Toxicity cover art

  Studio Album · No. 2

Toxicity Songwriting Credits by System of a Down

2001 American Recordings 14 tracks 44 min

Produced by Rick Rubin, Daron Malakian  ·  Engineered by Andy Wallace, David Schiffman, Greg Collins, Darren Mora, Al Sanderson, Ryan McCormick, Jim Champagne, Eddy Schreyer

American Recordings Alternative MetalNu MetalProgressive Rock
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 14 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 14 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether System of a Down carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
14 trackswritten by System of a Down 0 tracksoutside writers
System of a Down's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
2
Lyricists
2
Producers
12 million
Worldwide Copies Sold
2001
Released

Awards & Recognition 2

Best Metal Performance (2002, Nominated)
Best Hard Rock Performance (2003, Nominated)
Data Insight

Toxicity marked Daron Malakian's first time co-producing alongside Rick Rubin, a role he would keep for the rest of the band's catalog. Malakian composed the bulk of the music, with Shavo Odadjian co-writing on 'Toxicity' and 'Jet Pilot,' while Serj Tankian handled most lyrics and several tracks credited Tankian and Malakian jointly. The album folded folk, jazz, hip hop, progressive rock, and Middle Eastern textures into its alternative and nu metal core. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and became the band's commercial breakthrough.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Prison Song
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
2
Needles
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Serj TankianDaron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
3
Deer Dance
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
4
Jet Pilot
Daron Malakian Shavo OdadjianDaron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
5
X
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
6
Chop Suey! #76
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
7
Bounce
Serj Tankian Shavo OdadjianDaron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
8
Forest
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
9
ATWA
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
10
Science
Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
11
Shimmy
Serj Tankian Serj Tankian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
12
Toxicity #70
Serj Tankian Shavo OdadjianDaron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
13
Psycho
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)
14
Aerials #55
Serj TankianDaron Malakian Daron Malakian Rick RubinDaron Malakian Serj Tankian (Lead Vocals)Daron Malakian (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 4 contributors

More from System of a Down

Frequently Asked Questions Toxicity

Who produced Toxicity?
Toxicity was co-produced by Rick Rubin and the band's guitarist Daron Malakian. It was Malakian's first time co-producing a System of a Down album, a role he continued on every subsequent studio record. Andy Wallace handled the mixing and David Schiffman engineered.
How successful was Toxicity?
Toxicity debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling about 220,000 copies in its first week. It has been certified 6x Platinum by the RIAA in the United States and has sold at least 12 million copies worldwide, making it the band's signature album.
Did Chop Suey! win a Grammy?
No. 'Chop Suey!' was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 2002 Grammy Awards but did not win. The song reached number 76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the band's signature song.
What was the biggest hit from Toxicity?
'Aerials' was the album's biggest chart success, reaching number one on both Billboard's Alternative Airplay and Mainstream Rock charts. It peaked at number 55 on the Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2003.
Who wrote the songs on Toxicity?
Daron Malakian composed most of the music, with bassist Shavo Odadjian co-writing the music on 'Toxicity' and 'Jet Pilot.' Serj Tankian wrote most of the lyrics, while songs such as 'Chop Suey!' and 'Aerials' credit lyrics to both Tankian and Malakian.
What genres does Toxicity blend?
Toxicity is built on alternative metal and nu metal but incorporates folk, jazz, hip hop, progressive rock, and Middle Eastern music. This stylistic range, paired with Daron Malakian's compositions, helped distinguish it from its nu-metal peers.
Who mixed Toxicity?
The album was mixed by Andy Wallace, known for his work on Nirvana's Nevermind. David Schiffman served as engineer and Eddy Schreyer mastered the record.

Sources