System of a Down's self-titled major-label debut finds the Los Angeles band consolidating its gothic alt-metal, sharpening its deadly riffs, strengthening its brutal rhythms, and adding muscle to its attack. The band differentiates itself from the legions of Southern Californian alt-metalheads by emphasizing its Armenian musical heritage, which gives the music an eerie, otherworldly quality. Part of the success of System of a Down lies with producer Rick Rubin, who helps give the band focus, but ultimately the record works because of the band itself, since they have contributed a set of strong songs that illustrates this is a band that relies on smarts as well as sound.

1        Suite-Pee    2:32
2        Know    2:57
3        Sugar    2:34
4        Suggestions    2:45
5        Spiders    3:35
6        Ddevil    1:43
7        Soil    3:26
8        War?    2:41
9        Mind    6:16
10        Peephole    4:04
11        CUBErt    1:49
12        Darts    2:43
13        P.L.U.C.K. (Politically Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers.)    3:38