Toxicity – System Of A Down

Toxicity was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, California. Over thirty songs were recorded, but the band narrowed the number of songs on the album to fourteen. The album peaked at number one on both the Billboard 200 and the Canadian Albums Chart, sold 220,000 copies in its first week of release, was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in November 2002, and has sold at least 2,700,000 copies in the United States. All of Toxicity's singles reached the Billboard Hot 100. The final single, "Aerials", went to number one on both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and the Modern Rock Tracks charts. Toxicity received mainly positive ratings and reviews from critics, among them perfect ratings from AllMusic, Kerrang!, and Blabbermouth.net. Many critics praised the album's sound and innovation.

The promotional shows for Toxicity resulted in a number of controversial incidents. A six-hour riot ensued at a free concert in Hollywood the day before the album's release as a result of the show's cancellation due to an overcrowded show; the crowd in attendance was estimated to be at least twice the size which was expected. Another scheduled System of a Down performance was cancelled to prevent a similar riot, and the band then toured with Slipknot. Bassist Shavo Odadjian was harassed, ethnically insulted, and physically beaten by guards when he tried to enter backstage at a concert in October 2001. Regardless, the tour was successful, and System of a Down later co-headlined a leg of Slipknot's Iowa World Tour.

AllMusic rating: