"Toxicity" | ||||
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![]() Cover of the CD 2 UK Import of "Toxicity". | ||||
Single by System of a Down | ||||
from the album Toxicity | ||||
B-side | "Störaged" | |||
Released | January 22, 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2001 | |||
Studio | Cello Studios, Hollywood | |||
Genre | Nu metal[1][2] | |||
Length | 3:39 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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System of a Down singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Toxicity" on YouTube |
"Toxicity" is a single by American heavy metal band System of a Down, released in 2002. It was originally released on the album of the same name. The writing credits for the song are Malakian, Odadjian, and Tankian. It is known for its dynamic chorus, aggressive vocals, and prominent drum beat. The song is predominantly in triple meter, alternating between 6
4, 12
8 and 4
4 time. The guitar during the verse plays in 6
4 using a 2+2+2 phrasing while the heavy part ("somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep") makes use of a hemiola with the guitar switching to a 3+3+3+3 pattern while the drums remain in compound duple meter until the bridge. The song was ranked number 14 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs,[3] and was called a nu metal classic by Stylus Magazine.[2]
#14 Toxicity, System of a Down