KEY POINTS:
Herald Rating: * * *
Label: Warners
Verdict: System of a Down singer's solid solo debut
You could always rely on System of a Down to give your neck muscles a workout and syringe those ears. But when the American mainstream metallers announced they were going on hiatus last year they had many fans reaching for the steel cotton buds.
Then along comes singer, and now New Zealand resident, Serj Tankian, to save the day. His debut solo album has System's trademark quiet vs heavy dynamic, coupled with his political spews and trills, yet it lacks the potency of his band's albums.
Tankian plays most of the instruments, apart from drum duties shared by System's John Dolmayan and Bryan "Brain" Mantia (Guns N' Roses/Godflesh/Primus). Along with Tankian's dextrous voice, the drums drive the songs along, be it the bouncy bashing of Lie Lie Lie or the frenzied outbursts of The Unthinking Majority. What's missing though is the visceral and attacking guitar of System's Daron Malakian. While the guitars are heavy on songs like warped epic Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition they sound muted.
Tankian's politics are always good to hear though sometimes he tries to fit too much in and it sounds clumsy. Still, it's good for the neck muscles and the mind.
