System of a Down - B.Y.O.B.

System of a Down’s music is unapologetically political, even if you don’t necessarily understand all the words. Even non-metal fans are ready and raring to join in screaming to Chop Suey, even if what comes out of their mouth is closer to, “Wake up! wake up. Grab a hmm hmm hmm hmm,” than the actual words. System of a Down is an Amernian heavy metal band formed in California, and Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards) and the gang (Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan on guitar and vocals, bass and backing vocals, and drums, respectively) have been around since the mid-nineties.

Their songs are heavy, political, and, maybe most of all, angry. Serj and the rest rail against a multitude of oppressive and outdated institutions, violent conflicts, and much more. There are gentler moments, but the band doesn’t pull punches. Whether their opinions are your cup of tea or not, you can’t deny they make great music, and the passion behind them is palpable.

For this week’s song, we’ve got B.Y.O.B., a mass of blasting drum beats, biting satirical lyrics, and aggressive riffs you can’t help but bang your head to. The song opens with a bite and alternates between smooth, melody-driven segments and sudden, almost violent, flurries of speed and energy. If the opening bites, the close of the song snaps its teeth shut with finality, ending things as quickly as they began. System of a Down’s music is plainly and unflinchingly theirs; they make what they want to, and it’s fueled by just anger, and their music embodies that anger.