Editing System of a Down (section)

== Artistry ==
=== Lyrical themes ===
System of a Down's lyrics are often oblique<ref name="AllmusicToxicity">{{cite web |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |url=https://allmusic.com/album/toxicity-r547443/review |title=Toxicity – System of a Down |website=AllMusic |date=September 4, 2001 |access-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-date=April 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429055747/http://allmusic.com/album/toxicity-r547443/review |url-status=live }}</ref> or [[dadaist]]<ref name="AllmusicToxicity" /><ref name=popmattersmezmerize/> and have discussed topics such as drug abuse,<ref name="AllmusicToxicity" /> politics<ref name="AllmusicToxicity" /><ref name="AllmusicMezmerize">{{cite web |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |url=https://allmusic.com/album/mezmerize-r737666/review |title=Mezmerize – System of a Down |website=AllMusic |date=May 17, 2005 |access-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426234223/http://allmusic.com/album/mezmerize-r737666/review |url-status=live }}</ref> and suicide.<ref name="AllmusicToxicity" /> "Prison Song" criticizes the [[War on Drugs]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sinclair |first=Tom |url=https://ew.com/article/2001/09/03/system-down/ |title=System of a Down |magazine=EW.com |date=January 17, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019101653/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,173181,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> whereas ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' describes "Roulette" as a "scared, wounded love letter".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/272714/review/6067555/steal_this_album |title=Rolling Stone : System of a Down: Steal This Album : Music Reviews |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=November 19, 2002 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410071853/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/272714/review/6067555/steal_this_album |archive-date=April 10, 2009 }}</ref> "Boom!", among the band's most straightforward and unambiguous songs, lambasts [[globalization]] and spending on bombs and armament.<ref name="nmestealthisalbum">{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/6887 |title=NME Reviews – System Of A Down : Steal this Album |publisher=Nme.com |date=September 12, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=January 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126042800/http://www.nme.com/reviews/6887 |url-status=live }}</ref> Commenting on the track "I-E-A-I-A-I-O", drummer John Dolmayan said it was inspired by an encounter he had with ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s actor [[David Hasselhoff]] in a liquor store in Los Angeles when he was around 12.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hartmann|first1=Graham|title=System of a Down's John Dolmayan Reveals Lyrical Inspiration for 'I-E-A-I-A-I-O'|url=http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-john-dolmayan-lyrical-inspiration-i-e-a-i-a-i-o/|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|publisher=[[Townsquare Media]]|access-date=August 2, 2014|date=July 14, 2014|archive-date=July 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721043444/http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-john-dolmayan-lyrical-inspiration-i-e-a-i-a-i-o/|url-status=live}}</ref> On ''[[Mezmerize]]'', "Cigaro" makes explicit references to [[phalus|phallic imagery]]<ref name="ewmezmerize" /> and [[bureaucracy]]<ref name=popmattersmezmerize/> while "Violent Pornography" harshly views television<ref name=ewmezmerize>{{cite magazine |last=Sinclair |first=Tom |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/05/16/mezmerize/ |title=Mezmerize |magazine=EW.com |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019102759/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1060789,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and degradation of women.<ref name=pitchforkmezmerize>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11839-mezmerize-hypnotize/ |title=System of a Down: Mezmerize / Hypnotize &#124; Album Reviews |publisher=Pitchfork.com |date=November 21, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319043055/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11839-mezmerize-hypnotize/ |url-status=live }}</ref> System of a Down's discontent toward the controversial [[Iraq War]] arises in "B.Y.O.B.",<ref name=popmattersmezmerize>{{cite web |last=Begrand |first=Adrien |url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/systemofadown-mesmerize/ |title=System of a Down: Mezmerize |date=May 24, 2005 |publisher=PopMatters.com |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630164102/http://www.popmatters.com/review/systemofadown-mesmerize/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/7309436/review/7313411/mezmerize |title=Rolling Stone : System of a Down: Mezmerize : Music Reviews |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=June 2, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423133511/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/7309436/review/7313411/mezmerize |archive-date=April 23, 2009 }}</ref> which is a [[double entendre]] reference to beer and bombs,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20147981,00.html |title=Picks and Pans Review: System of a Down |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=June 27, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019112112/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20147981,00.html |archive-date=October 19, 2014  }}</ref> containing the forthright lyric "Why don't presidents fight the war? Why do they always send the poor?",<ref name=popmattersmezmerize/><ref name=ewmezmerize/><ref name=pitchforkmezmerize/> "Old School Hollywood" describes a celebrity baseball game.<ref name=pitchforkmezmerize/><ref name=popmattershypnotize>{{cite web |last=Begrand |first=Adrien |url=https://www.popmatters.com/review/systemofadown-hypnotize/ |title=System of a Down: Hypnotize |date=November 21, 2005 |publisher=PopMatters.com |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630164108/http://www.popmatters.com/review/systemofadown-hypnotize/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On their album "Hypnotize", "Tentative" describes [[war]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-11-21-listen-up_x.htm |title=USATODAY.com – System of a Down zooms way up with 'Hypnotize' |publisher=Usatoday30.usatoday.com |date=November 21, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017190609/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2005-11-21-listen-up_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=rshypnotize>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/7690031/review/8796404/hypnotize |title=System of a Down: Hypnotize : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=November 17, 2005 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205091302/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/systemofadown/albums/album/7690031/review/8796404/hypnotize |archive-date=February 5, 2010  }}</ref> "Hypnotize" refers to the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989|Tiananmen Square events]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/system-of-a-down/hypnotize.htm |title=System Of A Down – Hypnotize – Review |work=Stylusmagazine.com |access-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106202445/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/system-of-a-down/hypnotize.htm |archive-date=November 6, 2015  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.popmatters.com/systemofadown-hypnotize-2496074979.html|title=System of a Down: Hypnotize|date=November 21, 2005|work=PopMatters|access-date=March 5, 2018|language=en|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620233911/https://www.popmatters.com/systemofadown-hypnotize-2496074979.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and "Lonely Day" describes [[angst]].<ref name=popmattershypnotize/> The album title ''[[Steal This Album!]]'' is a play on the book ''[[Steal This Book]]'' by [[left-wing politics|left-wing political activist]] [[Abbie Hoffman]].<ref name=nmestealthisalbum/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1458163/systems-stolen-tracks-compiled-on-steal-this-album/ |title=System's Stolen Tracks Compiled On Steal This Album |publisher=MTV.com |date=October 16, 2002 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717092106/http://www.mtv.com/news/1458163/systems-stolen-tracks-compiled-on-steal-this-album/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Milner |first=Greg |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/system-down-steal-album-american-recordingscolumbia/ |title=System of a Down, 'Steal This Album!' Review |publisher=Spin.com |date=June 20, 2003 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620140356/http://www.spin.com/reviews/system-down-steal-album-american-recordingscolumbia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> System of a Down's firm commitment for the [[Armenian genocide]] to be recognized appears in two songs: "P.L.U.C.K." and "Holy Mountains", which rank among the band's most political songs.<ref name=rshypnotize/>

=== Music ===
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of [[AllMusic]] stated "Like many late-'90s [[Heavy metal music|metal]] bands System of a Down struck a balance between '80s underground [[thrash metal]] and metallic early-'90s [[alternative rock]]ers like [[Jane's Addiction]]".<ref name="Erlewine"/> System of a Down's music is influenced by elements of numerous styles, including [[alternative rock]],<ref name="newstead">{{cite news |last1=Newstead |first1=Al |title=A beginner's guide to System Of A Down |url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/system-of-a-down-beginners-guide-j-files-songs-biography-guide/102854586 |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=Double J |date=14 September 2023}}</ref> [[art rock]], [[classic rock]],<ref name="revolver7things" /> [[gothic rock]],<ref name="spinmilner">{{cite news |last1=Milner |first1=Greg |title=My Life in Music: Serj Tankian |work=SPIN Magazine |date=23 June 2003}}</ref> [[hip hop]],<ref name="ls22">{{cite news |last1=Everley |first1=Dave |title="Public Enemy was a bad-ass thing": these are the 11 albums that changed SOAD bassist Shavo Odadjian's life |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/system-of-a-downs-shavo-odadjian-10-albums-that-changed-my-life |access-date=2 June 2024 |work=LouderSound |date=24 May 2022}}</ref> [[jazz]],<ref name="revolver7things" /> various genres of [[Heavy metal music|metal]] including [[thrash metal]] and even [[Norwegian black metal]],<ref name="newstead" /><ref name="revolver7things" /> and [[Middle Eastern music]].<ref name="interview_nalbandian">{{cite web| last= Nalbandian| first= Bob| title= Interview with System of a Down| work= Shockwaves Online| url= http://www.hardradio.com/hr3.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hardradio.com%2Fshockwaves%2Fsystem1.php3| access-date= July 21, 2007| archive-date= July 19, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110719185417/http://www.hardradio.com/hr3.html?http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hardradio.com%2Fshockwaves%2Fsystem1.php3| url-status= live}}</ref> System of a Down's music has variously been termed [[alternative metal]],<ref name="Erlewine">{{cite web | first = Stephen Thomas | last = Erlewine | title = Biography of System of a Down | website = Allmusic | url = https://allmusic.com/artist/system-of-a-down-p302874/biography | access-date = July 11, 2015 | archive-date = January 14, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110114000226/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/system-of-a-down-p302874/biography | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Choose System of a Down's Set List This Summer |date= April 8, 2011 |magazine= [[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] |url= http://www.revolvermag.com/news/choose-system-of-a-downs-set-list-this-summer.html |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= June 13, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170613111356/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/choose-system-of-a-downs-set-list-this-summer.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first= Jason |last= Lipshutz |title= System Of A Down, Deftones Team For Summer Tour |date= April 8, 2011 |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/491431/system-of-a-down-deftones-team-for-summer-tour |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= February 3, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160203023142/http://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/491431/system-of-a-down-deftones-team-for-summer-tour |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first= Tim |last= Grierson |title= Top 10 Rock Albums of the '00s |publisher= [[About.com]] |url= http://rock.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/BestRockAlbums2000s.htm |access-date= February 14, 2016 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160217043131/http://rock.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/BestRockAlbums2000s.htm |archive-date= February 17, 2016 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first= Amy |last= Sciaretto |title= Loud Rock |journal= [[CMJ New Music Report]] |date= July 28, 2003 |issue= 824 |page= 23 |issn= 0006-2510 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yTx2g_J6SHoC&q=%22system+of+a+down%22&pg=PA23 |access-date= November 7, 2020 |archive-date= March 23, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230323113306/https://books.google.com/books?id=yTx2g_J6SHoC&q=%22system+of+a+down%22&pg=PA23 |url-status= live }}</ref> [[nu metal]],<ref>{{cite book|first=Tommy|last=Udo|title=Brave Nu World|year=2002|publisher=Sanctuary Publishing|isbn=1-86074-415-X|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/183 183–185, 242]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bravenuworld00tomm/page/183}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Eric|editor-last=Weisbard|title=This is Pop: in Search of the Elusive at Experience Music Project|url=https://archive.org/details/thisispopinsearc00weis|url-access=registration|year=2004|publisher=[[Harvard University Press]]|isbn=0-674-01344-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/thisispopinsearc00weis/page/220 220]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-nu-metal-bands.htm |title=Top Ten Nu-Metal Bands |work=[[Stylus Magazine]] |date=September 10, 2004 |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171513/http://stylusmagazine.com/articles/staff_top_10/top-ten-nu-metal-bands.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first= James |last= Grebey |title= Watch System of a Down's Full First-Ever Concert in Armenia |journal= [[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date= April 23, 2015 |access-date= December 11, 2015 |url= http://www.spin.com/2015/04/system-of-a-down-armenia-armenian-genocide-concert-watch-stream/ |archive-date= March 20, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170320112522/http://www.spin.com/2015/04/system-of-a-down-armenia-armenian-genocide-concert-watch-stream/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first= Sarah |last= Bella |title= Serj Tankian Nixes Talk of New System of a Down Album |journal= [[Music Feeds]] |date= August 1, 2013 |url= http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/serj-tankian-nixes-talk-of-new-system-of-a-down-album/ |access-date= December 11, 2015 |archive-date= June 22, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170622122928/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/serj-tankian-nixes-talk-of-new-system-of-a-down-album/ |url-status= live }}</ref> [[hard rock]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.spin.com/2013/07/system-of-a-down-new-album-drama/ |title= System of a Down Hint at New Album After Denying Internal Drama |first= Marc |last= Hogan |magazine= Spin |date= July 31, 2013 |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191609/http://www.spin.com/2013/07/system-of-a-down-new-album-drama/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76980/system-of-a-down-to-headline-ozzfest |title= System Of A Down To Headline Ozzfest |magazine= Billboard |date= January 29, 2002 |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= March 6, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306054109/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/76980/system-of-a-down-to-headline-ozzfest |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Lullaby Versions Of SYSTEM OF A DOWN Due This Week |url= http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lullaby-versions-of-system-of-a-down-due-this-week/ |work= [[Blabbermouth.net]] |date= October 21, 2013 |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= March 3, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203943/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lullaby-versions-of-system-of-a-down-due-this-week/ |url-status= live }}</ref> [[progressive metal]],<ref name="rollstone">{{cite magazine|last=Serpick |first=Evan |title=System of a Down&nbsp;— Prog-metal Radicals |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 15, 2005 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957307/system_of_a_down |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029235443/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/8957307/system_of_a_down |archive-date=October 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date =August 22, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= Jay |last= Cridlin |title= System of a Down's Serj Tankian coming to the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg |date= June 24, 2010 |newspaper= [[Tampa Bay Times]] |url= http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/soundcheck/content/system-downs-serj-tankian-coming-mahaffey-theater-st-petersburg |access-date= February 14, 2016 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160217004937/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/soundcheck/content/system-downs-serj-tankian-coming-mahaffey-theater-st-petersburg |archive-date= February 17, 2016 |df= mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= Chris |last= Harris |title= System Of A Down Top ''Billboard'' With ''Mezmerize'' |date= May 25, 2005 |publisher= [[MTV News]] |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/1502898/system-of-a-down-top-billboard-with-mezmerize/ |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= March 2, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160302111130/http://www.mtv.com/news/1502898/system-of-a-down-top-billboard-with-mezmerize/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]],<ref name="Erlewine"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Jessiva|last=Gelt|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-serj-tankian-snap-20161101-story.html|title=System of a Down's Serj Tankian goes classical with symphonic concerts in Northridge|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 6, 2016|access-date=August 29, 2019|url-access=limited|archive-date=August 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829053101/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-ca-cm-serj-tankian-snap-20161101-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  [[thrash metal]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10761508|title=System of a Down set for NZ show|newspaper=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=November 2, 2012|date=October 25, 2011|archive-date=December 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202130436/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10761508|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title= System of a Down |date= December 2015 |magazine= Guitar Techniques |url= https://archive.org/stream/Guitar_Techniques_December_2015/Guitar_Techniques_December_2015_djvu.txt |access-date= February 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first= Brendan |last= Boughen |title= Serart |date= August 31, 2003 |publisher= The Phantom Tollbooth |url= http://www.tollbooth.org/2003/reviews/serj.html |access-date= February 14, 2016 |archive-date= March 28, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160328154028/http://www.tollbooth.org/2003/reviews/serj.html |url-status= live }}</ref> [[art rock]],<ref name="Archive Biography" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Christgau | first=Robert | title=Reviews of System of a Down | url=http://robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=system+of+a+down | access-date=April 2, 2009 | archive-date=June 29, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629173114/http://robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=system+of+a+down | url-status=live }}</ref> and [[avant-garde metal]].<ref name="mtv1">{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Chris|title=System Of A Down Mezmerize NYC With Crushing 90-Minute Gig|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1501594/system-down-mezmerize-nyc-crowd.jhtml|work=[[MTV]]|publisher=[[Viacom (2005–2019)|Viacom International]]|access-date=May 10, 2012|date=May 10, 2005|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108174450/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1501594/system-down-mezmerize-nyc-crowd.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Archive Biography">{{cite web|title=Archive Biography|url=http://rock.about.com/od/systemofadown/p/soad.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075217/http://rock.about.com/od/systemofadown/p/soad.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>
Malakian has stated that "We don't belong to any one scene"<ref name="Morse">{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Morse |title=''Pounding out a blistering attack: System of a Down lashes out at Hollywood, war, and hypocrisy'' |url=https://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/08/26/pounding_out_a_blistering_attack/ |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 26, 2005 |access-date=April 5, 2009 |archive-date=July 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705052346/http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2005/08/26/pounding_out_a_blistering_attack/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and that "I don't like the nu-metal [[dropped A tuning|drop-A]] [[7-string guitar]] sound; it is not my thing, at least not yet."<ref name="Perry">{{cite book |last1=Perry |first1=Megan |title=Wired: musicians' home studios : tools & techniques of the musical mavericks |year=2004 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=0-87930-794-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/wiredmusiciansho0000perr/page/79 79] |chapter=Daron's Guitar Tunings |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/wiredmusiciansho0000perr/page/79 |chapter-url-access=registration}}</ref> In interview with Mike Lancaster, he also said, "People always seem to feel the need to put us into a category, but we just don't fit into any category."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glendalehigh.com/malakian.html |title=The Daron Malakian Interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415015217/http://www.glendalehigh.com/malakian.html |archive-date=15 April 2009 |orig-date=28 March 2003 |access-date=12 October 2021 |work=Glendale High School Newspaper |first=Mike |last=Lancaster}}</ref> According to Tankian, "As far as arrangement and everything, [our music] is pretty much [[Popular music|pop]]. To me, System of a Down isn't a progressive band. [...] But it's not a typical pop project, obviously. We definitely pay attention to the music to make sure that it's not something someone's heard before."<ref name="DeRogatis">{{Cite news|first=Jim|last=DeRogatis|title=''They're an Armenian band''|url=http://www.jimdero.com/News2001/Sept14SOAD.htm|work=The Chicago Tribune|date=September 14, 2001|access-date=April 4, 2009|archive-date=April 10, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410065131/http://www.jimdero.com/News2001/Sept14SOAD.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Malakian once described their music "as if [[Slayer]] and [[the Beatles]] had a baby."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Revolver |title=System of a Down's Daron Malakian: Why I Love Slayer's 'Show No Mercy' |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-downs-daron-malakian-why-i-love-slayers-show-no-mercy |website=Revolver |date=December 3, 2021 |access-date=6 January 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106032702/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-downs-daron-malakian-why-i-love-slayers-show-no-mercy |url-status=live }}</ref>

The band has used a wide range of instruments, such as [[electric mandolin]]s, [[baritone guitar|baritone electric guitars]], [[acoustic guitar]]s, [[oud]]s, [[sitar]]s, and [[twelve string guitar]]s.<ref name="8notes">{{cite web| title = System of a Down biography| work = 8notes.com| url = http://www.8notes.com/biographies/system_of_a_down.asp#History.2C_style_and_influences| access-date = June 26, 2006| archive-date = January 25, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120125233557/http://www.8notes.com/biographies/system_of_a_down.asp#History.2C_style_and_influences| url-status = live}}</ref> According to Malakian, he would often write songs in [[E♭ tuning]], which would later be changed to [[drop C tuning]] in order to be performed by the band.<ref name="Perry" /> Malakian states that "For me, the drop-C tuning is right down the center. It has enough of the clarity and the crisp sound—most of our riffy stuff is done on the top two strings, anyway—but it's also thicker and ballsier."<ref name="Perry" />

=== Influences and comparison to other artists ===
System of a Down's influences include [[Middle Eastern music]],<ref name="interview_nalbandian"/> [[Rush (band)|Rush]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Rockingham |first=Graham |url=http://www.2112.net/powerwindows/transcripts/20130413hamiltonspectator.htm |title=Graciously BITTER |work=[[The Hamilton Spectator]] |date=April 13, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2024}}</ref> [[Ozzy Osbourne]],<ref name="Morse" /><ref name="interview_nalbandian" /> [[Black Sabbath]],<ref name=FBPO/> [[Led Zeppelin]],<ref name=FBPO/> [[Def Leppard]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Morbid Angel]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Death (metal band)|Death]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Eazy-E]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[N.W.A]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Run-DMC]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Umm Kulthum]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Abdel Halim Hafez]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[The Kinks]],<ref name=DaronAlbums>{{cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-down-and-scars-broadways-daron-malakian-albums-made-me |title=System of a Down and Scars on Broadway's Daron Malakian: The Albums That Made Me |work=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] |date=July 25, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |last=Appleford |first=Steve |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810010857/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-down-and-scars-broadways-daron-malakian-albums-made-me |url-status=live }}</ref> [[the Bee Gees]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[Grateful Dead]],<ref name=DaronAlbums/> [[The Beatles]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/daron_malakian_there_is_no_new_system_of_a_down_album_planned.html |title=Daron Malakian: There Is No New System of a Down Album Planned |publisher=[[Ultimate-Guitar.com]] |last=Rosen |first=Steven |date=July 6, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231301/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/daron_malakian_there_is_no_new_system_of_a_down_album_planned.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]],<ref name=FBPO>{{cite web |url=http://forbassplayersonly.com/shavo-odadjian/ |title=Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian opens up about System Of A Down |work=For Bass Plays Only |last=Liebman |first=Jon |date=January 1, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231954/http://forbassplayersonly.com/shavo-odadjian/ |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Dead Kennedys]],<ref name=NYRock/> [[Bauhaus (band)|Bauhaus]],<ref name="Collins">{{cite web |author1=Dillon Collins |title=SERJ TANKIAN Discusses His Varied Solo Career, Not Being Tied To One Genre Anymore |url=https://metalinjection.net/interviews/serj-tankian-discusses-his-varied-solo-career-not-being-tied-to-one-genre-anymore |website=Metal Injection |access-date=23 November 2022 |date=November 21, 2022 |quote=From Depeche Mode to Radiohead, Tankian's tastes and influences on Perplex Cities venture into areas far removed from his heavy metal roots." Serj Tankian: "Yeah, definitely, I was into Depeche Mode and New Order and a lot of the kind of goth bands, goth pop type of bands as well Bauhaus. It definitely has all those elements that I like, and even Radiohead. Kind of a little of the Kid A starting Radiohead moments. There's a lot of that, but it's mostly experimentation and kind of this brooding attitude, but it becomes more intimate. Like there's something more intimate and something deeper about it than a lot of the rock songs that are very kind of upbeat and sung high and, you know, mighty and epic. There's kind of like the opposite effect here. And that's what I liked about it." |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123171129/https://metalinjection.net/interviews/serj-tankian-discusses-his-varied-solo-career-not-being-tied-to-one-genre-anymore |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Depeche Mode]],<ref name="Collins" /> [[New Order (band)|New Order]],<ref name="Collins" /> [[Radiohead]],<ref name="Collins" /> [[Metallica]],<ref name=TankianAlbums>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/system-of-a-down-serj-tankian-the-10-albums-that-changed-my-life |title=Serj Tankian: The 10 albums that changed my life |last=Alderslade |first=Merlin |work=[[Metal Hammer]] |date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729200620/https://www.loudersound.com/features/system-of-a-down-serj-tankian-the-10-albums-that-changed-my-life |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Miles Davis]],<ref name=TankianAlbums/> [[Alice in Chains]],<ref name="Eakin">{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/serj-tankian-on-his-musical-firsts-and-learning-to-love-1798233456 |title=Serj Tankian on his musical firsts and learning to love Iron Maiden |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |last=Eakin |first=Marah |date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231715/https://music.avclub.com/serj-tankian-on-his-musical-firsts-and-learning-to-love-1798233456 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Iron Maiden]],<ref name="Eakin"/> [[Bad Brains]],<ref name=NYRock>{{cite web |url=http://76.12.46.30/interviews/2000/system.asp |title=Interview with System of a Down |work=NY Rock |author=Gabriella |date=November 2000 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930232022/http://76.12.46.30/interviews/2000/system.asp |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Slayer]],<ref name="interview_nalbandian" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-downs-daron-malakian-slayers-influence-farewell-tour |title=System of a Down's Daron Malakian on Slayer's Influence, Farewell Tour |work=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]] |date=June 6, 2018 |access-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-date=September 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231534/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/system-downs-daron-malakian-slayers-influence-farewell-tour |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Van Halen]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/daron-malakian-on-system-of-a-down-as-bandmembers-we-tend-to-have-different-ways-of-wanting-to-do-things | title=DARON MALAKIAN on SYSTEM OF a DOWN: 'As Bandmembers, We Tend to Have Different Ways of Wanting to do Things' | date=April 30, 2019 | access-date=November 15, 2022 | archive-date=November 15, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115171301/https://blabbermouth.net/news/daron-malakian-on-system-of-a-down-as-bandmembers-we-tend-to-have-different-ways-of-wanting-to-do-things | url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/serj-tankian-says-system-of-a-down-bandmate-daron-malakian-first-turned-him-on-to-metal/ |title=Serj Tankian Says System of a Down Bandmate Daron Malakian First Turned Him on to Metal |first=Chad |last=Childers |date=May 11, 2012 |website=[[Loudwire]] |access-date=June 11, 2015 |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612161614/http://loudwire.com/serj-tankian-says-system-of-a-down-bandmate-daron-malakian-first-turned-him-on-to-metal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> One reviewer claimed that their music encompasses different sounds, from sounding like "[[Fugazi]] playing Rush" to sometimes "tread[ing] close to [[Frank Zappa]] territory."<ref name="Sinclair">{{cite magazine | last=Sinclair | first=Tom | title=Review of ''Toxicity'' | url=https://ew.com/article/2001/09/03/system-down/ | date=September 3, 2001 | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | access-date=April 2, 2009 | archive-date=October 19, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019101653/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,173181,00.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Malakian has stated that "I'm a fan of music. I'm not necessarily a fan of any one band."<ref>{{Cite news |title=''Many musical influences in System of a Down'' |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LB&p_theme=lb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10FB700A80EB8CC8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |work=[[Long Beach Press-Telegram]] |date=August 3, 2005 |access-date=April 5, 2009 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018025813/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LB&p_theme=lb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10FB700A80EB8CC8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }}</ref> Dolmayan stated "I don't think we sound like anybody else. I consider us System of a Down."<ref name="soad_myspace" /> Odadjian stated "You can compare us to whoever you want. I don't care. Comparisons and labels have no effect on this band. Fact is fact: We are who we are and they are who they are."<ref name="soad_myspace">{{cite web| title= Official System of a Down MySpace| work= myspace.com/soad| url= http://myspace.com/soad| access-date= July 21, 2007| archive-date= August 20, 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110820055807/http://www.myspace.com/soad| url-status= live}}</ref>