This is SWEET! System Of A Down's "Sugar" gets vocally analyzed!

[@TheCharismaticVoice]

Use code CHARISMATIC50 to get 50% off your first Factor box at bit.ly/3qkTWIH

[@horimo8920]

Have you ever done a reaction to Ellen Greene? If not you should see one of her live performances. They are amazing.

[@venrakdrake]

Please do In Flames - Take This Life!

[@leonidasneves7972]

*GIRL!!* If u wanna a sample of what Serj can do with his voice, listen to MIND by them (doesn't have music video so do a lyric video) HIS VOICE IS INSANE IN THIS ONE

[@ЕвгенийФедотов-р2в]

Come on Russian Rock songs analysis! Please!

[@enzyme181]

You're gonna looooove Spiders🤘🤘🤘

[@alex2vallo]

Sugar was the first SOAD song I ever heard when I was 13. I think I became a fan about 10 seconds in.

[@frankvincent1408]

Same

[@imyoursuperbeast8220]

I remember seeing this on MTV. You know, that channel that actually used to play music?

[@DenisX4C]

Likewise

[@aTofuJunkie]

And this is why I've heard of Kombucha. 😂

[@mantism.d.8363]

Same bro...I used to listen to the local station at night before bed. And I'd always stay up way too late just so I could hear it again. Then be passing out in school the next day 😂

[@ladaddy19]

This is from the first album. Most of this album were available thru old-school demo tapes long before being recorded for this session. One of the things that makes this album so good is that they had almost zero experience doing a record in a legit studio. There are very few studio tricks. As good as the second album is, Serj admitted to using a ton of studio magic to make the album sound so heavy and clean. This period of time, the shows were insane. They had been perfecting these songs for years, live. They didn't need any tricks. Serj did most of the vocals with the other 2 mostly backing. Find a live video of this from 96 or 97 instead of 2006 and you'll see how good they really were.

[@shemsuhor8763]

Still their best album. Songs like PLUCK and Suggestions are still too damn good.

[@DefaultName-du3kr]

This is what people mean when they say new metal albums sound too clean. I know bands still go for a gritty sound these days but everything after 2005 sounds manufactured. We improved sound fidelity and then let them run with it.

[@rafaelromao777]

Só falo português Brasileiro, queria muito que fosse legendado pra saber o que você está dizendo, você é muito bonita e simpática, e aparenta entender muito de música! Uma pena brasileiros só entender a língua portuguesa e um pouco de espanhol. O inglês é mundial e não entendemos nada

[@100brich-xh1qv]

I believe the legendary Sylvia Massey was behind the desk recording this album. Interestingly you mention the minimalistic approach to studio trickery, which is interesting because later in Sylvia Massey's career, she became well known for some incredible "over-the-top" engineering techniques from the silo Snare drum to the chain of satellite phones reverb. There's a few good videos on YT of her sessions with SOAD and other stuff, truly amazing stuff!

[@Wkfusvhlsjhudmelhl]

You just gotta steal whatever album

[@eeveegee666]

This song is about state sponsored manufactured consent, the Sugar in question is the spoonful of distractions, comforts, and endorphins that make the medicine of its many passive and direct evils go down better. “Let your mother pray“ 🙏 Obviously, it’s also a total banger! Moshing to this live was legitimately cathartic. ❤Thank you for your analysis!

[@mrpinkybunny]

Yup. I never saw the video before but it confirms all of it.

[@alexisborden3191]

Not that separate entities didn't 'co-operate' like this in 1998 but I think Amazon really encapsulates this idea. The fun stories get told on the streaming service and the toys get sold on the store, and the real things happening in the world the atrocities and the uprisings alike are distorted by the Washington Post to fit Amazon's narrative. Not to say WP is worthless, but you gotta know that they are coming from the perspective of a corporation that exists to make as much money as possible, and it becomes pretty clear why they disparage and dismiss any kind of unionization at every turn.

[@da_blade5040]

VERY WELL PUT!! 👍💯

[@JasonPeltier]

bread and circuses

[@jamesgazley]

It's about the surgery substance growing on mushrooms they thought would cure aids..it's about hiv

[@peachminilla6364]

One of the things I love about Serj is how he lets himself sound zany and almost cartoonish, it’s one of the things that gives their music so much character.

[@takeyourheart1]

Serj does the “who” in “who can believe you” on the record and used to live early on, then Shavo started doing the “who” part live which makes sense, it’s gotta be hard to flip back and forth between a scream and singing, and to do it night after night, oof. This is my fave SOAD song, I love it so much. I am also on the train of people who say “Hypnotize” should be next.

[@brendengoodheart]

This would make sense, as I could jump from harsh to mid/light, but as I got older found this harder, plus got a bullshit flu which took me away from singing professionally ever again

[@papic7876]

"Vicinity Of Obscenity"

[@Fenthule]

yeah switching back and forth like that is pretty tricky, it took me A LOT of practice to be able to "turn on/off" those kinds of harsh vocals like that. Still get the occasional time where it blends instead of a clean switch.

[@impulse4079]

Most of the reason he stopped was because it would be easier to maintain breath control if he let Shavo do it. I wish he still did it but, you gotta do what you gotta do I guess.

[@JeremyB1993]

I think Hypnotize is a boring song (don't know why) but Serj's vocals are insane on it !

[@nodochitsu]

"You work a 9 to 5, and from 5 to 9 you're mine!" Not even in the song, literally the opening, but that is such a crazy bar. I remember coming home from school, my mom would come home at about 4 and then watch the news until 9 pm then sleep.

[@Annathroy]

It feels backwards and distorted

[@Papolucho702]

That is exactly the point- from. 9-5, your job owns you, from 5-9pm the news OWNS you. When you wake up… it all felt like a dream and yet you keep going. Getting that sugar hit! Lol Sadly. It owns my mother in law and she’s rotting her brain on the idiot box.

[@DarenMiller-qj7bu]

"Good evening. America lost."

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

If you've never been exposed to much Orthodox Christian music (byzantine, znamenny, coptic, armenian, georgian, syriac, assyrian, arabic, etc) a lot of the little nuances Serj uses in his singing incorporates those little flourishes come from those types of extended divisions of the octave. The octave is subdivided much more than the western 12 tone subdivision. It's the core of what gives SOAD's music that exotic vibe to western ears. When I started singing byzantine music in Church I was like "this reminds me of SOAD" 😅

[@twiddle7125]

Wow, shout out to my fellow Assyrians.

[@rainbowraver666]

oh yeah serj's vocals always reminds me of the armenian church I went to growing up 😂😂

[@erikpsanchez]

Now I need some recommendations of church music that sounds like soad 😂

[@Artofwar3004]

Any song to suggest that sounds like soad(byzantine)

[@rainbowraver666]

@@erikpsanchez oh man I wouldn't be able to name any b/c I don't speak Armenian (shameful I know 😭) but if you look up Armenian Church hymns you'll definitely see the similarities

[@Sylvie_X]

Serj Tankian is my favorite vocalist ever. He is so creative, and has a unique voice. There is no one else like him... well, except for that guy that made that Zelda song that sounds just like him, but other than that, nobody sounds like him.

[@leonemfrag3826]

The Rabbit Joint!

[@A_da_Nu_da]

Monopart?

[@Paehrin]

Okay so... I got this Zelda song saved somewhere. Dunno where I got it the first time... but what's the deal with it ? Never knew anything about it, just thought it was from them, but... never been sure about it ?

[@Narfmann369]

Between Serj and Maynard James Keenan, we are all extremely lucky to be alive at this time to hear them.

[@1ltphoto]

Serj is amazing. Sometimes I feel like Daron doesn't get enough credit for his voice. He compliments Serj's range so well.

[@nmmboy]

Such a classic! It was definitely a fun time when unique sounds like this entered the airwaves. “Hypnotize” gotta be the next song 🔥🔥🔥

[@johgu92]

Or Holy Mountains

[@Soundtracks92]

@@johgu92yesss Holy Mountains is one of their best

[@nmmboy]

@@johgu92 Definitely!

[@slayer18726]

Or Deer Dance

[@articade]

Or Lost in Hollywood

[@jereico7587]

"Holy Mountains" is a great one. As a Baritone singer, I LOVE that song because in my car I can belt it out and pretend for a few seconds that I'm singing opera. From a musicality/lyrics standpoint "Hypnotize" and "Mesmorize" are two songs that still go hand-in-hand for them. I vividly remember sitting in my dorm in college hearing the lyrics "Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen Square 'Was fashion the reason why you were there'?" That one line made me a fan of the band! Then after Hurricane Katrina I spent 3 weeks down in the Gulf Coast doing cleanup. Those two SOAD albums (Hypnotize/Mesmorize) really helped with my mentality. Hearing the beautiful harmonies amidst all the chaos of heavy metal was the same as life around me at the moment. We had to focus on the small beautiful moments of life and helping others while surrounds by hundreds of miles and billions of dollars in destruction. Those two albums probably shaped my college years and early adult life more than anything else.

[@carlosalbertogc]

I insist that Radio/Video gotta be the next song you hear!! Rithm changes, Daron and Serj singing together, clean beautiful voices and screams. And they sing this “La la la lalala laaaa” in the middle of the song in a very folky SOAD way.

[@FierceMouseLord]

Came here to say this... excellent song. I love the variety in the sound. It reminds me of klezmer

[@Deadwalker420]

This one needs to be done for sure

[@stefanblomberg3680]

Yea, totally agree, and the "harmonic" part (from 3.10) is just awesome as well. So many great SOAD songs (and just moments/sections within every song) I can listen to 10000 times and just get chilled every time😊❤)

[@broodmill]

This is such an overlooked masterpiece. Agreed this or at least sad statue

[@Vic-Vega]

No thx. Not even the fifth-best song on that album (and she's already analyzed one).

[@fish_bacon]

It's what keeps making me love SOAD so much .. the constant tempo shifts. Feels like you listened to 4 songs in one, in every single track.

[@Kittybegood]

So true! I'll bet you'd like Tub Ring idk if you know them, but they are like that too.

[@ChristKeuc]

sugar was released as one their first single off debut studio album. It was an underground hit before SOAD became an international success. The majority of the vocals on the first album were actually Serj, Daron did have lines but the majority was Serj

[@Sarc37]

This song was my first exposure to SOAD back in the late 90s. Grunge was dying and “Nu-metal” and rap-rock were dominating the airwaves, and these guys just came out of nowhere and blew everybody away. My buddies and I were just awestruck. I’ve been a fan ever since.

[@mariocastillo8334]

Sugar was a warning shot. Chop Suey was a nuclear detonation.

[@hegemonycricket2182]

I was at work in a kitchen when this song came out of the radio like a fireball. It was so striking, so interesting that i took a break and went outside to call the radio station to get the name of the band. The next day i bought the cd and i have been a huge fan since then, and still listen to their music almost daily. Amazing band.

[@terrymartin5839]

Each track on this album is an absolute trip. After all these years I think my favorites are Suggestions, DDevil, Soil, and P.L.U.C.K.

[@CT-nb5lm]

Bands with Albums like this are special. ~Godsmacks,BeastieBoys,Seether,,ThreeDaysGoofs.. ~I love it when you get a album from a new band because of a popullar radio song & discover a rreally great song.. 1st time this ever happened to me was GunsN Roses AppetiteForDestruction and WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE & Paradise City.. Those songs wouldn't be on the radio until months later.. SOAD is prob my fav. Everytime im waiting for wife on a fun day off im start blasting this w/ surround sound. (her dancing in a towell outta shower is a perk)

[@JamesonNichols]

I agree. Everything that isn’t sugar and spiders is soooo underrated

[@terrymartin5839]

@JamesonNichols that's how I felt about the first blind melon album too. Every other song on that album is ten times better than no rain and Hal the time I'll skip it if I do a listen through on an otherwise unskippable album.

[@na-tv6rn]

DDevil is a beast of a song!

[@frostchaotic3691]

DARTS!!!!

[@therealkakitron]

I was the bass player for a SOAD tribute band for a while, and I must say, as much as I love the band, your videos make me appreciate their music even more. Thank you!

[@TheCharismaticVoice]

That's awesome!

[@travisbeckner6849]

You need to hear "P.L.U.C.K." the last song on the first album and highly underrated and you get vocal ranges from both Serj and Darron that I'm sure will have you captivated

[@lazurusknight2724]

Looks like no one explained the 'mushroom people' phrase at the first. I originally heard the phrase in the military i.e. "You are treated like mushrooms; kept in the dark and fed bulls**t". That relates to the opening monologue fairly directly.

[@Robisquick]

One thing Serj is probably the greatest at out of any vocalist… is both enunciation and keeping on beat like exactly. Even when it’s fast, switching tempos.. he’s just so crisp.

[@ajhd2005]

YES you've released another one. I found your channel last night & sincerely your breakdowns are phenomenal. I watched every single SOAD breakdown chronologically and oh my god, the way you just instantaneously melted into their music with so much energy & emotion & passion was incredible. Watching you react so viscerally allowed me to experience the same feeling that I had hearing them for the first time all over again. The way you fell in love with Serj & Daron's vocals and how you learnt more and more about the band like you really cared about the music & the history/influences was honestly a joy to watch. You've earned yourself a new fan for life. Keep it up!!!!

[@sykoteddy]

Couldn't say it better myself! I don't know your other taste in music but she covers many different great bands & artists from the same era. I supposer you'll also like the reactions of Deftones, KoRn and possibly Tool. There's probably more I am forgetting but you'll find them eventually! Welcome to the Elizabeth Zharoff fan club :)

[@ryankoza7584]

Yay🎉

[@jessilytle3548]

I don’t know how anyone wasn’t gobsmacked immediately the first time they heard this. It’s just so…. Unique and startling and amazing. 😊

[@CT-nb5lm]

Im going to see Gobsmack in couple days. Im bummed that Dorky 'Extreme' is the guest.. My wife said for the very 1st time ever in 25 years "we can go @ 9pm instead of normal 7pm.

[@Haloruler64]

Even though I'm a huge SOAD fan I only ever listened to their newer albums. This is my first time hearing Sugar in full. I am indeed gobsmacked.

[@Meccarox]

@@Haloruler64 Bro you gotta listen to their 1st album, it's so perfect.

[@Haloruler64]

@@Meccarox I’m on it!

[@no1weezerfan]

sugar was what got me into soad, such an insane song

[@-8l-924]

Love your analyses. If you’re open to suggestions I’d definitely recommend “Holy Mountains”, “Hypnotize”, or “Lost in Hollywood” by System of a Down as next tracks to consider.

[@anaisr-p2.085]

Holy mountain is a must❤

[@TheMCzorro]

Or Chic 'N Stu

[@Rpm2878]

Cigaro

[@veRGe02]

Holy Mountains is so intense

[@Dimas_Lau]

If she's open to suggestions i'd recomend Suggestions

[@manoitin2208]

You really need to react to Holy Mountains, it‘s probably my favourite Soad song and it has a really strong message too

[@Streamline90]

Its just so nice that SOAD aren't afraid to be weird and it takes them to another level. So much variation and experimental stuff that fits perfectly together. No other band can capture this energy to this day.

[@derpderpin1568]

Well that last statement certainly isn't true or you just don't look around beyond what's on the radio.

[@Pcdrom]

Suggestions ? @@derpderpin1568

[@gr0tbagz]

This album is a huge part of teenage years, although if you want to hear Serj at his most creative and inventive, you really need to hear Suggestions from the same album, the way he sings is mind blowing

[@SgtGitaroo]

I don't know how Elizabeth can resist headbanging to that chorus. So much more professional than I could hope to be!

[@nicolejohnson900]

This was the first SOD song I ever heard way back in 1998 and it shook my 15 year old small town rebellious teenager heart to the core. I first saw SOD live at the SnoCore Tour 2000 with Incubus and Mr. Bungle, who I think you may enjoy as the lead singer is Mike Patton from Faith No More.

[@pandac2978]

Same, though it might have been 99’. Found it on the floor on a Sam Goody freebie along with Slayer and Clutch. I wanted merch, did it old fashioned way, sent my money and order by snail mail and waited 4-8 weeks. I LOVED that sweatshirt.

[@pickthestickup]

I think one of the most underrated displays of vocal variety from this album is the track "Suggestions"

[@nika.5223]

Hey, that one was stuck in my head 2 days ago 😂 love that song

[@luna-p]

One of my favorites

[@zembagaming7841]

@@luna-p you better get ready for the FIREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

[@gr0tbagz]

The high pitched 3rd verse and the Arabic holler 😮

[@tim4430]

That one and DDevil😮

[@Anni-wc5jx]

The world has lost an amazing comedienne! You are incredible! A professional in his field! I adore you!) from Russia with love 🇷🇺❤️

[@sykoteddy]

I know we've said before that Serg most likely would accept an interview, but what I think would be even cooler is a interview with both Serj and Daron at the same time, much because they complement eachother so good in singing. But also because Daron is my favorite, he dares to do and look like he just feel like. For me it have taken a half of lifetime to dare that :/ Great reaktion as always! 🤩🤘 Also, I find it really odd that your channel don't have more subscribers! Personally I followed you after the first reaction video of Will Ramos & Lorna Shore! 🖤

[@dangerkeith3000]

This is the song that got me into System of a Down. Their sound was so unique and the first album so good with no fillers. Even the B-sides to the singles are A-tier.

[@annamaysdaddy]

I love how Serj can make you feel a certain way by how he expresses words and the energy or lack of can express a feeling or thought he is an amazing vocalist!

[@joshdhankins]

SOAD is my all time favorite band. This song hooked me when it came out, and they have been my #1 ever since. Your reactions to SOAD are how I found your channel. I love these reactions. Also, as much as I love the SOAD videos, the greatest thing I’ve gotten out of your channel is finding Ren. Since your “Hi Ren” reaction I’ve had him on repeat and can’t get enough. Please do more Ren! Love the channel :)

[@D4WeeMaN]

I was 13, year 2000 and this is the first song I heard from SOAD, instantly hooked. I was still learning the basics of english language and I could barely understand "SUGAAAAH!" and "How do I feel? What do I say? FU it all goes away!" It was enough for me to say "Ok, I've got to listen to all their songs (and read lyrics) 'cause they got relevant hidden meaning". The structure in their songs was so bizzarre but enchanting at the same time. All time favourite.

[@jeffreyesguitar5129]

They were one of the few bands that had a website dedicated to interpreting their lyrics back in the day.

[@hdervish2497]

I learned so much about the prison industrial system and the Armenian genocide from studying their lyrics and following the rabbit holes

[@roxywolfe26]

Seeing them at sick new world and moshing as strangers and I screamed “FU IT ALL GOES AWAY” at each other is a memory I’ll treasure forever

[@vermillion2023]

It was enough for you to say "Ohkaeeeyy 💅"

[@Tiggler80]

I always love it when you analyze SOAD. I wish you would have talked about the "How do I feel what do I say ? " Arabic sounding vocal Phrygian part in the end. But all in all keep more SOAD coming! Also please do Periphery's Garden in the Bones reaction I guarantee the vocals and composition will blow your mind!!❤

[@joergojschaefer3521]

Ah, Elizabeth and SOAD...like a barrel of Nutella that never runs out! 🙂🙃🙂

[@amvelez10]

Such a great analogy 😂

[@creepycutiecrafty]

Somehow, that is a very precise description 😂

[@Dario.991]

Bro u just called her a barrel, that's fucked up

[@dillonsronce2583]

Even better

[@sockswithsandals3926]

For more System I would definetally recomend the song "Darts". Its a criminally underated song with exciting progression in melody, and of cource, impossible to replicate vocals!

[@Cadinho93]

"I play Russian Roulette everyday, a man's sport, with a bullet called life, yeah, mama, called life." I have always thought the title "Sugar" meant how the system sugar-coats all of the crap in the world so we can swallow it. Also, nothing is random with "System of a Down", every line and song has meaning to it, even when you think it doesn't.

[@chupasaurus]

"What a what a pie, pizza pizza pie" says hello

[@JPindanga]

sugar can be cocaine bro. since 60s & 70s. the addiction of cocaine can be similar to the addiction of capitalism and stuff like that . metaphore of metaphore, feel me?

[@leighannenight]

I hoped on to say the same thing. The song (especially with the context of the video) is referencing the media sensationalizing violence and then distracting us with a dose of "sugar". The drug analogy can be added (in that we sometimes NEED something to distract us from how rough and often hopeless feeling our world can be).

[@noahstapleton6414]

"Nothing is random" System of a down: "meow meow meow meow meow. Meow meow meow meow meow OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

[@shindigga420]

​@@chupasauruspretty sure that's a slogan or catchphrase from an ad for pizza. Considering that song is anti- advertising,it makes sense to me.

[@joseantonioserrano6103]

First song I ever hear from them... A friend at work lend me the CD and I was blown away by their music. Being a fan since then. So bad that they are not making new music together, but that's how many great groups have done before.

[@OmegaSoypreme]

It is quite amazing to look at something like this and then see Serj's more recent stuff. You never would have guessed the kind of beautiful singing he was capable of from this. Well, unless you then went forward two tracks and listened to Spiders 🕷 😊

[@Annathroy]

I really like it when music has meaning and not just melody. It is relatable and 'hits you in the feels'.

[@Badmeets3VIL7]

I'm bringing it up again, hope this gets seen! Please check out Radio/Video & System of A Down. This is hands down some of the best harmonizing between Serj and Daron. Some of their best vocal works, by far 🔥🙏🏾

[@aigocharisma]

Radio/Video seconded! Such an awesome song all around, but especially vocally!

[@missyangell]

YES!!! I completely agree! I really hope she sees this comment & analyzes it.

[@Badmeets3VIL7]

It's so wonderful to always see a resurgence of SOAD fans, y'all are still going strong 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 even after all these years

[@missyangell]

⁠​⁠@@Badmeets3VIL7absolutely! My love for them has been going strong since 2005 (5th grade for me). I listen to them every single day & I love seeing that they still get love to this day. 🥲

[@Badmeets3VIL7]

@@missyangell it's so wonderful to meet another diehard fan 🙏🏾 I've been a fan since 2001, Toxicity is such a landmark album, I'll never forget it 🔥 happy to meet you Melissa 🫶🏾

[@Stral3ss]

Radio/Video is a good one to listen to. Serj and Daron both get to shine in that one.

[@BarbarossaIV]

The first SOAD Album is just raw power! I love it

[@Waylaid13]

Serj is a vocal machine. He is not afraid at all to experiment with pitch, vocal sounds, accents, etc. One of my favorite examples of just how he can manipulate his voice is the live version of Lie, Lie, Lie with the Auckland Symphony (previously analyzed Empty Walls from that same concert here). If you close your eyes while listening to that, you'd swear he had *at least* one other person singing with him. This first SOAD album is almost exclusively his vocals whereas Daron's singing and harmonizing becomes more prevalent in each subsequent album. Serj has said that because he didn't really have a lot of training, he didn't know the "rules" of how many syllables etc should fit into the lines he was singing, so he just did what he wanted and what he felt worked. That willingness to experiment, along with the wide range of musical influences they have as a band is some of what makes them so interesting and stand out among their 2000 era metal contemporaries.

[@elcoronacartel]

21:59 when I first heard this line back in High School, the chills it sent down my spine were undescribable. It was such an experience. To this day, I don't care how im feeling, if it plays in the car I will scream along to it. And then cough for like 15 minutes in sheer regret XD

[@ReZerO100]

this is the song that got me into system of a down back in the day, its good to see you reacting to it, and to understand some of those vocal complexities better than i ever did in the past 20 years

[@Riley.Brown_]

You should check out some Portishead. Beth Gibbons is a very talented vocalist (she does some opera as well!). I recommend Sour Times, live in Roseland NYC, 1998. Absolutely amazing performance with some awesome vocal techniques

[@samilouh8974]

Second this!

[@GORILA736]

SoAD live Big Day Out 2002. @The Charismatic Voice, if you ever venture back to experience SoAD in their full glory, then that be the realm to dive into as the audio quality on those videos are 👌

[@drewbacca1981]

The thing that always gets me in this song, that nobody ever seems to mention, is that Serj somehow manages to roll the "T" in between the but and I'm in the line "but I'm feeling better". Sounds so good!!

[@camryneicher564]

I gotta admit at of all the talent displayed in his performance, thats not too impressive lol try it out its not too hard honestly! The T at the end of but and the I at the beginning of I'm put your tongue in the perfect position for rolling

[@Thebarefootdrummer-r5i]

There are so many crazy vocal moments on this album nothing sounds like old system

[@chrismarr3579]

I don’t know if anyone else ever mentioned, but the end of this song always gave me vibes of the Violent Femmes. Thanks for reacting to such a great song.

[@SleepFan771]

"Deer Dance" is my favorite System of a Down song, but vocally "Dreaming" is their most layered singing

[@PeachT87]

Deer Dance is such a fucking BOP

[@jasonbrock2681]

For their most vocally wild song, I suggest "Suggestions."

[@mikeh6948]

One of my favorite youtube tangents is watching people falling in love with SOAD. Your analysis really does their work justice

[@Symb10nt]

You need to give HIM a listen too. It's all tears is an amazing song to give a go

[@eklypse69]

Razorblade Kiss

[@garrettmcbride7539]

That whole album had their best vocals consistently out of all their albums to date

[@mattwillis4562]

Greetings Elizabeth!! I missed the live chat, but here you go in case no one said it there - Serj is the howler monkey, and yes that's Daron singing "Sugar". What you're seeing is Shavo mouthing along with the lyrics (he does it live also lol). Another great analysis of a great band and song. Thank you!!!

[@chupitolepame5357]

Thank you Elizabeth, I loved your analysis.

[@hollowthere3850]

Every time I try to go where I really wanna be, it's already where I am.. BECAUSE I'M ALREADY THERE!!!!! This band was so huge to me and many friends in our young teens, it hit at the perfect time for me. Thanks for doing these bands Liz!!

[@KarelOrlong]

With SOAD, there is no such thing as a bad song. Take their discography, play it on random, and literally any song that comes up will be a good choice.

[@maikeruS3npai]

and its highly possible they're the only band that can comfortably flex that... as you said literally ANY song that comes on is unskippable

[@RaineSophiaLewis]

Fully agree! 🔥🤘🏻

[@rayjones4616]

They were so good and so unique, they had to stop after just five albums, or risk nullifying all other forms of music. 🤘🤯

[@livedandletdie]

@@maikeruS3npai I mean it's either SOAD or Rammstein, and while there are songs I don't find are bangers for both bands, but man does SOAD have a very interesting selection of songs, and all of their albums are bleeding into your mind at random moments like a spontaneous earworm. Even while I'm listening to the video, I've had 2-3 other SOAD songs creep into my mind... and so it's insane how good SOAD's song are that I've already have Highway Song, Bounce, and a few other songs pop up in my head randomly throughout the video, and that's just during this video...

[@Spectre-wd9dl]

Ya, i wouldn't say all but 90% of thier songs are good. The only other band that comes close for me is zeppelin.

[@bigbadbrother]

You gotta watch a live version of this. Serj is a machine, the “sugar” is Daron but the rest is all Serj and he can sing it all start to finish live!

[@jakesimm5889]

Love these soad reactions. Honestly what caught my attention in the first place. Love the enthusiasm about them!!

[@amvelez10]

If you haven't done Spiders by SOAD yet, its so good. One of my all time favorites.

[@pokawolf24]

SOAD is absolutely incredible. Also check out a bad called SEETHER. amazing grunge vocals. Especially on their unplugged sets

[@Scintillant_Rationality]

OH WOW!! I've been WAITING for your reaction to this one!! SOAD is without a doubt a one of a kind experience! This song really shows off Serg's amazing vocal acrobatics. If you haven't watched "Suggestions" yet, please watch the live Rock IM Park performance. IMO, it's one of their most underrated songs.

[@nathanielwiens]

Yes, Suggestions is a real connoisseur pick. 🧑‍🍳🤌💋

[@celinamaeeeee]

i found your channel when you released your first soad video, and the joy i feel seeing a new soad video is unmatched every time. i love your other videos but the soad ones are my favorites.

[@volks-jager]

speaking of Sweet - would love to see an analysis of the band Sweet. the singer Brian Connolly was incredibly gifted, the rest of the band had great vocals as well. and Mick Tucker is one of the most underrated drummers in history. Ballroom Blitz or Fox On The Run would make great songs to review.

[@anxietify]

sweet are amazing

[@robertcunningham2777]

You should definitely check out "Deer Dance" for a manic screaming, singing, intense great time. Such a great example of the amazing vocal range if Serj on this track.

[@kunghenrybowers]

Awesome to see SOAD back on the channel! You always have such great analyses of the music and the lyrics. I would also love to see you do more of Rage Against the Machine. Keep up the good Work!

[@brettmarlar4154]

You hit every point (except for Darren's quirky guitar riffs on the verses) that makes this my all-time favorite SOAD song!

[@cherylpeterson6634]

My daughter introduced me to this song after she bought a 2 song cassette after they played at OzFest in the 90's, we went out and bought the whole cd and never looked back. I LOVE THE WHOLE FIRST ALBUM. Peephole is my favorite I think. I will never forget going to friends barn with their amazing sound system and putting on the CD and it just blew us away. I think the beginning newscast is about how the media is part of the "system" and is always lying to us. You know like when they pretend that things like Aspritane are not poison? To me this whole album is all connected, you should do the whole thing. You should watch the Spiders performance they did on Conan

[@rahbeat9785]

22:45 YES! thank you... these reaction videos are amazing btw!

[@taskasrudis]

When I was a kid, I bought a metal music magazines that came with a sample CD with this song and video on it. Fell in love with the System from the moment I played it. Good times.

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

My first introduction to them was a Metal Hammer magazine sampler CD that had War? on it. Immediately fell in love with the frantic, bouncing off the walls energy and schizophrenic vocals. Those were the days, before the internet, getting exposed to so many bands through monthly magazine cover CDs. It always amazes me these days, when people say there is no good new music, when access to good new music has literally never been easier, cheaper, or wider. The internet generation don't know they're born...

[@LordIrisofNecropolis]

​@@Broccoli_Highkicksthe problem with access is analysis paralysis. If you give me money for a brick, and I hand you a selection of 4 very different bricks, it's easy to pick the one you want. If instead I took you to a wall of thousands of bricks, all with slight variations, subtle nuances and blends of styles, analysis paralysis kicks in. You have access to every brick, even the bad ones, and the best ones, and everything in-between. You won't know one is good until you take it and examine it, and you can be there for a very long time looking for a few good ones. That's the internet. Without direction or suggestion, you are overwhelmed with choice, and without knowing what's good, bad or at which end of the spectrum between, you're going to pull bad ones and think they're not as good as others that most people recommend. Some recommendations may not be to your liking, and others may be ok, but not what you're looking for. And the fact that the amount of people able to record music, access to instruments and professional grade software and equipment, not to mention online courses on how to play, write, record, edit and publish, has skyrocketed the amount of choice there is. I'd love to return to the days of magazine/live TV music... Kerrang and scuzz were my childhood, I found my music there, and listened to more from those artists online. I probably still could, but I'm happy with the 100 or so bands I like for now xD

[@legendash]

I had a Kerrang mag with War on it as well, revelatory

[@Hrkortegaard]

If you wanna hear another really great vocalist in metal, British progressive metal band TesseracT has just posted their new album - and vocalist Daniel Tompkins really sets it off, especially on “Legion”. It’s a must! Thank you for always such great content, your SOAD-reactions is always instant-click stuff 😅

[@aaronscott506]

One of the coolest live shows I’ve ever seen. I saw them open for the Mighty Metallica. Amazing show 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@CourtneyVarner]

SOAD was my first real concert, in 1999 at the 9:30 Club in DC, with Incubus and Mr Bungle. Absolutely bonkers.

[@CarefulWithThatAx]

I saw them headline Ozzfest in 2002. And I do mean headline: Ozzy missed one date because Sharon was in surgery and it happened to be the date I was at. The seats were 2/3rds empty because people took refunds, so Serj told everyone to forget their seats and get closer to the stage. It was great.

[@tejanoburns]

The Summer Sanitarium Tour '00?! I was at the Dallas show where, James couldn't perform, but the show went on with the openers Jon Davis, Serj, Kid Rock stepping in for some songs and Jason killing the rest of the set. We got a free show out of it also! They came back with James and C.O.C. opening! At the time I was torn between the Metallica makeup show or the Limp Bizkit/Cypress Hill free Napster show as they were the same night. Made the proper choice, 'Tallica and Corrosion, lol! I think somewhere in Louisiana, New Orleans maybe got the same deal.

[@tejanoburns]

​@@CarefulWithThatAx Snagged 'em at Ozzfest '02 as well. Cool you got the headline show, but also a bummer missing Ozzy at the same time. I remember Ozzfest '08 Dallas was the only date where Metallica headlined over Ozzy, his own festival, lol...weird stuff. But, yeah grateful to have snagged SOAD twice Sanitarium '00 and Ozzfest '02

[@mauriciomijares7286]

Metallica and SOAD in the same concert! That's like a dream come true!

[@syzygyxv3359]

girl, i remember one of your videos and prolly the first SOAD reaction, you said everyone was dying for you to reaction to their music cuz youll love it. ive been listing to them since i was a baby and im gonna be 25 in a few months. i now crave their music. i was blessed to have them in my childhood lol

[@CarefulWithThatAx]

Aw hell yeah! Nice to see stuff from their first album.

[@andyfinch298]

This is their best album. No contest.

[@darrylhewes2376]

I annoy my better half in the supermarket.. can't go past sugar on the self without asking if we need " Sugar" in a similar voice😂😂

[@Ardokaath]

We NEED to find some way of getting Serj in a tea time interview with Elizabeth!!

[@lastofacademe]

Love your videos. Particularly System of a Down. Quite possibly my favourite band for close to 25 years, yet you're able to make me listen to their music in new ways. Thank you 🙏

[@MsLadybug1969]

First time I heard SOAD was them opening at the blues club in vegas for fear factory. That ending was all one take is my guess compared to their live. Will never forget that concert! Someone whipped a bottle and hit Darren splitting his head open. He stopped the concert and pointed out the guy for security all while threatening to "f" him in the ass till he'd have to walk home backwards. Then he swiped off most of the blood and kept playing the rest of their set. Impressive dude to say the least. Made me a fan for life!

[@Apostasy362]

I was hoping you'd get to this one. It's definitely got a "fever dream" type vibe, and it's kinda all over the place lyrically. This was the first SOAD song I ever heard (back when it was first being played on the radio) and I really didn't know what to think of it at the time. I don't like it quite as much as some of their later work, but it'll definitely strip your gears.

[@SweetMamaG]

I can't believe no one is recommending Roulette! Its haunting and beautiful.

[@samheffernan8159]

May I make a suggestion? I'd love to see your analysis of HIM singing their version of Wicked Game at The Orpheum Theater in 2005. I think you'd find Ville Valo's voice facinating and very unique.

[@JasonTrotter83]

I am so Jealous, would love to be finding SOAD for the first time. Was obsessed when System Of A Down came out. Listened to it on repeat on my portable cd player, such an epic band.

[@gaiavenus]

Thank you Elizabeth for more SOAD, I just love this band and Serj's voice. Would love to see your reaction on *Tina Guo - Moonhearts in Space Official Music Video ft. Serj Tankian* Serj vocals are just beautiful in this one.

[@TheAnomaly00]

Sugar is the platonic ideal of a manic episode, somehow captured and perfectly distilled into musical form by SOAD.

[@alphadragon601_9]

Serj’s ability to rapidly change from growls to the thinnest wiriest vocals is so impressive

[@fredsfreshbeats]

The way I interpret the Russian roulette line is that, although both men and women face their unique challenges, it's more acceptable for women to talk about their problems, and, although it's getting better, it's still taboo for men to talk about their problems, and they are often ignored, or told off that we don't have any problems. Also, the suicide rate among men is much higher compared to women, so I can understand why it's such a powerful line.

[@squidobarnez]

Your reactions to these guys are wonderfully genuine and entertaining. *high-fives*

[@jesterr7133]

I think we all expected you to react in horror when you heard SOAD. I think it's awesome that you like them. They are definitely unique.

[@brianware8934]

Suggestion time? Oh yeah….: Red Handed Denial - “Father Said” (Lauren Babic live one take performance) Recentish version of Lauren who can sing beautifully and scream with the best of them.

[@smant615]

I've been DYING for Elizabeth to do a reaction video for Lauren Babic!!! She's amazing

[@brianware8934]

@@smant615 same! If I could ever figure out discord, I’d start putting it in there too.

[@Nick.McIntyre]

I gotta check that one out. I love empire. Lauren is so good

[@ecalzo]

yep .. saw them live a bunch of times.. every time a great experience they're such amazing musician and singer ... WOWOW

[@unknownentity9468]

Haha yes!❤❤I think you should react to more songs off of SOAD’s first, and most experimental/raw, album!

[@grainny4397]

I have been waiting for you to do this song in particular. It was my first and favorite of theirs. Honestly I hope you do the entire album. I think this one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Love your channel thanks for being awesome

[@Nick-ph8nw]

You DEFINITELY need to do “Hypnotize” next!!! It’s such a good song!!!