Top 10 Best Songs by System of a Down

The number that shook the world awake. The opening with the acoustic guitar that is drowned out by "Wake up!" is legendary. The lyrics are an incoherent but emotional stream of consciousness about suicide and religion.nnThe bridge ("Father, into your hands...") is of celestial beauty, a moment of rest in the eye of the storm. It's the perfect fusion of all the elements that make System of a Down unique: aggression, beauty, madness and virtuosity.

The ultimate drum track. John Dolmayan lays down an insanely complex and fast rhythm that drives the entire song. The guitar part is minimalist but mood-setting.nnThe chorus is grand and anthemic ("Disorder!"). The dynamics between the whispering verses and the explosive outbursts make this one of the most iconic metal songs of the 21st century.

An epic masterpiece that shows how grand the band can sound. The cello in the intro sets a solemn tone. The song is about searching for meaning in a superficial world.nnThe riff is simple but massive. There's a spatiality to the production that makes the music literally float. It's stately, philosophical and overwhelmingly beautiful.

A dark, dragging song that slowly gets under your skin. The atmosphere is ominous and sci-fi, carried by a heavy bassline.nnSerj sings here low and enchanting, before showing his impressive range in the chorus. The song builds toward an explosive ending, like a nightmare that becomes increasingly real.

"Why do they always send the poor?" An angry protest against the Iraq War, wrapped as a hyperactive party song. The riff is angular and aggressive, but the chorus is pure R&B pop.nnThe contrast is absurd and brilliant. The band switches in a fraction of a second from a mosh pit to a disco floor. It's political activism on speed.

The title track from their final album is a sweeping rock song with Eastern influences. The duet between Serj and Daron works hypnotically here.nnThe song builds toward a dizzying climax. The lyrics deliver criticism of propaganda and mass manipulation, a recurring theme that's wrapped here in an exotic and danceable melody.

Perhaps their most accessible "ballad", again with a lead role for Malakian. The lyrics are simple, almost childlike, but the emotion is genuine and melancholic.nnThe guitar solo is wailing and melancholic. It's a song for the days when everything goes wrong, a universal song about loneliness that resonates deeply despite—or because of—its simplicity.

A rhythmically complex song with different time signatures, with the acoustic guitar in the intro evoking a Spanish atmosphere. Serj's singing is theatrical and dramatic.nnThe transitions between dreamy passages and heavy metal sections are seamless. The song feels like a bizarre dream flight, full of unexpected turns and mystique.

A rare moment of relative peace and melody, sung by guitarist Daron Malakian. It's a cynical indictment of the entertainment industry that crushes dreams.nnThe harmonies in the chorus are beautiful and almost Beatles-esque, but with a dark edge. It shows the band can make a huge impact without shouting.

An early song that perfectly captures the pure chaos of the band. The jazz-like interlude that suddenly turns into brute aggression is typical of their style.nnThe lyrics are pure nonsense and paranoia ("The kombucha mushroom people"), delivered with manic energy. It's short, explosive and leaves you asking: "What did I just listen to?"