New System Of a Down Track Rails Against Power Run Amok

Just in time for George W. Bush's second inauguration and the long promised elections in Iraq, System Of a Down returns with "Cigaro," a brazen statement on the politics of power. "Cigaro" is the first song released from the band's upcoming album.

It's been almost 4 years since Toxicity, the last full studio album by the band. System Of a Down is promising a double studio album for their return. Mezmerize/Hypnotize will be released in two installments in the spring and fall. Meanwhile, the band will embark on a 2 year tour kicking it off in New Zealand and Australia

"Cigaro" roars out of the box with piledriver guitars and the line 'My cock is much bigger than yours.' The lyrics are nearly pornographic but completely appropriate as the song deals with the obscenity of political and military power wielded for nothing more than a metaphorical multi-national cockfight. In 2 minutes of musical fury, System Of a Down rail against regulators who de-regulate and propagate genocide for their own benefit over the benefit of the masses. In a world remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.'s words 'It is no longer a choice between violence and non-violence, it is a choice between non-violence and non-existence' and still reeling in shock from George W. Bush's re-election, System Of a Down call the enemies of power-run-amok to battle once more.

Balancing raw punk fury with artful instrumental work has been a hallmark of System Of a Down's past recordings. "Cigaro" is no different and the guitar figure in a musical break halfway through the song draws "Cigaro" out of the realm of pure bile. If the remainder of the forthcoming two-part album holds true to the promise of "Cigaro," System Of a Down may be ranking high on critics' lists for 2005 come next December. For now, download and burn this track. You'll gladly return to it frequently over the coming months.

Listen to Cigaro

Article Author: Bill Lamb

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