-Serj Tankian on [Vocals], [Keyboard], [Rhythm guitar].
-Daron Malakian on [Vocals], [Guitar].
-Shavo Odadjian on [Backing Vocals], [Bass Guitar].
-John Dolmayan on [Drums].
My Experience:
System Of A Down is a band that took me a while to get into, not because their music was hard to get into, but because I had been drilled in my head since a kid that they were a "Bad" band.
I mean to say that they were particularly vulgar. But what I wasn't realizing as a child is that they were actually just being facetious in most of their music, and trying to make a point about something in the world.
You can read my article about their political humor Here.
Needless to say, SOAD is a pretty classic band. I don't know many people who haven't at least heard of them, and there is a good reason for it...
...They are hilarious!
Not only that, but Serj Tankian's whaling armenian-type vocals can really walk all over you.
It all fits together in an original and styling composition.
Are they the most experimental band on the shelf? No, not really. But they have worked in their own particular niche which I think no one else has touched.
And that gives them a place on this site.
Noticeable Traits:
Really Awesome and Catchy Vocals
Heavy Distorted Guitar
Lyrics often filthy, but trying to make a point (See "Violent Pornography")
Prison Song Needles Deer Dance Jet Pilot X Chop Suey! Bounce Forest ATWA Science Shimmy Toxicity Psycho Aerials Arto (Bonus Track)
Steal This Album (2002)
Chic 'N' Stu Innervision Bubbles Boom! NĂ¼guns A.D.D. (American Dream Denial) Mr. Jack I-E-A-I-A-I-O 36 Pictures Highway Song Fuck the System Ego Brain Thetawaves Roulette Streamline
Mesmerize (2005)
Soldier Side - Intro B.Y.O.B. Revenga Cigaro Radio/Video This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm on This Song Violent Pornography Question! Sad Statue Old School Hollywood Lost in Hollywood
Hypnotize (2005)
Attack Dreaming Kill Rock 'n Roll Hypnotize Stealing Society Tentative U-Fig Holy Mountains Vicinity of Obscenity She's Like Heroin Lonely Day Soldier Side
Gorillaz is a super classic band, and for a good reason. With some of the best combinations of electronic music, featuring artists from Mos Def, to MF Doom, it's a really incredible band.
Their newest album, "The Fall", was even recording entirely on an iPad! I highly recommend they become an integral part to your music library, and I've been listening to them for the last month straight (Religiously).