Interscope Records
2008
Scars On Broadway
About This Album
Backing away from the chaotic time shifts and incredulous dynamics of the multi-platinum System of a Down, drummer John Dolmayan and guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian (not the goateed singer, the other one) dial everything back for their self-titled debut, Scars on Broadway. The prog metal Eastern scales and operatic outbursts are left behind, replaced by typical modern rock song structures and straightforward chord changes. This isn't to say that it doesn't rock hard. "Stoner Hate" shares the machine-gun delivery and rapid fury of Mezmerize's "BYOB," "Cute Machines" would make Queens of the Stone Age blush, and "Serious" changes swiftly from a verse spit with the intensity of Johnny Rotten to a dazzling chorus in the high controlled register of Geddy Lee. While Malakian's style of singing is more subdued and, say, elfish than Serj Tankian's, he proves himself a strong vocalist with great capacity for developing a harmonious hook and a keen melody in the midst of a spastic beat. On the more restrained numbers, diverse arrangements keep the songs interesting. Retro synths and drum machines embellish key moments throughout, and slide guitar and organ turn "3005" into a pseudo rock ballad that mellows out the grit nicely.
Track List (try tracks 5,6,7 and 9)

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