Hypnotize (System of A Down Song)

Hypnotize (System Of A Down Song)

"Hypnotize" is the lead single for Armenian American rock band System of a Down's album of the same name, which was released on November 22, 2005 (see 2005 in music). The video was filmed on September 28, 2005, at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It reached number one on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and is the band's biggest international hit.

As in many Mezmerize/Hypnotize songs, guitarist Daron Malakian accompanies Serj Tankian in the vocal sections. Serj and Daron perform a harmony in the refrain before and after the instrumental bridge. The combination of the two vocalists gives the song a vocal range, with Serj handling the lower verses and Daron handling the higher verses. Musically, "Hypnotize" changes modes in several places. The opening guitar riff and early verses are an upbeat melody that switches between the I (melodic) and V (Hindu) modes of F# melodic minor. The later riffs and the outro to the song are in the more commonly heard VI (natural) mode of F# minor. This mixing of modes creates the song's characteristic psychedelic feeling.

The Eastern-themed instrumental bridge contains at least four overdubbed clean guitar tracks and a well-crafted, syncopated rhythm. The song leads up to a massive crescendo, then ends with a repeated portion of the opening riff with soft singing by Malakian.