Thursday Throwback is a weekly colour scheme inspired by an iconic album cover of yesteryear. This week’s throwback is the 2001 album “Toxicity” by System of a Down. The colours are as follows:
| Colours | HEX | RGB | HSB | CMYK | LAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour 1 | #BF3641 | 191, 54, 65 | 355, 72, 75 | 0, 71, 65, 25 | 44, 54, 26 |
| Colour 2 | #D9D7BF | 217, 215, 191 | 55, 12, 85 | 0, 0, 11, 14 | 85, -3, 12 |
| Colour 3 | 8C5D42 | 140, 93, 66 | 22, 53, 55 | 0, 33, 52, 45 | 43, 16, 23 |
| Colour 4 | #402A22 | 64, 42, 34 | 16, 47, 25 | 0, 34, 46, 74 | 19, 9, 9 |
| Colour 5 | #BFA79F | 191, 167, 159 | 15, 17, 75 | 0, 12, 16, 25 | 70, 7, 7 |
The early 2000s marked a significant period in music history, with heavy metal gaining mainstream popularity. System of a Down’s album “Toxicity” emerged as a force to be reckoned with, delivering a potent blend of socio-political commentary, visceral energy, and genre-defying soundscapes. “Toxicity” served as a sonic manifesto for a generation grappling with the complexities of a rapidly changing world. The band fearlessly explored taboo subjects and confronted societal norms head-on, setting them apart as musical provocateurs. The lyrics delved into themes of police brutality, political corruption, and drug addiction with unflinching honesty. Musically, System of a Down defied categorisation, combining elements of metal, alternative rock, East Mediterranean and Armenian folk, and even some jazz influences. Tracks like “Chop Suey!” and “Prison Song” unleashed unbridled aggression, while “Aerials” and “Jet Pilot” showcased the band’s talent for dynamic arrangements.
“Toxicity” struck a chord with listeners worldwide, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. AllMusic writer Eduardo Rivadavia called it one of the top metal releases of the year with the potential to be a lasting heavy metal classic. Ben Myers of Kerrang! Magazine also tipped it as the metal album of the year, stating that the band had bettered their debut. The album’s singles reached the Billboard 100, and it reached number one in both the US and Canadian charts. Selling over 12 million copies worldwide, “Toxicity” was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 27, 2002.
The album cover, a collective effort between the band members, photographer Glen E. Friedman, and artist Mark Wakefield, displays the album title in white letters on the side of a hill, paying homage to the world-famous Hollywood Sign associated with the band’s home area of Los Angeles.