System of a Down is an Armenian-American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. The group’s core lineup consists of Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan, who joined in 1997 after the band’s original drummer left. Their sound is commonly described as heavy metal with alternative and nu metal elements, and their lyrics often address political and social topics. The band released its self-titled debut album in 1998 and followed it with Toxicity in 2001, which brought wider mainstream attention. System of a Down has released five studio albums and is known for a sharply contrasting style that mixes aggressive riffs, melodic passages, and abrupt shifts in rhythm and tempo. Their live performances are generally built around material from those albums, especially songs from Toxicity and later releases.