I am sure many of you may know someone in your life who has dealt with drug addiction, as it is not a topic for the light-hearted. Regardless if it is a family member, friend, or even a celebrity idol, finding the strength to overcome an addiction is not easy. 

The song “Chop-Suey!” by System of a Down dives into the way society views those who are abusing drugs, and the mental toll it can take on the abuser.

The best word to use to describe “Chop-Suey!” is frantic. The start of the song opens up with a mellow drum beat, which quickly changes to a loud, fast, and scrambled version. This prepares you for the broken-up and unusual layout for the lyrics, with producer Rick Rubin even stating, “It’s both difficult to sing and arguably difficult to listen to…” 

System of a Down was a very unlikely success story, especially as an Armenian-American heavy metal band that formed in California in the mid ’90s. The band received a lot of success, and a dedicated fanbase after the release of their five studio albums, three of which hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. 

“Chop-Suey!” was the first single off their second album, “Toxicity,” and it became an immediate sensation. The song sored through the charts until it was silenced after 9/11, with almost every radio station pulling it from their playlist in an attempt to be as sensitive as possible after the tragedy. 

Although most who listen to System of a Down come from a dedicated fanbase, it is never too late to jam out to this chaotic, yet lovable song.