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System Of A Down - Toxicity - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Toxicity - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Toxicity guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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System Of A Down Alternative Metal C minor
Capo Advisor 0 C minor · Original key

Toxicity

"Toxicity" by System Of A Down is a heavy metal track released in 2002 as the second single from their album of the same name. Written by Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and Serj Tankian, the song is recognized for its aggressive vocals, dynamic chorus, and rhythmically complex guitar work. It offers electric guitarists a compelling study in odd time signatures, shifting between different meters throughout the song.

  • The song alternates between 6/4, 12/8, and 4/4 time signatures, making it an excellent exercise in rhythmic flexibility.
  • During the verse, the guitar uses a 2+2+2 phrasing in 6/4, creating a distinct feel from the heavier sections.
  • The heavy sections feature a hemiola effect, with the guitar playing a 3+3+3+3 pattern while the drums hold a contrasting rhythm.
Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Daron Malakian's signature guitar for SOAD's classic era, the SG's bright midrange cuts through Drop C tuning without muddiness while its lightweight body delivers the aggressive, cutting tone on Toxicity. The dual humbuckers provide thick saturation for heavy riffs while maintaining clarity for melodic passages.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800 would deliver the tight, focused high-gain crunch that defined early SOAD, though Malakian favored the JCM900 for its superior midrange bite to cut through Serj's vocals and the band's dense arrangements.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Malakian uses this amp to thicken SOAD's low-end on select studio tracks and heavier passages, adding additional bottom-end depth to the Marshall's midrange focus while maintaining the clarity needed for palm-muted riffing in Drop C.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Malakian's sole primary effects pedal, the Cry Baby adds filtered lead textures and specific riff coloration to SOAD's sound while staying minimal, keeping the focus on the guitar, amp gain, and Drop C tuning that defines their signature tone.

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