System of a Down's 'Johnny' Makes Historic Streaming Debut!

System of a Down has marked the 25th anniversary of their seminal album, "Toxicity," with a significant rollout, including making the track "Johnny" available on streaming platforms for the very first time. Previously, "Johnny" was an elusive track, having only appeared on international editions of the album and a U.K. 7-inch pressed alongside "Chop Suey!," never receiving a standalone digital release until now.

"Toxicity," which debuted on September 4, 2001, and was produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, quickly established itself as one of the defining metal albums of its era. It was lauded for its innovative fusion of heavy riffing with Armenian folk influences, coupled with incisive, politically charged lyrics that addressed a range of pressing topics including environmental concerns, protest movements, and U.S. foreign policy.

The album's initial release was shadowed by historical events, as it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 during the week of the September 11 attacks. This coincidence led to "Chop Suey!" being temporarily pulled from radio playlists due to lyrics that were deemed sensitive at the time. Despite this, "Chop Suey!" persevered to become the band's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. All three of the album's singles—"Chop Suey!," "Toxicity," and "Aerials"—achieved chart success, with "Aerials" ultimately reaching the pinnacle of both Billboard's Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock tallies.

Critics and fans alike immediately connected with "Toxicity"'s distinctive blend of heavy instrumentation, progressive song structures, and deep integration of Armenian musical heritage, all delivered through powerful lyrics. The album's commercial success has been monumental, earning seven-times platinum certification in the U.S. and two-times platinum in the U.K., with an estimated 15 million units sold worldwide. The enduring legacy of the album is further cemented by the lead single "Chop Suey!," which surpassed 2 billion Spotify streams as of May, solidifying its status as System of a Down's signature song.

The 25th-anniversary celebration centers on a special new vinyl reissue. This edition is pressed on striking red smoke-colored vinyl and comes bundled with a bonus one-sided 7-inch. This bonus vinyl features "Johnny" on the A-side and a custom "25" etching on the B-side. Furthermore, the reissue addresses a long-standing fan concern by correcting a tracklist error: the hidden closing track, previously known informally as "Arto," is now officially credited as "Der Voghormia," identifying it as a traditional Armenian hymn. The comprehensive package also includes a custom double-sided poster, and the reissue is currently available for preorder, inviting fans to revisit this landmark album.