System of a Down

System of a Down (sometimes abbreviated as SOAD or System) is an American rock band, originally from California. Formed in 1994, the band currently consists of four members, all of Armenian descent: Daron Malakian, Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan. Emerging from the Californian underground scene, the band achieved its first major success with the release of its self-titled debut album in 1998. The release of Toxicity in 2001, the band's first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200, popularized System of a Down on the national and international scenes.