10 Best Hard Rock Album Covers Of All Time
6. Toxicity - System Of A Down
Throughout most of their career, System of a Down definitely had a bone to pick with the establishment. Across all of their albums, the band tackled difficult subjects in their lyrics from consumerism to political practices to suicide. When it came to finding artwork for their sophomore effort Toxicity, the band hit upon an idea that was almost too perfect.
Centered around the poisonous feelings that afflict every man, the band used their cover to take a shot at the dream of making it in Hollywood. With the band's name replacing the classic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, those words seem to be a lot more than just goofing on the concept of stardom. While many go to the City of Angels to chase their dreams, this cover lets you in on the idea that the star system is a machine that favors vapid consumerism over artistic integrity.
In that sense, the actual album title has two meanings, one being the actual concept of toxicity, the other being the play on the words "Toxic city." It may have been just a simple joke at first glance, but the actual meaning behind this cover offered much more than the standard nu metal acts of the day.