10 Songs That Got Their Own Sequels
9. Soldier Side - System of a Down
From the opening shots of System of a Down's album Mezmerize, you got the feeling that this was not going to be the cheeriest of albums. Since the war in Iraq was already underway and getting pretty hectic, these Armenian metalheads definitely had thoughts on the matter, with Soldier Side talking from the perspective of someone stranded in the desert. While it may have been a nice tone setter, the bookend at the end of Hypnotize was a lot more effective.
Whereas the first iteration makes good use of tone by setting up the journey you're about to be taking on, this is the final gasps of life from the fallen soldier, trying to push even further before he realizes that he will never be able to find his way home again. The tone isn't even violence at this point; it's just pure exhaustion brought on by a man who gave his lifeforce for his country and was rewarded with nothing.
It also acts as a nice comedown from the more intense sides of this psuedo double record, showing that both the aspects of Hollywood and the bloodshed on the battlefield can leave you hollow and alone inside towards the end of your life. Not necessarily the sunniest of topics, but when was System of a Down known to pull their punches?