A wave of disappointment washed over System Of A Down devotees this week as their seminal album, Toxicity, mysteriously disappeared from Spotify. This six-time multi-platinum record, a cornerstone of early 2000s nu metal and a work widely hailed for its influence, is currently unavailable for streaming on the platform.
Intriguingly, while the full Toxicity experience has been pulled from Spotify, some of its most iconic tracks, such as the frenetic “Chop Suey!” and the soaring “Aerials,” can still be streamed through various EPs and compilation albums available on the service. However, the cohesive journey of the complete album remains absent.
As of now, System Of A Down has not issued any official statement addressing the album’s removal. Nevertheless, sources within the music industry speculate that temporary removals of older, significant releases from major labels are not uncommon. These can stem from several factors, including necessary updates to licensing agreements, shifts in distribution strategies, or ongoing rights negotiations that need resolution before an album can be reinstated on a platform.
This Spotify development arrives as System Of A Down embarks on their eagerly awaited “Wake Up! South America” tour, marking their first concerts in the region since 2015. This nine-date trek commenced on April 24th at Estadio Nemésio Camacho El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia, and will continue through Peru, Chile, and Argentina, culminating in five performances across Brazil, hitting Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
Looking ahead, North American fans can also anticipate the band’s arrival, starting with a two-night engagement at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 27th and 28th, where they will be joined by special guests Korn. The tour will then proceed to Soldier Field in Chicago for shows on August 31st and September 1st with Avenged Sevenfold, before concluding with two dates at Rogers Stadium in Toronto on September 3rd and 5th alongside Deftones.
For now, the absence of Toxicity on Spotify leaves fans in anticipation, hoping for its swift return to the platform, especially considering its enduring status as one of the band’s most cherished and defining creations.
Writer and extreme metal devotee, Ialdagorth has spent over a decade covering the darkest corners of heavy music. A black metal lifer, he spends his free time wandering the Carpathian Mountains, likely humming blast beats to the trees.
