[2] "Toxicity," an important song for System of a Down, was initially brought to the band by bassist Shavo Odadjian, who introduced the composition under the title "Version 7.0.

"[5] Despite the band's reputation for guitarist Daron Malakian and vocalist Serj Tankian as the principal songwriters, Odadjian's original concept played a crucial role in the song's development.

[5] During the recording process, the band, encouraged by producer Rick Rubin to "over-write," entered the studio with an extensive repertoire of approximately 44 songs.

'"[5] Malakian's vision for "Toxicity" steered the band toward a more melodic and anthemic direction, expanding their sound beyond their metal roots.

[5] His focus on crafting songs with larger choruses was a departure from the band's earlier style, reflecting an evolution in their musical approach.

[5] Despite the violence, the aftermath of their confrontation fostered a renewed sense of camaraderie, propelling the band to complete "Toxicity" alongside other key tracks like "Chop Suey!"

[6] According to Dominick Suzanne-Mayer of Consequence, System of a Down is "arguably one of the better bands to emerge during the period," with "Toxicity" standing as a testament to their artistic ambition.

[6] The song's composition features a dynamic interplay of aggressive instrumentation and melodic hooks, driven by Daron Malakian's vision to evolve the band's sound beyond traditional heavy metal.

[5] He noted, "I liked songs like 'Aerials,' 'Toxicity,' and 'ATWA' that brought an evolution to our sound," indicating a shift towards anthemic choruses and complex arrangements that address deeper themes of societal dysfunction.

[6] As noted by music critic Dominick Suzanne-Mayer, "join us in going absolutely goddamn wild to that breakdown," highlighting how the song remains a powerful representation of the band's innovative spirit and impact on the nu metal genre.

[5] Malakian explained, "My family gets [sunflower seeds] raw... a lot of Armenians do this," using this imagery to juxtapose the mundanity of life with the song's broader commentary on societal issues.

[7] Serj Tankian has noted that "sacred silence" alludes to the spiritual understanding within Native American cultures, serving as a state of meditation where one can find both loss and discovery.

[7] He cites inspiration from the works of Tom Brown Jr., a survivalist and author who explores Native American wisdom, emphasizing the importance of living harmoniously with nature.