January 9, 2002 — Armed with a 2002 Grammy nomination (Best Metal Performance for "Chop Suey!") and seats on scores of "2001 Top Ten" lists for their sophomore album Toxicity, System of a Down will headline a North American tour beginning Valentine's Day in Las Vegas, NV. In addition, the group's second single, the CD's title track "Toxicity," shipped to alternative and rock radio formats January 8.

In December, System of a Down shot the promo video for "Toxicity" with band bassist Shavo Odadjian making his directorial debut. Odadjian had assisted video director Marcos Siega on the "Chop Suey!" video, and his bandmates encouraged him to try it on his own with "Toxicity." In the "Toxicity" video, the band performs live on a special stage that will use hydraulics to raise and lower the band into a mosh pit full of some 200 fans who, according to Odadjian, "will be pitting under us like a whirlwind." The final scene will use special effects to morph the mosh pit into a star galaxy.

The year 2001 is one that System of a Down -- Serj Tankian, vocals; Daron Malakian, guitars/vocals; John Dolmayan, drums, and bassist Odadjian -- will remember. The group's Rick Rubin-produced Toxicity was released on September 4, and debuted in the Number One spot on the fateful day of September 11. The CD's first radio track, "Chop Suey," resided in the Top 10 at alternative and rock radio for 23-plus weeks, and its companion promo video was a Top 5 staple at MTV for months. "Toxicity" has gone on to attain platinum-plus status, and was named one of the Best Albums of the Year in publications such as Rolling Stone, Time, Spin, and Alternative Press.

With Clutch opening the shows, System's itinerary for winter 2002 U.S. dates follows:

FEBRUARY
14 The Joint, Las Vegas, NV
15 Mesa Amphitheatre, Mesa, AZ
17 Music Hall, Austin, TX
18 Bronco Bowl, Dallas, TX
19 Uptown Theatre, Kansas City, MO
21 Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
22 Deltaplex, Grand Rapids, MI
23 State Theatre, Detroit, MI
25 Egyptian Room, Indianapolis, IN
26 Promowest Pavilion, Columbus, OH
27 Koolhouse, Toronto, Ontario CANADA

MARCH
1 Verdun Arena, Montreal, Quebec CANADA