The Genius Of System Of A Down's "Chop Suey!" (John Dolmayan)

"Chop Suey!" is a rollercoaster of intensity, dynamics, and pure drumming brilliance. From John Dolmayan's frantic double-time grooves to sudden shifts to half-time, thunderous tom work, and even blast beats, Dolmayan masterfully drives the song’s unpredictable structure with power and precision. His ability to weave chaos into cohesion mirrors the band’s signature blend of rock, metal, hip-hop, and Armenian folk influences.

Released as the lead single from System of a Down’s 2001 album 'Toxicity', "Chop Suey!" catapulted the band into mainstream success and became one of the most iconic songs of the 2000s. With its genre-defying sound and cryptic lyrics, the track challenged conventions and quickly became an anthem for a new generation of heavy music fans.

Join Drumeo’s Brandon Toews as he dives into John Dolmayan’s explosive performance on "Chop Suey!", breaking down the signature groove and fills that make this track a modern drumming classic—one that continues to ignite and inspire drummers over two decades later.

Learn How To Play "Chop Suey!" by System Of A Down!
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Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
01:07 - Leading Up To 'Toxicity'
02:04 - How "Chop Suey!" Was Written
02:58 - The Story Behind The Title
03:42 - Media Outlets Ban "Chop Suey!"
04:33 - Controlled Chaos
05:08 - Serj Tankian On John Dolmayan's Drumming
05:34 - Breaking Down The Famous Tom Intro
06:01 - The Unpredictable Verse Groove
08:15 - John Dolmayan On His Style & Influences
08:39 - Half-Time Shift... With Strings!
09:20 - Blast Beats?!
09:55 - Breaking Down The Bridge Section
10:28 - The Epic Outro
12:11 - Why "Chop Suey!" Matters To Drummers
14:02 - Final Thoughts
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