Back in the early 2000s at the height of nu-metal there were a few bands that came out onto the scene only, these bands were more rock. Heavy rock to be exact. Quite a few of these bands got lumped into the nu-metal category unceremoniously. They were heavy rock bands that were more hard metal than anything else. Instead of having more to do with Korn or Deftones, there was one particular band of that era that has always had my ear. They went back to the roots and were inspired by bands like Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica with nice twists and turns into sludge, blues and a hint of psychedelic rock. That band is Systematic.
Systematic broke out in late 2000. The band gained critical attention when they were announced as one of the first signings to the label, The Music Company, which was Lars Ulrich of Metallica’s record label. The bands debut album, Somewhere In Between was released on May 22, 2001. The album was produced by Peter Collins (Queensryche, Rush, Alice Cooper) and mixed by Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Slayer, Helmet, Rage). That summer Systematic was a part of the second stage of Ozzfest. They also appeared on the HBO show, Reverb.
Somewhere In Between is a sonic assault of pure heavy rock. The songs are written and arranged in such a way that the dynamics swing with each chord and note change. Rhythmically, it’s driving and flowing. There’s a fun tension in the way the rhythm section tightens and loosens to accentuate the down-tuned guitars. And thought he guitars are down-tuned, there’s still a clarity that shines through. Then you add in the vocals. Never hurts to have a singer that can really sing! The way the lyrics are conveyed is a sweet bonus. And the songs! There’s not one ounce of filler on this record. From “Dopesick” all the way through “Thick Skin,” it’s unrelenting. Those two tracks along with “Beginning Of The End,” “Deep Colors Bleed,” “Glass Jaw,” and, my personal favorite, “Bedsores,” are great stand out tracks. The title track packs quite the gut punch or two.
Systematic’s second album, 2003’s Pleasure To Burn, went even more into the rock realm. This record saw a lineup change as well including Slayer drummer, Paul Bostaph joining. The band worked with producer Howard Benson on this album. Which provides a stark contrast between their debut and follow up. While Somewhere In Between was grittier and heavy, Pleasure To Burn, is the more alternative side to the band. There’s still big rock songs like “Not Like You,” “Pleasure To Burn” and “Infected.” The focus though is more on the slower mid tempo songs like “Where We Live And We Die,” “They Say (My Soul Was Lost),” and “Leaving Only Scars.” The band would go on to tour as part of the Jäegermeister Tour with Breaking Benjamin and Stereomud among other tours. Sadly though in 2004, the band announced they were disbanding.
The members went on to form other bands and projects. Most notably, singer/guitarist Tim Narducci started the bad Spiralarms with Forbidden guitarist Craig Locicero and Stone Temple Pilots drummer Eric Kretz. I saw this lineup of the band in 2005/2006 and my what a band! Later lineups of the bad included Mark Hernandez and Chris Kontos. Bassist Johnny Chow, who was part of the Pleasure To Burn era, would join Stone Sour and Cavalera Conspiracy. Paul Bostaph went to play with Exodus and Testament before returning to Slayer. Original drummer Phillip Bailey most recently has played with (one of Audioeclectica’s favorites), Spirit In The Room.
2026 is the twenty fifth anniversary of the release of Somewhere In Between. It’s crazy to think I’ve been listening to it for that long. And yes, it’s been in steady rotation for me since I bought it in 2001. That record really is an underrated standout from the time. Especially during a time when there was a music identity crisis, Systematic knew exactly who they were and what they wanted to do. Most recently, Systematic’s original lineup of Tim Narducci, Adam Rupel, Phillip Bailey and Nick St. Denis have announced their return. Personally I’m very excited about this. It’s about time Systematic got their due as a great heavy rock band. I look forward to what’s to come! We need rock bands like this! No more over produced, generic, played out “rock.”
By: Brian Lacy
Somewhere In Between:
Pleasure To Burn:
HBO Reverb Performance:
