System of a Down - About The Band Their name was inspired by a poem written by band member Daron Malakian entitled 'Victims Of A Down' (commonly mistaken for what is written on the back of their first album). Fellow band member Serj Tankian felt that 'System' was a much stronger word[citation needed]. All four members are of Armenian ethnicity, grandsons of the so called Armenian Genocide survivors, and are widely known for their outspoken social and political views found in many of their songs. System of a Down is a part of the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization formed by Tankian and Tom Morello that is dedicated to bringing together musicians, music fans and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. Mezmerize/Hypnotize (2005 - 2006) From 2004 to 2005, the group produced a double album, Mezmerize/Hypnotize with the two parts released six months apart. The first album, Mezmerize, was released in May 2005, to favorable reviews by critics. It debuted at #1 in the United States, Canada, Australia and all around the world, making it System Of A Down’s second #1 album. First week sales rocketed to over 800,000 copies worldwide[citation needed]. The Grammy Award-winning single 'B.Y.O.B', which questions the integrity of war, worked its way up the Billboard Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts. The next single, 'Question!' was released with Shavo Odadjian co-directing the music video. Following the release of Mezmerize, the band toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada with The Mars Volta and Bad Acid Trip supporting. Following the release of the 'Hypnotize' single, the second part of the double album, Hypnotize, was released in November 2005. Like Mezmerize, it debuted at #1 in the US, making System of a Down, along with the Beatles and rapper DMX, the only artists to ever have two studio albums debut at #1 in the same year. Their second single off the Hypnotize album, 'Lonely Day' was released in March in the United States. In February of 2006, System Of A Down won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance for 'B.Y.O.B.', beating out other established artists such as Nine Inch Nails and rock veteran Robert Plant. The band headlined Ozzfest 2006 in cities where tour founder Ozzy Osbourne opted not to appear or wasn't playing on the main stage.