dunno - as long as quality doesn't suffer its fine,based on my impressions from hearing both these albums' singles on the radio i would have to say this one rocks,the last one i hated but i haven't actually listened to any other tracks.but then, SOAD isn't my scene - now SOD, there's a band/acronym i can love

Well considering that "Steal This Album!" wasn't really an album...Their last true album was in 2001. In 4 years I think that they could've thought of enough to make two albums. So many things have happened since Toxicity's release, and being a "political" band, System of a Down must've had a field day with it. I think it's better to release both albums, even if close together, than keep the songs stashed away as B-sides, like every track on Steal this Album. They have always been an artsy band and the release of two "partner" albums in such a short period of time, I'm sure, has a deeper meaning than just releasing two albums that fast. Or hey! Maybe it's just a clever marketing scheme

I'm the System Of A Down-fan in my school. Listen to them all the time

Anyways, I don't think that releasing Mezmerize and Hypnotize so close was just marketing. They obviously fit together, so - this is just my two cents - maybe they wanted to release Hypnotize when Mezmerize hadn't fallen into the shadows.

Oh, funny thing. Various companies have CD-posters in the subway here. On one of them it says "Mezmerize" and tells the reader that it's released on on the 23/11. That's true but... It's called Hypnotize, damn it! Can't big fancy companies do anything right?

Don't feel mad Orillion. I've seen ads that said "Free gift card to Curcuit City!" After listening it to it alot more. I really like it. i'll go with parabolix's idea, 4 years was enough to come up with this much freshness.