System Of A Down
Formed: 1995
From:
Los Angeles,
CA,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
This Los Angeles, California, USA-based alternative metal band comprises three members of Armenian heritage, Serj Tankian (vocals), Daron Malakian (guitar) and Shavo Odadjian (bass), and John Dolmayan (drums). Tankian, Malakian and Odadjian first played together in 1993 as Soil, renaming themselves System Of A Down, from a poem by Malakian, in 1995. Recruiting drummer Dolmayan they built up a following on the southern California circuit with their explosive live act.
System was signed in 1997 and quickly released their self titled debut in 1998. They were taking metal to a political level with such titles as "P.L.U.C.K." ("Politically, Lying, Unholy, Cowardly Killers") and live favorite "War?." Their next release (Toxicity) went certified Platinum and took the band to yet another level.
System have left an impression on metal, being compared to the likes of Korn and The Deftones. Here is a quote out of Towe Pulse Mag.: "The band's songs are fueled with rebellion and protest. And its diverse music which blends metal, rap, hardcore, jazz and Middle-Eastern melodies expresses the need to stir up the great American melting pot and unite against prejudice and injustice."
Latest System Of A Down News
Below is our complete System Of A Down news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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See: RATM & SOAD Members Unite On New Single
“ADJOURN IT,” a new collaborative track from Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello, System Of A Down vocalist Serj Tankian, and Tom’s teenage son Roman Morello, has premiered online. Morello and Tankian have long shared activist ties, having co-founded the Axis Of Justice nonprofit in 2002 to promote social justice causes and combat racism within the rock and metal communities.
Morello previously described the song as being inspired by: More...
Deftones Premiere New Track “Milk Of The Madonna”
Deftones are officially back for round two, as the Sacramento, CA alternative metal icons have just dropped “milk of the madonna”, the second single from their long-awaited tenth studio album, private music. The track—positioned as song #8 on the upcoming 11-track effort—is now available for streaming below.
This new cut follows last month’s launch of the album cycle, which began with the premiere of its powerful opener, “my mind is a mountain”.
The band’s latest chapter arrives after an extended creative process, with private music recorded during multiple studio sessions. Frontman Chino Moreno, in particular, emerges refreshed and reenergized, having embraced sobriety after navigating personal struggles during the pandemic.
The full album is slated to arrive on August 22nd, and Deftones have a packed touring schedule lined up to support its release. Catch them live at the following stops: More...
Deftones Premiere New Music Video
Following last week’s announcement of their tenth studio album Private Music and the debut of its lead single “My Mind Is A Mountain,” Deftones have now released an official music video for the track. You can watch the newly unveiled visual below. The album is set to arrive on August 22nd.
2025 live dates: More...
Seven Hours After Violet Premiere Single & Video
Seven Hours After Violet have just released a new music video for their track “Float.” The band—featuring members of System Of A Down, Winds Of Plague, Left To Suffer, and more—shared the clip in advance of Mental Health Awareness Month this May.
Speaking on the track, the group’s Shavo Odadjian offered: More...
Forbes Ranks "The 38 Greatest Metal Bands"
In an unexpected move, Forbes recently compiled a list of heavy metal bands they believe have had the “most significant impact on the metal genre”, factoring in the genre's overall history. Known more for their focus on business and finance, Forbes’ entry into heavy metal ranking has sparked conversation, especially due to some controversial choices in the lineup.
If you're curious and have some time, you can check out their full explanations over at forbes.com. For a quick glance at their picks, here's the list: More...
Headline News
Seven Hours After Violet Premiere Debut Single
Seven Hours After Violet have unveiled their debut single, "Paradise." The group, led by System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, also features Taylor Barber (Left To Suffer) on vocals, Michael “Morgothbeatz” Montoya (Winds Of Plague, etc.) on guitar/production, 'American Idol' runner-up Alejandro Aranda (aka Scarypoolparty) on guitars/vocals, and Josh Johnson (Winds Of Plague, etc.) on drums.
The music video for "Paradise" was directed by Adam Mason, with creative direction from Odadjian.
Speaking about the song, Odadjian commented: More...
Slipknot Premiere New NSFW Music Video
Fresh from the multi-platinum masked metallers Slipknot is the official music video for their track "Hive Mind." The video for this song from "The End, So Far" was directed by the band's percussionist and artistic director, M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan.
The acclaimed group was recently announced as one of the headliners for the 2024 edition of the 'Sick New World' festival in Las Vegas, NV. The event is scheduled for April 27th at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds and will also feature System Of A Down, A Perfect Circle, Alice In Chains, and many more.
Oceans Shares System Of A Down Cover
Oceans are back with their first new music since the release of their second studio album "Hell Is Where The Heart" Is last November! The German nu-metal band proudly presents their latest single "Chop Suey," a cover of the System Of A Down classic. As you would expect, the Germans have put their own stamp on the song, creating a darker version of the legendary track as they pay tribute to their roots.
Timo Rotten comments:
"'Toxicity' was one of my favorite albums when it came out, but I hadn't heard it in a while. Then Thomas dug it up again a few weeks ago and the question immediately came to my mind: How would this sound with growls? And whether I could do it at all. We just had to try it out. Did I get it right? I think you have to decide for yourselves." More...
Korn Premiere Full-Album Stream Of Brand New Album
Korn‘s brand new fourteenth full-length “Requiem” has premiered online and is streaming in its entirety accompanied with a visualizer for each song via YouTube below.
Korn‘s current touring schedule in support of “Requiem” looks as follows: More...
Korn Premiere New Single “Lost In Grandeur”
Ahead of this Friday’s, February 04th, release of their fourteenth studio full-length “Requiem“, nü-metal veterans Korn premiere their final single titled “Lost In The Grandeur“ from it. You can give that track a spin via YouTube and Spotify below:
Korn have the following dates booked to support their new release: More...
Serj Tankian Premieres New Music Video For "Rumi"
Serj Tankian premieres the below music video for his song “Rumi” taken from his solo EP “Elasticity“. That track pays tribute to both the 13th century poet Rumi and Tankian‘s six-year-old son.
Explains Tankian: More...
August Burns Red Premiere “Icarus”
August Burns Red premiere their latest single “Icarus” taken from impending “Guardians Sessions” EP. That effort will be released via Fearless Records on April 16th and consists of b-sides, covers and reimagined tracks.
Says bassist Dustin Davidson about the song: More...
System Of A Down Premiere New Official Music Video
System Of A Down premiere their new official music video for their song “Genocidal Humanoidz“. The group's own Shavo Odadjian co-directed the clip with Adam Mason. The video premiere follows a livestreamed fundraising event System Of A Down hosted via YouTube to raise money for the Artsakh and Armenian soldiers maimed amidst the Nagorno-Karabakh war that broke out this past fall. As of press time over $256,000 had been achieved via said fundraiser.
SOAD Raises Over $600k For Armenia
Following the surprise release of two new songs in aid for the Armenia Fund, System Of A Down has revealed that they have raised over six hundred thousand dollars for the organization. A statement from the band reads as follows:
"We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your incredible support of our campaign for the people of Artsakh, and for helping us raise over $600k in donations to provide for those in dire need via the Armenia Fund. Because of you, we will be able to help displaced civilians, young and old, who are affected by the hideous war crimes inflicted upon Artsakh by Azerbaijan and Turkey. Please take a few minutes to watch our full interview to get a more intimate look and understanding into why we came together to release 'Protect The Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz.' To the four of us, it's extremely important to share these truths with you. It is for our ancestors, our culture, and our nation. Help us spread the message. Watch the interview in full below."
Interestingly, a few days after the songs were released, the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia agreed a ceasefire, which was also signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin. While the agreement allows prisoners of war and fallen soldiers to return home, Russian and Turkish forces will be deployed to the Lachin corridor for at least five years, Armenian forces will withdraw from the territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan will also gain control of the Nakhchivan exclave, via a strip of Armenian land near the Iranian border. More...
Headline News
System Of A Down Releases Two New Songs
It's been 15 years since System Of A Down released new music. For years, fans and press speculated about this, and of late, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive hypothesizing when the band might return to the studio.
Today, motivated by the recently-erupted conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, the latter aided by Turkey and accountable for the greatest violence the region has endured in 26 years, System Of A Down - Daron Malakian/guitars, vocals, Serj Tankian/vocals, Shavo Odadjian/bass, and John Dolmayan/drums - announces the release of its first new songs in 15 years: "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz."
Produced by Malakian, who also wrote the music and lyrics, both songs are streaming now on all DSPs and are available for purchase on Bandcamp with band royalties earmarked for the Armenia Fund. You can check out the music video for "Protect The Land" below.
So why now? Last month, profoundly affected by the unwarranted surprise attacks and bombings of civilians perpetrated by Azerbaijan and Turkey (Turkey was responsible for the genocide of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915 as well as over 100 years of denial), Dolmayan texted his three bandmates. Said Dolmayan, "I texted, 'no matter how we feel about each other, no matter what issues linger from the past, we need to put them aside because this is bigger than System Of A Down and bigger than all of us... we need to do something to support our people.'"
Joined together on a subsequent conference call, everyone voiced the same concern and the vital importance of helping in some way, the way they knew best - music.
"The aggression and injustice being perpetrated against the Armenian people in Artsakh and Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey is a human rights violation and a war crime," said Tankian. "All of us in System realize this is an existential battle for our people, so this is very personal for us. What we need right now is for the world to put politics aside and support Armenia by sanctioning Turkey and Azerbaijan and recognizing Artsakh." More...
Headline News
Hellfest XV Rescheduled For 2021
Hellfest is the latest summer music festival to reschedule its 2020 edition due to the ongoing pandemic. The festival is rescheduled for June 18-20, 2021. More...
Slam/Goregrind Tribute Album To Nü-Metal Streaming
Imploding Sounds Records‘ slam/brutal death metal/goregrind tribute to the nü-metal genre saw a release this past Friday, February 14th. You can stream it in its entirety via Bandcamp below.
Track listing: More...
Iron Maiden, Kiss And SOAD To Headline Download
The organisers of the Download festival, the biggest rock and metal event in Great Britain, have announced that the 2020 edition will be headlined by Kiss, Iron Maiden and System Of A Down. A statement from the organisers reads as follows:
"Downloaders, the day is finally here - your first Download Festival 2020 lineup announcement is here! We couldn’t be more stoked to reveal that your headliners will be... KISS, Iron Maiden, and System Of A Down!
"Not only that, but NINE more bands will also be coming to rock the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, including Deftones, Korn, The Offspring, and Disturbed! Download 2020 takes place on 12th-14th June and tickets are on sale now, so make sure you grab em!"
The first batch of bands in full:
Kiss (Headliner)
Iron Maiden (Headliner)
System Of A Down (Headliner)
The Offspring
Deftones
Korn
Disturbed
Gojira
Alestorm
Black Veil Brides
Of Mice And Men
Daughtry
Just For Fun
System Of A Down Sock Puppets Parody Posted
System of a Pound tells the woes of drooling puppies in their single, Sock Chewy. The clip of course spoofs System Of A Down‘s hit single “Chop Suey!“...
Just For Fun
See: Trump In Hilarious System Of A Down Mashup
Below you can watch Trump singing a very good mash up of his speeches and System of A Down's classic, "Chop Suey"...