Scars On Broadway: Daron Malakian Sets The Record Straight

Daron Malakian wants to make something perfectly clear. Scars on Broadway is not some “side project” he’s doing until he and the rest of System of a Down get back together. The former SOAD guitarist is completely serious about his new band and all that goes along with it. Which includes a debut album, (which is released July 29th), and an upcoming tour, that will embark soon after the record’s release.

According to Malakian, this record is an evolution from where he left off with SOAD, and he hopes a lot his diverse musical influences (The Beatles, Van Halen, Slayer and Sex Pistols just to name a few) can be heard throughout. Scars debut has everything from punk, classic rock, and the ever present Middle Eastern influence as well.

John Dolmayan (SOAD) is on board as the drummer, which Malakian is pleased about because of the history they share. But aside from that, everything else about Scars on Broadway is fresh and brand new. Malakian recently stated “Sometimes we tell people, We’re Scars on Broadway.” ‘And they’re like, ‘Oh I never heard of it.’ Which is fine with him.

In my interview with Daron, he talked about everything from his writing process, to System of A Down’s break-up or as Malakian likes to call a “separation”. He also sets the record straight on why the band decided to call it quits in the first place.

UG: After listening to this record, one of the first things that really struck me was all the different musical influences… Boy, I would love to see your record collection!

Daron Malakian: (laughs) I do have a pretty wide range.. My taste is everywhere…It’s what I really enjoy. I’m not trying to get into different stuff, I just truly enjoy the variety.

What guitarists inspired you growing up?

It wasn’t necessarily just guitar players…That’s the thing, I’m more impressed by songs than guitar playing. But drums were actually my favorite instrument growing up. I kind of played guitar by accident…

"The writing process is exactly the same for me as it was the System."

Really? Because as a guitar player, you have such an amazing wide range…Is that something you consciously strive for?

It’s what naturally comes out of me. I don’t put too much thought into writing music or playing music. I just do it. And whatever comes out of me, I try not to edit it. I don’t sit there and say you can’t mix metal with country. Or you can’t mix The Beatles and Slayer. I think you can, because it’s all music. And if it comes out honestly it will make sense. If it’s coming out like I’m trying to put a square into a triangle type of thing then it kind of comes off that way. I honestly enjoy everything from Hank Williams to Black Norwegian Metal to The Damned to Kraftwerk. And there are just so many bands out there… And I wanted to express some of those influences in Scars.

You also have an uncanny ability to combine melody with the heaviness. Do you think that has something to do with your Middle Eastern (Armenian) background?

To me that’s kind of like the root of who I am. For example, Carlos Santana plays rock n roll but while he’s playing rock n roll the Latin stuff comes out. And I bet he doesn’t think about it. It’s just natural. So, that’s kind of what Middle Eastern music is to me. It’s the music that was always there, even if I wasn’t listening to it myself, my family was listening to it. Or other people around me were.

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

Hasn’t been so far… I’m pretty comfortable doing both. Some people have to learn how to play and sing. Playing and singing has always been what I’ve done. Even when I was writing with the System stuff, I pretty much wrote the songs playing and singing in my living room.

I only ask because I’ve seen you play with System of a Down and you were always pretty animated…

Well yes, there is a difference. When I was playing with System I could be a lot more loose because I’m singing less. It’s just different now. It’s not necessarily bad or good or worse… And I think at this point in my life, I want to be a little more laid back.

Rolling Stone was quoted as saying, “Scars are Broadway aren’t overtly political.” Were you trying to make a political record or hope that it’s perceived that way?

No. But I think there are political things mentioned there. But I’m trying to get a pulse on society, not just politics.

And sometimes politics and society go hand and hand…

Yes, exactly. And the whole world in general goes hand in hand. Everything that’s involved in the world, from the lion that’s in Africa to me and you talking on the phone… It’s all connected. And that’s what I try to get across with my songs lyrically. Sometimes it’s really hard for me to explain what a song is exactly about. Because it’s exactly about a lot of different things.

Is the writing process different now, as opposed to when you when you wrote with Serj Tankian (in System of a Down)?

I never wrote with a partner. That was always the assumption…

"I'm more impressed by songs than guitar playing."

I made that assumption as well …

No, no don’t worry, it’s not just you. A lot of people assumed that Serj and I sat in a room together and wrote songs. I can’t think of one System song that was written that way.

Did you collaborate together?

I wrote the songs in my home by myself, and then I would bring the songs to the band. There were moments where I would have a chorus written and I would be tell them well I have verse here and this is what I think the melody should be but I don’t really have lyrics… So, about 90% of the time, System songs were written that way. Then they’re were occasions where Serj would bring in something and I would help structure that.

So, I guess the writing process hasn’t changed at all with Scars?

No, the writing process is exactly the same for me now, as it was the System. Where the difference is, like I said, Serj did have input in a lot of cases in songs, I definitely don’t want to disregard his influence on the songs. But the way that they were written, and the structure and everything was by myself. So, the collaboration would come more after I had kind of written and arranged the song. Then I would bring the song to the band and let everybody put their flavors into it.

How is it different at all, as far as where you’re coming from?

The difference is when I’m writing a song, I have different people in mind. While I was writing for System, I’d have Serj in mind. I’d try to write melodies or I’d try to write songs that revolved around topics that he would want to sing about. So, the style kind of comes out with him in mind. So, the difference now is, the topics that I bring in to my current band, and the vocal style for example in “They Say” is a very Johnny Rotten type of approach. I would never have asked Serj to sing that way. So, if I was writing that song for System maybe, it would of come out alittle different.

You mentioned in a previous interview that you and Serj will always share a bond. Have you been able to catch eachother’s shows?

I actually haven’t seen his. But he was actually watching us at Coachella. The only reason I didn’t see his, is because he played a day before, and we weren’t there yet. But it’s my birthday in 3 days, and he just paged me Happy Birthday. So, we really don’t have a bad relationship or anything.

I never thought that…

I know, but I’m just trying to make that clear because some people do.

Oh you mean all the rumors about why you broke up…

Yeah, and it was totally a creative thing. I call it a separation. And we separated. Some people separate and get divorced. And some separate and say one day maybe we’ll get back together. And that’s kind of where we left it off. I think our friendship is more important and us not hating eachother is more important to us than keeping a band together that might of ended us up in that situation.

"I think at this point in my life, I want to be a little more laid back."

And you left on a high note! You guys were huge when you decided to go on a hiatus.

One thing that I’m proud of is, if we wanted to we could have kept it going and really made a grip of money. I just see a lot of bands out there continuing, but they’re not really bands. And one thing is, when we felt that System was turning into that, we kind of stepped away from it.

Speaking of SOAD members you’ve got John Dolmayan on the drums… Does having him as your drummer give you some comfort and security as you start this new band?

It makes if feel like home. It almost feels like we’re continuing where we left off from. That’s what this album feels like to me. Because I did write a lot of that System material, for me this is just an evolution and continuation of my writing from there.

So, what will be happening next as far as a tour?

Well in about a month we’re headed out to Europe for around 3 weeks to do some club dates, and possibly a festival. Then we’re doing a US run in October. And then it’s the holidays, and so far there’s nothing planned after that.

Are you looking forward to playing smaller venues?

Yes, and so far that’s what we’ve been playing for the most part. It’s been fun. The whole thing that’s happening with this band and everything going on is just like a breath of fresh air. And it feels like we’re building from the ground up. I don’t know it’s just something I needed to experience, and it feels really good.

Daron, you have said that everything you do as an artist comes from your father (Vartan Malakian). Is that still true for you?

Yeah… The fact that he is doing all the art for this album… I feel that what I do and his art are intertwined. I wouldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for him.

Thanks for your time and have a great birthday!

Ok thanks…

Interview by Argie Plakas
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2008

Listen to "They Say" single at the band's official UG Profile.

Comments

[webbtje]

Well, he doesn't come across as any less egocentric than I always thought he was.

[horandago]

awesome interview

[Rukasu Rindu]

... What the..!? xD I lol'ed when I saw these pictures. xD Daron turned in to this? xD

[horandago]

haha, i know what u mean, but it grows on u and i think its really cool know. like when u enjoy a song just because its by a certain band

[break-me-in]

This interviewer sounds like he's treading on eggshells...

[alliwant]

Good interview. He seems to get a lot of bad press for being egotistical but he seems quite sound in this interview.

[The Spoon]

he looks amish.

SOB isnt very good, imo, but Daron is still a cool guy.

[THE BULGE]

pretty good i got thier album yesterday and its growing on me i think serj's is better but whos comparing? ive got tickets to see them both live anyway so if i just go to see shado's babalon movie i have collectivly seen system live:P. he seemed to really wanna get across that he wtrote most system stuff. hmmm:\

[boomtank]

i quite like the single 'they say', gonna try and get their album soon. He looks like crap btw!

[EpiExplorer]

myeh, to me hes kinda treating it like Ozzy Osborn, sure, everyones a great musician in it, but he's taking all the credit for it o.0 but I heard They Say, coulda done some work really, but it aint half bad. only thing I have bad with scars is that Darons lead singer and lead guitarist. that might kinda mess it up a tad..

[rip3149]

daron was always a great musician and songwriter in system, but not as good as serj. i feel that on this new record, due to the environment around him and the musicians, he is more comfortable and at ease, which compliments his style more than system did. basically i think that the daron we see in scars on broadway will be a better daron than we saw in system.

[mobious128]

Rukasu Rindu wrote:

... What the..!? xD I lol'ed when I saw these pictures. xD Daron turned in to this? xD

I thought he was trying to look like serj a little.....

[drummerdawg77]

he needs a shave.. haha

i would love to see SOAD reunite, but ill have to check SOB out, it sounds good

[Saikotic]

Great interview. Glad he cleared up some things.

[TheZookeeper]

I lol'd coz I thought the pic was Rick Rubin....

[cof_median11]

EpiExplorer :
myeh, to me hes kinda treating it like Ozzy Osborn, sure, everyones a great musician in it, but he's taking all the credit for it o.0 but I heard They Say, coulda done some work really, but it aint half bad. only thing I have bad with scars is that Darons lead singer and lead guitarist. that might kinda mess it up a tad..

Alexi lahio sings and plays leads for the most part

[Pierced Brosnan]

The interviewer is crap, he keeps asking suggestive questions, then Daron disagrees, then the interviewer acts like 'Oh yeah, i knew that' =/ also, there isnt really any complex guitar work at all, its probably the simplest material Daron's ever released, he's even commented in other interviews that he tried to focus on making the songs simplistic and tried to focus on good songwriting rather than technical riffs. But yeah, i've got the album and i'm impressed with it, its pretty good and even though i thought the interviewer was kinda crap, i thought some of the things about Serj and his relationship were interesting

[GuitarHero0715]

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

Oh yeah, like "They Say"

0--0--0-0-0-0-5--5--5-5-5-5-3--3--3-3-3-3-2--2--2-2- 2-2

[paperskyx]

Wow, call me stupid, but I had no idea that SOAD broke up. It's really disappointing, they were a great band.

[Rockerkidd14]

he kinda looks like the guys from ZZ Top

[redisni]

webbtje wrote:

Well, he doesn't come across as any less egocentric than I always thought he was.

so seconded

[mamason282]

sounds like he is a pretty cool dude

Oh yeah paperskyx u r stupid or been hiding under a rock.

[Rooster666]

he kinda looks like silent bob

Checked.

[insurgentsteve]

Rukasu Rindu wrote:

... What the..!? xD I lol'ed when I saw these pictures. xD Daron turned in to this? xD

He doesn't look, act, or sound like a frontman at all, he shouldnt ****ing be one. AND:

"everything else about Scars on Broadway is fresh and brand new"

Sounds a lot like later System to me, just without pleasant vocals. And "chemicals"? What an awful song.

[insurgentsteve]

GuitarHero0715 wrote:

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

Oh yeah, like "They Say"

0--0--0-0-0-0-5--5--5-5-5-5-3--3--3-3-3-3-2--2--2-2- 2-2

lol

[asfastasdark]

System was much better but Scars is turning out better than I thought it would.

[shinguards13]

Their album is complete crap.

What I got out of this interview:
"Serj did have input in a lot of cases in songs, I definitely don’t want to disregard his influence on the songs."

So, he made the songs good, while you brought in the "scars on broadway"-ish b.s.

Terrible demotion from system. I had extremely high hopes for this band especially after Serj's CD sucked so much ass.

[FenderMaster]

break-me-in wrote:

This interviewer sounds like he's treading on eggshells...

he sure does

[Quicksand15]

GuitarHero0715 wrote:

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

Oh yeah, like "They Say"

0--0--0-0-0-0-5--5--5-5-5-5-3--3--3-3-3-3-2--2--2-2- 2-2

+1

[littlebigjames]

Daron looks like he belongs in ZZ Top
lol
but yea he did seem like he wanted to get across that he wrote most system stuff
but who cares
i hope SOB will turn out good in the long run

[TBezza]

'Maybe play a festival (in Europe)' Reading and Leeds maybe? Please!!!

[j-walk]

Scars is good. Takes a few listens but those are usually the albums that I end up liking the most. I was always under the impression that System would get back together, but now I dont know. The problem with system is they climaxed to fast. How do you top Toxicity, you dont. And even though I thought they were not nearly as good on thier double cd \, thats when they really became the most popular. Thier really is no where to go from up but down.

[<Paper Cuts>]

YES! I heard the song They Say and loved it and knew right away he was the dude from SOAD!He and Serj are doing a great job so far

[sykguitaryst]

system reunion or fail

[Led_Zeppelin992]

He seems kind of bored.

[Metonyx]

Wow.. just heard both Elect the Death and SOB.. they both sound like a broken, incomplete SOAD.

But don't get me wrong, both have great songs. It's just.. in Scars, you miss the violent and commanding voice of Serj's, and in Elect, you get pounded with it over and over (though there are intervals which blow SOB by a mile).

Well, they got what they wanted, they all got a break and released solo albums. Now they HAVE to just get back together and ROCK! Please..

[Vasser]

Reminds me of Lars Ulrich if he had a beard, a hat, and aviators.

[Metonyx]

Vasser wrote:

Reminds me of Lars Ulrich if he had a beard, a hat, and aviators.

except this guy isn't always grinning like Lars lol

[jammyninja]

From what I've heard from the album...it's really mediocre middle of the road stuff.

[horandago]

Misfortune King wrote:

I can't believe system for this shit.

i think you mean "i cant beleive system (cos they're great) and im a tit" it rhyms with urs

[horandago]

people shouldnt knock it, listen to their songs

[soadrocker301]

system was 'turning in to one of those bands' because of the direction he took the band. he started singing more, wrote more pop, so instead of continuing on with that, he just made his own band. they arent that good anyway. hes ****in egocentrical too

[Anti Vicarious]

the new song chemicals on their myspace is ****ing horrendous. REUNITE SOAD!!!!

[[x]Huffy[x]]

PROTIP: SOAD haven't broken up, they're on hiatus, so please stop calling him SOAD's "former" guitarist.

[vultureofcultur]

omg im soooo excited to get this album i cant wait!
i shouldve reserved a copy
now im too late....
lol

[vultureofcultur]

well idk at the beginning he came off like a douche a little bit....
i personally think s.o.b is really good
anyone complaining that s.o.a.d is better is being stupid
you cant expect this to be the same because.....its just not!

[CrabShrapnel]

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

hahahahahahaha
Why don't you blow the guy a little harder? When you work for Ultimate Guitar, you think you'd know what intricate or difficult guitar work is. I want to see the interviewer listen to Hendrix and explode.

[olithebass]

nice beard

[77ari77]

Really? Because as a guitar player, you have such an amazing wide range…Is that something you consciously strive for?

yeah, keep kissin his ass UG.

the album BLOWS. Serj's is so much better... in every aspect.

Forget SOAD, Serj has proven he's just as good without than with.

Malakian, keep singing about how terrible the president is.

[Necrosaber]

I thought actually thought both albums were pretty good. People need to stop blaming him for the hiatus, it's simply not true.

[malakianisgod]

The album is amazing!
you just dont understand him and his style!
and he did write soads songs!
you can tell!
listen to cigaro!haha
just listen to somthing else if you dont like it!

[boxcharles]

Not a huge fan of SOB. Sounds like there was not a single thought put into writing the songs before they recorded them.

There is some catchy guitar elements that SOAD always had. That's about it.

[skippy_moogoose]

Well,best thing I can say is that at least "They Say" isn't as lyrically bad as the hunk of garbage that "Lonely Day" was...as for "Chemicals", it just seems like a lame attempt for Daron to come off as cool, by metaphorically yelling very loudly "LOOK HOW ROCK N' ROLL I AM,I DO DRUGS AND EVERYTHING!!"

[Necrosaber]

^Maybe you should download a leak of the album before you pass judgment on the entire thing. I wasn't too thrilled with Chemicals either, but there are alot of good songs on the album. If people give it a chance and lose this unnecessary Daron hate, they could begin to see it.

[freeloader1504]

sykguitaryst wrote:

system reunion or fail

There's no way in hell that that isn't going to be seconded.
+ 1

[zowie4ever]

Awesome interview... I learned some things I didn't already know about Daron and SOAD. I've listened to the record and it's friggin awesome. How can anyone diss this guy's guitar playing?

[soadguitarfan]

j-walk wrote:
The problem with system is they climaxed to fast. How do you top Toxicity, you dont. .

I'd say it's more how do you top the self titled album? if you ask me, the two albums after that they kept reasonably on the right track and then just blew it on Mez/Hyp. and daron is kind of an ass, yeah.

[zowie4ever]

Yeah, but whether he's an ass or not, I could care less. I don't plan on having him over for a BBQ. I just think he's a pretty ****ing talented musician. Lots of these guys have huge egos- and it's too bad.

[Necrosaber]

lol, why are people complaining about simplicity if System was just as simple?

Sugar, Mr. Jack, X, Deer Dance, Bounce. Toxicity, ATWA..?

Just to name a few..

[some_rock_fan]

Well, he doesn't come across as any less egocentric than I always thought he was.

lmao agreed. i'd really like to see system get back together at some point though.

[grille]

great interview. nice to know how he thinks alittle. it was fun to read.

[Shabalaba]

Yeah SOB is a lot more simplistic than SOAD, i am not sure to be honest, i think the overall band has a good sound but the fact of the matter is, if Daron wasn't in the band it wouldn't be a success

[dgme92]

To be honest, the only song I've ever truly liked that I think he wrote and sang is Lonely Day. I didn't mind him singing in System, but when he sang on every 2nd bleeding song it got annoying, because Serj has such a commanding voice and it's what we came to hear. I just want more SOAD :-(

[his dudeliness]

I heard this album, (I've got connections : ) and I think it's great! I would give it a 10/10! I honestly think that it is amazing, just like Serj Tankian's solo album, but I think that most people, when they listen to Serj or SoB, they expect to hear SOAD, which is not the case, it doesnt sound like System, and it shouldn't. A band is a special group of people and you can only get that sound with those people together! your not going to hear system of a down when you listen to Daron, or serj, your going to hear system of a down when you listen to system of a down, I love every album they have put out, just as much as I love SoB's new album and Serj's elect the dead album, I do hope SOAD get's back together, but they do what they want to do, they should let the media or the fans tell them how to life their music life, hell that's why they were so good! Because they don't care what people want, they put out what they want, and that's is exactly why everyone loves them, keep it that way.

[Rancid69Sublime]

No, just no. Daron's voice really isnt my thing...at least in this quantity. It really seems like he has gotten much less creative since soad. And yes i have heard the whole album, it really is nothing compared to serj's work. Serj opened his mind completely, and his voice is much more full and impressive. Like many people, "Chemicals", in my opinion, is just absolutly terrible. I really think he could have done a better job.

[TwistedDementiA]

skippy_moogoose wrote:

...as for "Chemicals", it just seems like a lame attempt for Daron to come off as cool, by metaphorically yelling very loudly "LOOK HOW ROCK N' ROLL I AM,I DO DRUGS AND EVERYTHING!!"

I don't think he is referring to himself in that song. From what I get from the song, it's about the bands that get such a massive ego from publicity, they all become narcissists and get caught up in things like drugs and eventually become one of the things they were against in the first place. But that's just my take on it.

[Tedward]

from what i see all these riffs and lyrics are just stuff that daron wrote while he was with SOAD but they never made the cut because they werent SOADs style, because he said a long time ago he had enough prewritten material to put out 10 CDs tomorrow :s

basically what happened to SOAD was entirely Darons fault because from this you can completely tell that Daron did write basically everything and he just got sort of tired of SOADs heavy originality, thats why Hypnotize sounds so ****ed compared to old SOAD

and i actually think this is a decent album, from what i have heard, its not progressive, its not uber heavy, its not original, its just Darons rock. people dont get that.

as for Serj, his stuff is OK but also you can tell that he wanted to do things his way in Hypnotize because his singing style in Hypnotize and his new album are the same, and the way Serj was going and the way Daron was going were opposite directions

and Daron does sing pretty good while playing pretty decent riffs, in SOAD and in some songs like Universe from SoB

[serjiscoolz]

his dudeliness wrote:

I heard this album, (I've got connections : ) and I think it's great! I would give it a 10/10! I honestly think that it is amazing, just like Serj Tankian's solo album, but I think that most people, when they listen to Serj or SoB, they expect to hear SOAD, which is not the case, it doesnt sound like System, and it shouldn't. A band is a special group of people and you can only get that sound with those people together! your not going to hear system of a down when you listen to Daron, or serj, your going to hear system of a down when you listen to system of a down, I love every album they have put out, just as much as I love SoB's new album and Serj's elect the dead album, I do hope SOAD get's back together, but they do what they want to do, they should let the media or the fans tell them how to life their music life, hell that's why they were so good! Because they don't care what people want, they put out what they want, and that's is exactly why everyone loves them, keep it that way.

FINALLY someone who understands.
+infinity for you!

[Dirtydeeds468]

Black norwegian metal, eh?

[ShadoW.GG]

impressed...

[qwerty_555]

The album is actually pretty good, I've had it playing on my stereo for the last three days now...his vocals can be a tad annoying a times, but overall the sound is really good. There are one or two songs that sound exactly like SOAD, and other with a completely different side.

I don't think there is any reason to hate Daron, after all he didn't 'break up' SOAD, they all mutually agreed to go on a break. Serj Tankian's album might as well be better than SOB's, but it all comes down to a matter of opinion. Daron and John haven't aimed this album at only a SOAD audience, they've mixed and matched to reach a new audience.

[dw_40]

the interview clears up a lot i didnt know about SOAD.
They Say is a crap song tho, the same four notes dude!!! the hat in the video is freaky too. Looks like tying to outdo Serj is all he's interested in.

[nachtbericht]

Tedward wrote:

from what i see all these riffs and lyrics are just stuff that daron wrote while he was with SOAD but they never made the cut because they werent SOADs style, because he said a long time ago he had enough prewritten material to put out 10 CDs tomorrow :s

basically what happened to SOAD was entirely Darons fault because from this you can completely tell that Daron did write basically everything and he just got sort of tired of SOADs heavy originality, thats why Hypnotize sounds so ****ed compared to old SOAD

and i actually think this is a decent album, from what i have heard, its not progressive, its not uber heavy, its not original, its just Darons rock. people dont get that.

as for Serj, his stuff is OK but also you can tell that he wanted to do things his way in Hypnotize because his singing style in Hypnotize and his new album are the same, and the way Serj was going and the way Daron was going were opposite directions

and Daron does sing pretty good while playing pretty decent riffs, in SOAD and in some songs like Universe from SoB

They did mezmerize in the same session so i can't see why the suddenly changed their style between mezmerize and hypnotize.

[tom-the-lawn]

I'll probably look into this, I've already heard 'Elect The Dead' and it was decent but System is better.

[Tedward]

nachtbericht wrote:


They did mezmerize in the same session so i can't see why the suddenly changed their style between mezmerize and hypnotize.

no

[AnEvilWalrus]

I miss SOAD...

and what's Shavo doing now then?

[boxcharles]

If System gets back together and plays a reunion show in the poorest village in Zimbabwe, with the mayor of that village playing drums, I would almost consider buying the SOB compact disk.

Only so I could melt it with a blowtorch and drop it piece by piece onto my flaming red croth.

[Levi79]

so...im confused. is SOAD done forever or are they just taking a long break. Personally Serj Tankian And Scars are both really good, just as serious and complex but neither sound as good and powerful as SOAD. I really hope they get back together or at least go on a farewell tour.

[False_God]

I think hes stuff is so subpar for a musician whos highly acclaimed. If it were an unknown band that recorded that album guaranteed people wouldnt like it.

[tmwtp]

AnEvilWalrus wrote:

I miss SOAD...

and what's Shavo doing now then?

he has a big hand in urSession. and i read he's scoring some vin desiel movie.

and i miss them, too. i would love to hear what another record with rob reiner behind the wheel would sound like.

new record's decent. can't stand his voice on 'they say,' though.

[master2sexy]

His singing in SOB sounds better than his SOAD singing,like its more his style,but i like Serj better as a singer

[Bondie_frost]

Serj is a better singer then Daron for System... but Daron sounds fukin awsum in scars. Johns drummin is excelent to!
ps. Love the new look Daron :p

[KingCheesehead]

I like the new record, but most of the harmonies will make you think "That part was basically written for Serj to sing."

[wicked_hobbit]

Wow he's fat now.

Anyway I think I sense some improvement in his vocals. Already ordered the album though I find "They Say" to be quite an irritating song.

[bucketned]

first glance i thought that that was the faith no more guitarist XD

[Comeback Kiddd]

When I heard the debut cd, i was expecting some serj vocals but i quickly realized it wasnt going to happen :[

[dupaman]

Wow, call me stupid, but I had no idea that SOAD broke up. It's really disappointing, they were a great band.

system of a down is one of my favourite bands, i hope they will get back together one day, kinda like silverchair ... exept i hope less then like 7 years lol

[slap-a-bass]

sometimes, simple is best

[Surrogate]

That one black and white picture reminds me of a Shawn Lane pic I'm seen.

[GNR'n'A7X]

KingCheesehead wrote:

I like the new record, but most of the harmonies will make you think "That part was basically written for Serj to sing."

I agree 100% dude; I had that exact thought. He said he wrties the same, so it's m=no surprise. I got that from Elect the Dead, too. It's just System is a hard this to just get away from. It's like Velvet Revolver. They're always compaired to GNR, and they always will be.

-DDP

[Tomo009]

I miss SoaD
Serj's solo album sounds OK

SoB, from the 2 previews which I can only presume they think are their best, sounds horrible to me
For 1: 4 NOTES ISN'T A SONG
Also, what happened to Daron's voice? He sounded pretty good in late SoaD but on those 2 it seems liek he's lost all control, Chemicals sounds like a teenager who just hit puberty is singing it. All in all, the only thing I like about those 2 songs is John's drumming, which also seems a bit simplified from the SoaD days.

Checked!

[Blasphemylol]

Congratulations, you have won us a year's subscription of bad puns, and a makeup story of consent and you'll set it up before it burns in opions, yeah yeah, opinions....

[GustavoGonzalez]

The SoB record is awesome, it shows that music isn't about technical solos and awesome vocals, its about the expression. and the Serj record is like uber squared, not only were the vocals kick a** he played most of the instruments, and it wasn't about propaganda and marketing, it was about expression. ;p

All in all, I think both records were awesome, one a little more than the other, hoping for a SOAD reunion in the next 10 years

[GustavoGonzalez]

tmwtp wrote:

AnEvilWalrus wrote:

I miss SOAD...

and what's Shavo doing now then?

he has a big hand in urSession. and i read he's scoring some vin desiel movie.

and i miss them, too. i would love to hear what another record with rob reiner behind the wheel would sound like.

new record's decent. can't stand his voice on 'they say,' though.

I thought that shavo was doing some work with Wu Tang Clan

[Kiffa]

I for one love every track on the album, and I would gladly suck Daron's dick...


...Whut? You say something?

[pootoob]

he looks like he's put on weight.

[staticparsley]

Im a huge System Fan, but I respect the reason that they decided to "separate". Im glad System didn't turn into sell-outs. I love both SOB and Serj's Music. But hopefully one day they will get back together.

[gavz_verdikt]

long live SOAD!!!!!

[Metallicaloveu]

SOAD have always been my favourite band for as long as I've loved music. I've booked tickets to see serj twice over teh next couple of months and just booked my tickets to see SOB without even hearing their albyum (it's in the post). I hope it's good and not all like "Chemicals" the lyrics didnt really impress me there...

[Goose183]

lol i looked online for the video and i came across the song in the game rock band...almost everybody is posting videos about how they got 100% on it because its so simple

[ElectricSledge]

Rooster666 wrote:

he kinda looks like silent bob

haha i was thinking the same thing (especially in that last pic). He also sorta looks like a fatter version of Les Claypool in that first image...ya know with the whole mo', hat and long hair.

[Captain Insano]

It's Blink 182 all over again!

[sia_uk]

if you concentrate on SOB's music as a whole (instead of looks etc) you'll see that darons album if about 10 times better then serj's. SOB's songs are like old SOAD ones

[Kelicon]

i got all excited, i saw the picture and thought it was Rob Zombie... then then i read the article title and all interest went out the window...

[bastiandimebag]

lol... Daron was a lot cooler before... now he looks like Vinnie Paul xD

[grungeisdead312]

paperskyx wrote:

Wow, call me stupid, but I had no idea that SOAD broke up. It's really disappointing, they were a great band.

haha
living under a rock??

[Agemoi]

SOAD was my favorite band when i was younger, their first 3 albums kicked ass and i listend to them all the time. Then mezmerize came out... Now, considering SOAD was one of my fav. bands at the time, i defended it, then hypnotize came out, and i realized Daron took too much control

I lose respect for bands when it becomes a dictatorship and the end result is sucky albums. I loved everything about SOAD until hypnotize, and come'on, a real fan knows Daron was the basis for their apparent "seperation".

He did everything but drums for their last two albums and, sorry guys...THEY SUCKED....god i tohught they were gonna be the next great Rock band around but no, their sales went UP, talent went DOWN, n they broke up, i used to look up to Daron as an idol but he disappointed the shit outta me which i thought was NEVER POSSIBLE

this is one fan gone

[Agemoi]

Well im exaggerating... lol... im still a "FAN"...but i lost respect for Daron as a musician, shouldnt have taken his musical frustration out on SOAD,

I dont mind change at all, but it was just SO weak.. to me BYOB and Cigaro were the only decent songs they did since

but opinions are like a.s.s.h.o.l.e.s....everyone's got em n they all stink..

[TH3_D0KT3R]

Dude, i bought the SOB album and i loved it. I've loved SOAD since i first heard them and i loved serj's album. i have every single SOAD album and Serj's album. Serj and Daron are both very talented musicians and in my opinion have never written any bad music. And anyone who blames the breakup on Daron is an ass because i saw an inteview with serj and he said they went on hiatus because they're band was getting too commercial and they wanted to explore they're other interests in music. Even though Daron did kinda to a certain degree take control but obviously they didnt care or else they wouldnt have let him do that. overall i hope that SOAD gets back together before i die so that i can hear their awesomeness again and finally be happy again.


... and Daron looks Amish or really Jewish with the beard and the hat. the long hairs cool tho.

[Mr. Parker]

For real, it is just the same riffs, over and over.

Oh yeah, like "They Say"

0--0--0-0-0-0-5--5--5-5-5-5-3--3--3-3-3-3-2--2--2-2- 2-2

That's the truth!

[metalist86435]

"Black Norwegian Metal"

That explains that one soad song that has a riff from Emperor

[strat0blaster]

Leggo the ego.

Good lord.

[chester.guara]

Was I the only one to notice the similiraty of the photos of Daron and Dave Grohl on the main page?

[littleleo88]

that beard is just horrible.

[Anjohl]

SOAD stopped being relevant when Malakioan took over the songwriting and decided he wnated to "sing" on the Hypnotize/Mesmerize albums. He has the most nasal and terrible voice I have ever heard. SOAD really stopepd being relevant after the first album, which is too bad, because the double album they did last had potential lyrically and thematically.

[MetalRaped]

The only time i can tolerate Daron's voice is when its layered behind Serj's

[Shazazmic]

He doesn't look like a 50 year old child molester at all!

[his dudeliness]

BTW
chemicals is an awesome song!
i just dont think people get the humor in it

[Harvey_Danger]

I wonder why any of you think Daron cares about how pleasant his voice is when he sings.

[SG Man Forever]

I liked System, but Daron is a huge *******, not to mention how (I think) he was lying about the songwriting process. He made it sound like he did 90% of all the songs, when the whole sound of the band changed once he started singing on Hypnotize/mezmerize. Not to mention his voice is terrible.

As far as the new album goes, I don't hate it, but I certianly don't like it.

[thunderhawk]

there has been a lot of media showing daron off as being like sort of a "freak" i have herd that he just goes and gets drunk and high b4 each show but really doubt that. and in this new album is seam more serious. he also looks way different like older... a lot older actually.

[Necrosaber]

^If you read the album notes, listen to the actual SOAD interviews, you can see that all the members, including Serj, know that to be true. Daron wanted to change how the writing was so that's why they sounded different than the first 3.

He's always been the main songwriter. He put together, for the most part, the music/melodies. Until Mez/Hyp, Serj wrote the majority of the lyrics with some collaborations with Daron. Musically, it IS 90% Daron, whether you like it or not.

Honestly, are half of the people that post here fans? Or just people who bought Toxicity and have been masturbating to it for 7 years?

[ChicNStu0017]

not sure how I feel about the interview, but I love the album, SOAD has always been my favorite band and this is just as good imo. I really like the whole album, it just sorta grows on you.

[Anonymouslyours]

is it just me?
or do daron and dave [from foo fighters]
look alike in today's front page pictures?

[Strausser33]

i love system of a down not too many "real" fans out there.....and if your wondering wat i mean its when you like a band b4 they got famous b4 they became mainstream kind of

personally this interview made me feel better cuz i couldnt stand daron til this.....he failed to mention pissing shavo off with writing the bass riffs for the last cd.....but anyways serj is doing good and i hope daron shaves soon he looks like jesus lol

[Strausser33]

wow i downloaded most of the CD and it sux really bad the lyrics are horrible.....i dont like his voice.....his role in system is where he belonged sorry daron

checked.

[Mr. Parker]

daron malakian could heads up outplay anyone posting here hands down.

Well seeing how he is a profesional we should all hope he can play his guitar better then most of us...but he is far from great, playing power chords in Drop C really fast is the hardest thing there is...and the singing, well yeah, nothing that hasn't already been said...

[69usefulidiot69]

Serj should do something with tool or something lol. That way ill be happy because scars on Broadways album isn't very good. Daron's not even singing like he sang in system with the higher pitch voice. God lonely day and lost in Hollywood were better than this and those are basically just Daron singing why cant he make songs like that and find a deep voiced backup singer. Fuck it theres not very many good new bands coming out not even if they descend from a great band.

[Domine6377]

i was gonna buy this album but i listened to the 30 second demo on itunes and im glad i did cause this album is shit. i respect those two guys so much but this is really bad. cute machines has to be the worst song i have ever heard in my life. i wish SOAD would get back together and make more music.

[xkingd117x]

Sure, his music is rather simple at points...
But I don't see many people in here who've written the entire Toxicity Album, or SoaD's Self-Titled. And bash the new ones all you want, they are not that bad. I'd listen to them before almost any other record released those years. Until you've started a band that's managed to sound unique throughout all of these years, and still be on top, don't begin to bash his playing.
Main point - SoB is old system without Serj. Not so much "They Say", but Chemicals sure reminded me of old System. And quite frankly, I love that song. The humor, his satire, is fantastic.
I loved Serj's CD too, but... it seemed slightly too bland. The songs kind of blended with each other after awhile, he needs to deviate a little bit with his tempo and instruments.
Hopefully Daron and Serj get their stuff out of their system and realize that their best music is written together..
-D

[Fecker]

Hmm I wonder how they let him fly on planes with that hair and beard and the whole middle eastern look

[evil_armada]

personally the sob style isn't what i listen to but i like most this album. i guess this album does sound like hypnotize in many ways. Babylon is very similar to holy mountains. but he's changing and i think its good stuff. some songs like they say are... boring. i do wish it would be a little more progressive but overall i love the songs.

system are gone. i think they are done being creative with each other. and for all those saying the last 2 albums were shit i say grow up. listen to every album from start to finish. musicians that can create a variety of music that diverse deserve all the praise they can get

[wildchild6660]

Luk at da pics! What the hell happened to daron?? Luks amish or something

[Ingsoc]

System of a Down/Scars on Broadway/Serj Tankian will never be as good as they were from their debut alum through Toxicity. Everything from then on was a gradual downhill slide.

Serj's music sounds lazy and is distinguishably made to empower vocals and not stand on it's own, so what we have with Serj's deal is an entirely vocal centric band lacking the cool instrumental from System.

Scars on Broadway is lazy in pretty much every way. Repetitive lyrics, equally simplified music form, and a surprisingly tame display from Dolmayan. I sort of expected Daron to half ass the guitar on this album but I didn't expect John to be equally lazy. I think every song on the album is in 4/4 and follows almost the same pattern throughout. Very disappointing stuff. Daron can create chilling riffs when he wants to but seems to avoid it whenever possible. He's like the opposite of most guitarists.

[JHall91]

For the record, the interviewers name is 'Amy Kelly' so I think it's a girl...not a "he" as you all keep saying.

[el_frijolero]

dude!
daron has a beard!?
WTF!

[strat0blaster]

el_frijolero wrote:

dude!
daron has a beard!?
WTF!

wildchild6660 wrote:

Luk at da pics! What the hell happened to daron?? Luks amish or something

Fecker wrote:

Hmm I wonder how they let him fly on planes with that hair and beard and the whole middle eastern look

When you put out your first solo album and the only thing people find decent enough about it to talk about is a beard, it doesn't speak well for the music. Not at all.

Rightly so - the album blows.

As an aside - if he really DID write 90% of SOAD's stuff, then it's no wonder they "seperated" as he so sophomorically put it. A break up is a break up. Don't sugarcoat it. He would have gotten more respect if he'd just have said "I wanted more spotlight time, so I'm doing my own thing."

[Venom77]

If He Grew His Beard Longer He Could Join zz Top. Hahaha. (No Offence To zz Top) He Looks Way Different Now.

[Lauri]

Anti Vicarious wrote:

the new song chemicals on their myspace is ****ing horrendous. REUNITE SOAD!!!!

Listened to the album last night. It just seems like System without Serj. That Chemicals song just ruined it for me, though. "Come eat some chemicals with me, come eat some chemicals".....

[XMusicXMonsterX]

wuts the matter Daron, missin Serj? cuz wuts with the beard? seriously lol. k heres my opinion. Daron was an amazing musician when he had serj's input. now i just feel like most of his music makes no sense (as seen in the last 2 system albums...[mainly hypnotize, mezmerize was fairly well thought out] and kinda steal this album as well.lol) i believe when system first came out they had a message. They also had a certain style that no one else had and thats what made their fans love them. now scars has its own style as well but it has no point, no message and i think that will be their downfall. that and darons voice kind of irritates me. anyways i got the new album and its fairly decent but nothing near Darons music when he was with SOAD. And also, Daron, if you say you have a bond with SOAD yet then why do you try to showboat them and take all the credit and make it clear that the credit belongs to you? and now in this interview you hardly give SOB any credit at all... just wonderin sounds kind of selfish. and how come no one ever mentions Shavo? lol i love him! and his beard! but Achozens not rilly my thing lol. DEUCES!

[XMusicXMonsterX]

also i noticed that daron stole alot of the beats and riffs from other songs such as the famous repetative line from SOAD "we're on drugs, We're all on drugs" lol and i too noticed darons laziness... wut the hell dood?!?! i play guitar and you early system stuff some of its pretty badass. but this is pathetic.

[ML28Dude]

good interview he cleared up a lot o stuff bout y SOAD "seperated" i really liked system, serj was cool but iv heard they say n think its pretty good so ill giv SOB their chance

[Necrosaber]

XMusicXMonsterX wrote:

also i noticed that daron stole alot of the beats and riffs from other songs such as the famous repetative line from SOAD "we're on drugs, We're all on drugs" lol and i too noticed darons laziness... wut the hell dood?!?! i play guitar and you early system stuff some of its pretty badass. but this is pathetic.

He didn't steal it, it wasn't even a System song. It was just a little diddly he did as an opening for some concerts. Serj on the other hand, re-did System's song, "Blue".

Try harder next time.

[screamsoftly]

XMusicXMonsterX wrote:

i believe when system first came out they had a message. They also had a certain style that no one else had and thats what made their fans love them. now scars has its own style as well but it has no point, no message and i think that will be their downfall.

Your grammar makes me sick, but I kind of agree with you. System was great and I love all their albums but it seems like both Serj's solo album, and this one don't really capture what System did.

Ch-ch-ch-checked

[horandago]

thunderhawk wrote:

there has been a lot of media showing daron off as being like sort of a "freak" i have herd that he just goes and gets drunk and high b4 each show but really doubt that. and in this new album is seam more serious. he also looks way different like older... a lot older actually.

u do realise that he smoked pot to write these songs

[ColdbringeR]

I hope this project flops and he goes back to SoAD. I'm sick of seeing musicians find success, decide it's not good enough, then go on crappy solo/SIDE projects that are never as good as their original band.

[TrippyLantern]

This album kinda sums up Daron's position in SOAD. He writes great melodies and riffs, but his lyrics aren't the greatest.

Personally, I can't wait for Shavo and RZA's project.

[deluxe_man]

I'm gonna have to disagree with everyone now. I've not bought SOB's album yet, but the two tracks i've heard (they say and chemicals) I thought were pretty catchy. I thought that System's last 2 albums were the best, toxicity and self titled were very good don't get me wrong. As for sej's solo stuff I do like it, it just seems that serj took System's heaviness and daron the catchy melodies and riffs. That's what I think but, good on them for doing their own thing...

[deluxe_man]

I'm gonna have to disagree with everyone now. I've not bought SOB's album yet, but the two tracks i've heard (they say and chemicals) I thought were pretty catchy. I thought that System's last 2 albums were the best, toxicity and self titled were very good don't get me wrong. As for sej's solo stuff I do like it, it just seems that serj took System's heaviness and daron the catchy melodies and riffs. That's what I think but, good on them for doing their own thing...

[Jmz123]

After reading about 4 or 5 people saying Chemicals is a bad song, I had to listen.

It really is awful. It picks up at the chorus but the lyrics are still terrible "I'll piss on your face while you suck my cock".

Also, what's his obsession with the lyric "**** the world". It's said 3 or 4 times in They Say and then another few times in Chemicals :S Just something I noticed

[zeroyon]

Daron rocks this whole album. Talk all the trash you want... if it was labeled System of a Down then everyone would be calling it perfect.

It's a new sound for him, and if you listen to what he says about the new direction, you can totally hear it in the music.

No, its not Beethoven. It's punk rock. Deal with it.

[Gh057]

I don't even give a **** if its not SOAD anymore, I don't even care if there ever is a SOAD ever again. They're all doing what they've gotta do. I like this, and I like Serj's.. thing (its what i'm calling it.. its not Soad, but it ain't Serj either XD)

Tbh, it seems a little unbelievable that he wrote EVERYTHING. especially when Serj's stuff sounds liek shit from SOAD days and I mean exactly like SOAD days, but with some piano lol.

[InsomniaRocks]

A poopy album.

if it was labeled System of a Down then everyone would be calling it perfect.

And no, defintely not. Coming from Daron, someone who had a hand in what I still think is one of the most stylistically unique and creative bands in recent years, this was a big let down...and for me its alot to do with the mind numbing simplicity and straightforward structure of his songs. Coming from the guy who played in **** the system, peephole, radio/video, darts, and tons of other songs that really felt like something truly inspired when I first heard them, this album is almost laughable.

[his dudeliness]

Also =]
(i need to find a new thing the talk about)
ive seen a lot of cmts (trust me, im just bored =) )
saying that daron sux some serious D on the guitar, i think he is awsome, but someones' skills are determained mainly by opinion, but, i think, not considering his guitar skills (which I think he is great) he is a very talented person, i mean think about it, he made millions of dollars and sold millions of CD's, because of inovation. He did things, no other guitar player did, like drop C for an example, not very many do that, i can think of some, but just a handful, another example:suite-pee, i mean honestly, who thinks of making a song out of natural harmonics! its great!,those are just some examples, but really, think about it, he is extremley talented, that's not even counting his "guitar skills"
my main point is, this is for all the ppl who hate him and his music (deff not me =])and think's he is trash (also not me) then think about this, he is obviously doing something right because he is making a lot of money, known by millions of people, and has celebrity freinds, do u? (u being anyone who hates him) + we are talking about so really, get the pic, u suck, not him, or else u would be the one with the major cash flow and popularity

[|Heretic|]

Well, well, well. So a lot of people don't like Scars on Broadway? What a surprise.. Think your being controversial, or just jumping on the band wagon (the majority, not all)? The fact of the matter is is that some of the people who dislike this stuff hate it because its not amazingly complex (rather closed minded don't you think), some don't like Darron's vocals/lyrics (fair enough) and the majority are just following the people mentioned before because they think its cool.

I like the album, simple, but powerful, and I like his vocals. Yes, I like System, and i like ALL of their stuff. But i personall prefer S.O.B's music, because i think its much more laid back and chilled, and not in your face likes System tended to be. But its all good.

[guitaringnathan]

[quote]|Heretic| wrote:

Well, well, well. So a lot of people don't like Scars on Broadway? What a surprise.. Think your being controversial, or just jumping on the band wagon (the majority, not all)? The fact of the matter is is that some of the people who dislike this stuff it because its not amazingly complex (rather closed minded don't you think), some don't like Darron's vocals/lyrics (fair enough) and the majority are just following the people mentioned before because they think its cool.

to be honest i probably wont buy this album because everyone else said this stuff sucks. I listened to they say, and i thought it was ok, kinda catchy but i figured i'd wait to see what other people thought till i spend my hard earned money on this stuff. if everyone else says this stuff sux then i'l probably agree and move on.

and i dont like his vocals either, he's a decent lyricist but sometimes try too hard to be controversial (i dont think i spelled that right) and thats mainly why i didnt like hypnotize and mesmerize as much because he was singing so much

[Skylargann19]

I have to say that personaly Serj by himself is ok, daron by himself is ok, but together they were great because they both combined something different.
Its like a peanut butter sandwich.
Jellys not good by itself.
Peanut butter is ok by itself
But together they're amazing. lol

[Faxl]

Skylargann19 wrote:


Its like a peanut butter sandwich.
Jellys not good by itself.
Peanut butter is ok by itself
But together they're amazing. lol

That's pefect, well said.
They Say + Chemicals are fantastic IMO, can't wait for the album and their Birmingham date.

[delmiguel]

"ILL PISS ON YOUR FACE WHILE YOU SUCK ON MY COCK"

yeah, great stuff right there.

[j-walk]

If you ignore the fact that the riffs aren't system riffs from the first three albums, it is a really good album, a change up if you will. Those system days are long gone and will never be re captured like Metallica's old stuff. Why bitch? When i'm driving in my womans car constantly hitting the seek button because I want to boot **** the dash listening to the ****in shit they play on the radio, I would gladly blast the SOB album.

[lextexrex]

Like the shades, keeps me from seeing the creepy bulging eyes.

[mafuhungy]

SOB and SOAD can't be compared they're two different types of music, i still love SOB because its got that same kind of middle easter influence to it and darons musicianship and at parts the guitar sounds like hendrix and theres johns drums which have always been quite distinctive

Id like system of a down back for certain, but this stuffs great too im happy with the album really its got all the fun songs like chemicals and stoner hate but its got serious stuff too like babylon or world long gone

I like the punk influences too because ive been a punk fan for years before i was a metal fan so ill always have the love of it in me
darons mixture of classic rock, electronica, metal, middle eastern, punk, beatles type music all into a nice little package is cool too

[mafuhungy]

Dirtydeeds468 wrote:

Black norwegian metal, eh?

yea i didnt find black norwegian metal either, hes probably just referring to a band he likes listening to

[KaduchiZ]

Rockerkidd14 wrote:

he kinda looks like the guys from ZZ Top

LOL xD

[FulmetalAlkemis]

interview was great helped me understand a lot more about the separation but yeah for sum reason in one of the songs it reminds me of MCR....

[Tetran]

whoever typed this interview out must be in like...sixth grade or something...for trues.

[CHOCOmoney]

the album was ok, but the song writing could really use some work, and darons a real poumpous ass

[southern_stylin]

his dudeliness :
I heard this album, (I've got connections : )

Yeah, me too. HMV.

To me it sounds like Daron was thinking, "OK, I'm such a badass artist that I can put 60% into making an album and it'll be gold. If it sucks I can explain it all away as art and nevermind you all wouldn't understand. If you'd have told me in '94 that this is how S.O.A.D. would end up, I would have told you where to go and no damn mistake. Never thought I'd say it but I miss the early nineties when *gulp* music was good.

Checked

[J-Kat]

i think scars is a good band, but SOAD was the best and and when you take something perfect and split it in half... you only have 50%(duh) and by himself he is no where near as good, still good, but not anywhere near the par he was at.

[anna_sao]

yeah... I don't think that SOAD is getting back together. And sorry daron, but those huge glasses aren't hiding the fact that you've put on a few

[pegasus402]

Okay i read something about SOAD being as simple (guitar wise) as SOB well.. bottom line is there ARE SOAD songs that are indeed simple BUT they have melodies mixed in via the vocals,drums, and bass so the song may be simple but the melody of the whole thing is simply insane.. I have listened to SOB and they.. sadly arent nearly as melodic as SOAD.. SOAD NEED TO REUNITE!! give us our favorite band back!!

[sadsadtoaster]

I love the album artwork. Unfortunately, that's the best part. Better than the guitars, better than the vocals. And better than ditching your tour after sellin the tickets, that's for sure.

[Josh Shiells]

Something big is happening, I suspect.

You don't just say your 'heart isn't into touring'.

I don't know what, but he's not going to be idle for the next year.

I think some of the songs were written just to be catchy (They Say, Chemicals). But Babylon, Universe, and Whoring Streets are brilliant.

I predict SOAD reunite before 2010.
I think four years is too long for a band to be on hiatus if they're a modern band like SOAD.
Come five years, Serj may be finding it hard to hit a lot of the notes.

Give it time.

[RicheyVOX]

I enjoyed this, Good for Darron.
And as far as many of the comments in here go, if you don't like it ignore it who cares? We don't

[RicheyVOX]

Daron*

[Rage-John]

This interview makes him look really really egotistacle, but he I don't think he is really. I have to say though, I think the SOAD stuff is way better than the SOB stuff.

Hopefully he shaves and gets a haircut before SOAD are back.

[josh3111]

I think the scars album is great. A good mix of styles. Who cares if a song is just four chords. I can think of plenty of great songs that are very simplistic.

[Nüguns]

GuitarHero0715 wrote:

There’s also a lot of intricate and difficult guitar work on this record. Do you think it might be a challenge to both play and sing this music live?

Oh yeah, like "They Say"

0--0--0-0-0-0-5--5--5-5-5-5-3--3--3-3-3-3-2--2--2-2- 2-2

Hell, I've been playing for what, two weeks?
I suck at guitar, and I can play the entire song.

Meh. All I've heard is "They Say", I think it's an alright song. Simple, but still good.
With some kick-ass lyrics as well.

[EcLiPs3_666]

i don't like it when daron sings about something serious it just doesn't sound right i geuss im just used to him and the random shit he does. i think serj is good poet too i thought he done at least half of soads songs but apparently not anyway daron is good with lyric and serj is good with vocals it was better when it was combined