SOAD Understand: The Right Thing To Do Is Sometimes The Hardest

On the eve of yet another Mideast Peace Conference, this time in Annapolis, Maryland in America, The United States Government will try to broker a deal between many different nations tangled in hundreds of years of war, murder and betrayal. One of the trickier situations happening in the Mid East right now is the current build up Turkey's troops on the Northern Border of Iraq who are continuously being attacked by rebels taking refuge in Iraq, just across the border from Turkey. As The Bush administration continues it's appeal for Turkey to not cross the border with their troops and destabilize one of the most peaceful areas of Iraq, the Democratically controlled congress is in the process of trying to pass a measure recognizing the Armenian Genocide brought on by Turkey during World War I. Obviously the timing could've been better, but Armenians have been trying for many years to get Turkey to recognize the genocide which saw millions of Armenians slaughtered at the hands of Turkish troops.

Video clip :

In fact, System Of A Down, which is made up of four Armenians friends from Los Angeles, Daron Malakian, John Dolmayan, Serj Tankian and Shavo Odadjian whose families were affected by the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide, have put together 'Souls' concerts in the past to bring to light how necessary it is for Turkey to finally recognize their past. We caught up System of a Down's drummer, John Dolmayan, recently to get his thoughts on the current state of affairs as our government continues to pressure the Turkish government about the Armenian Genocide.

Watch video: System On Current State Of Us Recognizing Armenian Genocide

"I'm very proud of our role in System of a Down to help people understand and learn about the genocide. I understand America's policy although I don't condone it because the bottom line is doing the right thing is always harder than doing the wrong thing. It's harder to have Turkey admit that the genocide took place and then take steps to make it right by the Armenians that survived it. It's hard for America to take an ally and piss them off for basically a country that has two million people. There's more Armenians in America, I think there's more Armenians in Los Angeles than there are in Armenia at this point."

Dolmayan also realizes that The U.S. government is a tough position to ask one of their closest allies in the mideast, Turkey, to recognize a genocide hundreds of years ago, but it's something that must be done.

Watch video: Dolmayan On The Difficulties Of Turkey Admitting Their Past

"It's hard for Turkish citizens to look at their history, their grandfathers and say they were murderers. They killed innocent children and women and they raped them and butchered them and let them die in the desert. It's hard to accept that father was a rapist, you wouldn't want to know about it and you would deny it to yourself because your father gave you love. That's all you saw from your father. That doesn't mean your father didn't make mistakes."

Dolmayan even talked about having no ill feeling towards Turkish citizens, recognizing that some Turkish citizens risked their lives to help their Armenian neighbors who were being killed.

Watch video: Some Turkish Citizens Even Helped Armenians During The Genocide

"We don't have a problem with the Turkish people. A lot of Turkish people at great risk to themselves helped the Armenians during the genocide. They sheltered us and they probably would have been killed and lost everything that they had if they were found out. But they were our neighbors. You lived with them in the same villages and worked together. So, I don't know it's very difficult to understand why genocides and holocausts take place and why we have a tendency to kill each other. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me."

Although it's been a few years since System Of A Down put on a Souls Benefit Concert, look for it to be a few years more as the band is on an indefinite hiatus. Dolmayan and Malakian are in the process of finishing up their debut album from their upcoming band Scars on Broadway. Serj Tankian, having just released his first solo album 'Elect the Dead' is currently touring Europe before heading back to The U.S. for a more extensive run of shows for 2008. System of a Down's bassist, Shavo Odadjian, besides helping Wu Tang on some bass tracks for their upcoming album and starting a side project with RZA called Achosen, continues his work with UrSession, bringing an entire community of independent musicians together online. Obviously all the members of System of a Down remain incredibly busy and you can expect the bands hiatus to last a few years more.

Comments

[>>Eric<<]

SOAD is cool. I like Chop Suey! 1st comment.

[Acid-Lizard]

SOAD sux, they are nothing but hypocrites, they protest capitalism yet they charge $500,000 a show during Ozzfest 2006

[RHCP603]

Way to back up your arguement. System at least says what they mean and don't give in to what everyone else wants. 500,000, you should see what the other bands probably charged.

[Nightwatchman10]

soad is awsome

[eyezclosed]

they were the highest paid band that year.....

[:Revenga:]

I thought this was about them permanently splitting,
Like:
SOAD Understand that its time to part ways permanenetly

[jpast]

I always thought Serj was Lebonese, so I learned something today.

[brooklynsoulja1]

they deserve 500,000 for that show n they deserve a hiatus they're my favorite band of all time and they inspired me to look ito more music and even pick up guitar.I think its safe to say SOAD is a very influencial band

[jpast]

I just googled it and he is a Lebanese born Armenian American, according to wikipedia. So nevermind, I was semi correct

[metalguy001]

aren't SOAD split?

[Son_of_Kyuss]

System owns. One of the very few mainstream bands with a message and a simple one at that: The world could be a better place so let's all take steps to make it better, but in the meantime let's celebrate the good things about it now with some bitchin' tunes

[tud]

RATM has a better message

[l3xbi]

metalguy001 :
aren't SOAD split?

thats what i heard

and

>>Eric

[emo=Fights=yay]

soad are amazing but this is just clarifying old news. anyone who thinks that system sucks needs their heads checked. as for REVENGA's comment ... well im pesonally glad it isnt, not unless im really impressed by scars on broadway. SOAD will always rock peace out.

[Metal_Rich]

Interesting article, it's a hard decision to make when Turkey are currently doing the US a favour.

[sucay]

hypocrite sold outs, all em

[Black Label]

sucay wrote:

hypocrite sold outs, all em

prove it

[pucci6d6]

sucay wrote:

hypocrite sold outs, all em

thank you very much sir for stating why
i thought that they had broke up for good by the title...then i read the first paragraph and was like "...wtf"
but now its all clear when i read the whole article
and its better to have turkey acknowledge that the genocide took place, then to not acknowledge it at all, puts the US in an akward position

[in*limbo]

people keep sayin that they charged loads for ozzfest n stuff. but really, they still gotta live.

[imthehitcher]

Acid-Lizard wrote:

SOAD sux, they are nothing but hypocrites, they protest capitalism yet they charge $500,000 a show during Ozzfest 2006

since when have they said anything about capitialism?

ive heard them say shit bout government but never capitalism, Serj owned a company before he joined soad for **** sakes

what a dick head you are indeed sir, what more of a baseless pile of wank could you come out with, to be anti-capitalist would be pro communist and theyve NEVER sed anything along those lines, either you know nothing of soad or just a complete berk

[revan1013]

The people who claim others sold out are usually people who never made it themselves.

[noahray]

The people who claim others sold out are usually people who never made it themselves.

no shit sherlock, its not like any famous people sit around flaming on UG news articles

SOADs last two albums were horrendous anyway

[ThunderThor]

quote]in*limbo :
people keep sayin that they charged loads for ozzfest n stuff. but really, they still gotta live.[/quote]

Ya but 125,000 a night is way too much

[Bizzarosanta2]

how does any of this mindless bitching even relate to the fact that the genocide happened and needs to be recognized? get over yourselves people, something bigger is at stake.

[-metalhead-]

sucay wrote:

hypocrite sold outs, all em

wow, thats original...

[bassplayer275]

first of all... for those who say that they asked for too much money, not all the money goes to the band. lest we forget, they have a lot of people that work with them, they all get a share of the money for the shows/tours, etc. secondly, i cant stand when people talk shit in these comments... the article is about the possible resolution of the armenian genocide in WWI. it has nothing to do with youre personal opinion of the band. when people just leave a comment that says "system sucks" or something... it just irks me. just let it go. dont throw around hate in the comments. keep it to yourself. theres no reason for it. long live system.

[Mikke]

when you think about that soad spends alot of theire money on things like the Souls concerts and Axis of justice it doesn't seem that bad after all.

[Agony098]

Lol, how the **** did they sell out? They were starting to get pretty famous and then they went on this current hiatus to do what they want musically. Selling out would be continuing the band with no heart or soul just to make money.

Use your ****ing heads, idiots.

And about the article...this isn't really news to me or anyone who's a hardcore soad fan. They've been at this for years...

[WarwickFunk]

Yeah not really news if your a hardcore fan, or of armenian heritage. I knew because my grandpa told me stories.

[JD Blue Venom]

i respect system for their views on genocides and all this history thats been hidden but personaly i prefer rages view and rise againsts
and for that money thing 500 000 is HALF a million, think of what led zeppelin are doing; 400 POUNDS (probs 900 for americans not sure) PER TICKET i mean what ****s, charging ur fans who probably the majority of thought they would never see them in their life because their too young, I think their out to make money not system jeez

[Year Zero]

-metalhead- wrote:

sucay wrote:

hypocrite sold outs, all em


wow, thats original...

He didn't even get the phrase right that's the sad part.

[areese82]

I think its important that the Armenian genocide is recognized as one of the first atrocities of the 20th century. But I wish SOAD would do something that isn't politcally charged for once. What happend to making music just to rock hard and have a great time?

[EspMan7]

Revenga: :
I thought this was about them permanently splitting,
Like:
SOAD Understand that its time to part ways permanenetly

same here.

UG needs to learn how to title their articles properly

[leony03]

l3xbi wrote:

metalguy001 :
aren't SOAD split?

thats what i heard

and

>>Eric

they havnt permantly split. they are taking a break from the band to do their own albums. Serjs new album Elect The Dead is out now. They are splitting for like a few years or something. I would hate to see them permantly split. They rock

[Macabre_Turtle]

Acid-Lizard wrote:

SOAD sux, they are nothing but hypocrites, they protest capitalism yet they charge $500,000 a show during Ozzfest 2006

I've never heard of them protesting capitalism. And sorry to say, but if I could make $500,000 for doing a show, I'm gonna do it, as most sane people would.

[FS Guitar]

pucci6d6 wrote:

sucay wrote:

hypocrite sold outs, all em

thank you very much sir for stating why
i thought that they had broke up for good by the title...then i read the first paragraph and was like "...wtf"
but now its all clear when i read the whole article
and its better to have turkey acknowledge that the genocide took place, then to not acknowledge it at all, puts the US in an akward position

you sir, are a complete *******. you would rather pretend the slaughter of an entire race didn't happen then piss off a country that has nothing to lose by admitting its past. Americans have no problem condemning the genocide of native americans. it happed. it was wrong. we admit it. justice is worth more than "an akward postition".

also i've gotten to the point where i'd take "sell out" as a compliment. yes there are some despicable *****s out there, but most of the bands who i see getting the blame are just making a living off what they love. i mean, who wouldn't wanna play shows for 500k??? you can be rich AND do what you love! the american dream! IF YOU GO AROUND CALLING EVERYONE SELLOUTS, YOU HATE AMERICA.

[FS Guitar]

haha just realized i read that wrong, sorry bro!

[Shaned]

areese82 wrote:

I think its important that the Armenian genocide is recognized as one of the first atrocities of the 20th century. But I wish SOAD would do something that isn't politcally charged for once. What happend to making music just to rock hard and have a great time?

yeah same with me, i don't even understand half of their lyrics and then i go listen to like AC/DC and i get all of it...either way it's good that they're doing it and if there's a lot of armenians in america then they're not where i live because i know like 15 including my family

[sysD]

To the writer of the article:

1. Clean up all the grammar mistakes, buddy.


2. The Armenian genocide didn't happen "hundreds of years ago;" it happened in 1915.

[Vornik]

The American government is NOT putting pressure on Turkey to recognize the genocide, did the author of this article do any research into what he was writing about? Even the quote by Dolmayan mentions that the U.S isn't doing anything.

[DaveGilmour1189]

That's still only about a hundred. I'd don't like how they talk in the first person as if they we're personally there. Its just annoying grammar. At least they have more foundation to stand on in regards to this issue as opposed to their rants at Ozfest about Iraq.

[JMXW]

Turkey just needs to man up and admit it.

[Reebokanonymous]

Yeah System of a Down! Woohoo!

[freedom_dude12]

wtf its says that the genocide was hundreds of years ago

[BulletRide]

Screamers is a great movie everyone should watch about this subject. The movie actually follows SOAD around the world on tours and gives so much information on the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish government need to understand and say what they did was wrong. Germany doesn't deny the Jewish Holocaust they committed, and Turkey should not deny their Crimes Against Humanity.

Also a small fact: More people have been informed about the Armenian Genocide through SOAD's music than any other way all together.

[Insomnia57]

RATM has a better message

really man....really? How can you even say that after reading this article.

checked.

[slap-a-bass]

right on john

[Against_You!]

I found out about the genocide through SOADS music. It's an intresting topic. There's a pretty good movie out about it "ararat" or something like that.

[lynx0174]

A clear sign they have too much time on there hands
You stop making music
You make a lame solo album
i think really were seeing the very bitter sweet end to these guys.
Its nice to see them saying there political views but exercising media isnt right. Giving half of the view point is wrong as well.
Whilst were at it, we might as get the US to apologise for the red indians.

[Stevo013]

wow you guys are real idoits, first off... way to go off topic and start saying that SOAD sucks, cause you know what( you lame punk's) your all just jealous that they made it big and you guys are still hiding behind your little computer screen's at mommy and daddy's house,
secondly, how the heck would any of you shmucks know if getting payed 500 000 FOR A TOUR!! is to much or to little??? have any of you guys HEADLINED arena size shows on a cross america tour ? i didnt think so.
and last but not least, as much as im not a big fan of soad, and can admit that YES they are probably one of the more influencial bands of these days and that all you guys should quit whinning about who's good or not, cause we all have a different opinion anyways, and just go play guitar, oh and not to forget about the whole genocide aspect of this thread... whats done is done, its not like we can go in the past and punish the people for having comited such atrocities
so give it up already
thx

["Tele" Steve]

jpast wrote:

I always thought Serj was Lebonese, so I learned something today.

I believe he was born in Lebanon but to Armenian parents.

[LP4EVR]

the guitarist cannot sing

[Dümönd]

SOAD is awesome

Their message is awesome.

You may not like their music, but its off the beaten path, they didn't try to jump on a bandwagon like a lot of other bands around these days(like the emo band population boom).

[SourceOfLife]

The corporations man.
THE CORPORATIONS!!

[TooFast]

noahray wrote:

The people who claim others sold out are usually people who never made it themselves.

no shit sherlock, its not like any famous people sit around flaming on UG news articles

SOADs last two albums were horrendous anyway

I'm sure many would disagree.

[FS Guitar]

Shaned wrote:

areese82 wrote:

I think its important that the Armenian genocide is recognized as one of the first atrocities of the 20th century. But I wish SOAD would do something that isn't politcally charged for once. What happend to making music just to rock hard and have a great time?


yeah same with me, i don't even understand half of their lyrics and then i go listen to like AC/DC and i get all of it...

Because AC/DC has the mind of 13-year-old boy.

[dxpaintball8000]

I heard that SOAD doesnt like any turkish people. I have some turkish friends and they are some of the nicest people in the world. if SOAD just hates the turkish gov then thats aight and all the power to them, but if they dont like turkish people period then they can p*** off

[hard_rock101]

we all recognize the genocide, im tired of every peice of system news being about the genocide

[qwerty_555]

This article is not about whether SOAD suck, whether they charged $500,000 for a show, whether they can't sing or whatever. John is talking about the importance of the Genocide and really getting the message out that it has to be recognised.

Personally, their lyrics are very meaningful to me. Although my family and I may not have been involved with any of the things that they sing about, like the song Hypnotise, which is about the Chinese demonstration at Tiannemen Square.

Although I can't say that all their lyrics are serious. Haha

End of Essay
xx

[Guitar_Poet]

tud wrote:

RATM has a better message

*different message

[Anarion614]

Good article.

[thecameronator]

:Revenga: wrote:

I thought this was about them permanently splitting,
Like:
SOAD Understand that its time to part ways permanenetly

i agree

[fleetingillness]

Considering Ozzfest is like 20-30 tour dates,500K is nothing for that size band.

hard_rock101 wrote:

we all recognize the genocide, im tired of every peice of system news being about the genocide

Some people don't recognize the Holocaust.
The Armenian genocide was a terrible tragedy, and it deserves every bit of recognition it can get. Also, it's not about us recognizing it. They want the Turkish government to.

[Ali-b912]

SOAD are up themselves. Their message is from one thing that happened almost 1 hundred years ago. they want the current turkish government to accept it was a genocide. the current turkish government had no part in it, it was a different government with different veiws. had they accepted it was a genocide after ww1 they would probably still be insulted for it now. people still insult germany for the holocaust even though its not like modern day germany actually had any part in it. and half the songs say "screw america, someone else killed our families and america didnt wanna get involved because it wasnt their place but we will whinge anyway". there have been many people killed in worse genocides anyway and if we all memorised every genocide since the beggining of time we would all end up very depressed people.

[skate_guitar]

dxpaintball8000 wrote:

I heard that SOAD doesnt like any turkish people. I have some turkish friends and they are some of the nicest people in the world. if SOAD just hates the turkish gov then thats aight and all the power to them, but if they dont like turkish people period then they can p*** off

Did you read the article?
"We don't have a problem with the Turkish people. A lot of Turkish people at great risk to themselves helped the Armenians during the genocide. They sheltered us and they probably would have been killed and lost everything that they had if they were found out. But they were our neighbors. You lived with them in the same villages and worked together. So, I don't know it's very difficult to understand why genocides and holocausts take place and why we have a tendency to kill each other. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me."

[jfsj123]

to jpast he was born in lebanon uthis family are armenian and he lives in the USA

[MoonWise]

Acid-Lizard wrote:

SOAD sux, they are nothing but hypocrites, they protest capitalism yet they charge $500,000 a show during Ozzfest 2006

So, how are they supposed to bring their ideas to masses without using money, huh?

[Rolo]

im sorry im all for systems message but they did sell out guys..i bet the majority of you got into them after their first album, and it doesnt take a musical genius to see the sounds that they were and the big jump to toxicity 3 years later..and the jump from toxicity to mezmerize/hypnotize is again astounding...from brutally raw, unrestrained pure metal mayhem, to commerical pop orientated metal music...they definately sold out on their original principles..but thats their choice and its fair enough. just dont deny it cause they did! x

[iamweasel]

lynx0174 wrote:

A clear sign they have too much time on there hands
You stop making music
You make a lame solo album

First of all, John hasn't made a solo album, Serj has. And if he's made a solo album, how has he stopped making music? You must have just not thought about what you wrote, or you're stupid.

And I don't think attemtping to instigate political change is a waste of time. Face it, you're the one who's posting your lame opinion on the internet, and probably surfing 89.com and wanking. I'd say you're the one with too much free time mate.

[lynx0174]

iamweasel wrote:

lynx0174 wrote:

A clear sign they have too much time on there hands
You stop making music
You make a lame solo album

First of all, John hasn't made a solo album, Serj has. And if he's made a solo album, how has he stopped making music? You must have just not thought about what you wrote, or you're stupid.

And I don't think attemtping to instigate political change is a waste of time. Face it, you're the one who's posting your lame opinion on the internet, and probably surfing 89.com and wanking. I'd say you're the one with too much free time mate.

System wont make another album for a few more years
Not really making an opinion, but your interest in my fondling myself is worrying along with weird websites ?
Music cant make political change
Sorry to drop it on you like that

[nephilium]

oh, then what was woodstock?

[mchugh92]

haha so much arguin it makes me laugh, you are all fightin over which band is better (rage and system) and from my point of view theyre both good bands, but i dont like communism that much, and thats what rage promote, i dont think system take any other political stance except their own, which is good. and a lotta people need to learn that the past may be the past, but it still happened and it was a terrible thing, and im not sayin that the current turkish government had anythin to do with it, but theyre still part of a the country that did it, so they can at least apologize for what theyre countrymen did to the armenians, and if theres one thing i hate its racism

[sowhat360]

i used to like them but now i can't stand to even here that guitarists voice, ahh it's horrible....serj is cool though....about the money thing, once you're in a band that becomes as big as they are, so many people have their say in what you do...i bet they had no control over the contract negotiations

[SL!!!]

brooklynsoulja1 wrote:

they deserve 500,000 for that show n they deserve a hiatus they're my favorite band of all time and they inspired me to look ito more music and even pick up guitar.I think its safe to say SOAD is a very influencial band

They don't deserve a half million for one performance. No one does.

Music cant make political change
Sorry to drop it on you like that

Wow, you're a retard. Art is a huge source of political change. It's expression, and thus why it has been censored in past, because they spread ideas, and changing things.

Dolmayan also realizes that The U.S. government is a tough position to ask one of their closest allies in the mideast, Turkey, to recognize a genocide hundreds of years ago, but it's something that must be done.

Okay, what? It wasn't hundredS of years ago. And why did they even put this? It isn't a direct quote from the guy and they don't really cite that he said anything like it.

[Agony098]

Rolo wrote:

im sorry im all for systems message but they did sell out guys..i bet the majority of you got into them after their first album, and it doesnt take a musical genius to see the sounds that they were and the big jump to toxicity 3 years later..and the jump from toxicity to mezmerize/hypnotize is again astounding...from brutally raw, unrestrained pure metal mayhem, to commerical pop orientated metal music...they definately sold out on their original principles..but thats their choice and its fair enough. just dont deny it cause they did! x

One, they have never made pop oriented music of any kind shape or form.

Two, just because they changed their music style a little bit that wasn't to your liking, doesn't mean they sold out. You obviously don't understand the meaning of "sold out". Selling out would be going "Okay, even though we wanna take a break from SOAD to experiment with our own styles, were making an ass load of money, so let's just keep poppin out albums like this."
Or another example: "Wow we're raking in some serious cash now. I want more money, but I don't wanna make more music right now. Let's just start doing shitty programs on MTV and make our own clothing line."

Three....kill yourself

[Agony098]

Four, it wasn't a jump from Toxicity to Mes/Hyp. You skipped Steal This Album.

[Rolo]

i skipped steal this album because it was a rehash of all their old demos u fool...and yea they sold out loser. and my opinion is valid, i didnt slate them for selling out, and its not that i didnt like it, i felt it wasnt as strong as their original style and principles and there is a huge jump from self-titled to their latest stuff..i merely pointed out that they did and they have released poppy records for the metal scene..and tellin me to kill myself just proves how much of a narrow minded retard u infact are..grow some balls and listen to pantera! p.s. respect to system for havin the bollocks to do what they want and fight for what they believe in, and finally ive been a fan of theirs since the beginning something i can guaran-damn-tee u aint mate..so go **** yourself

[bassplayer275]

sysD wrote:

To the writer of the article:

1. Clean up all the grammar mistakes, buddy.


2. The Armenian genocide didn't happen "hundreds of years ago;" it happened in 1915.

lol, i was hoping somebody else would catch the 'hundreds of years ago' part. that made me laugh.

[riggsley]

who cares what he thinks about anything? he may be a musician... and music is certainly capable of spreading political beliefs... but him sitting on his ass babbling about politics is not art. it is a case of an ego driven ******* thinking that everyone is listening.

[I-Shot-Jr]

-metalhead- wrote:

sucay wrote:

hypocrite sold outs, all em

wow, thats original...

and note even spelled correctly. What a retard.

[mister bass guy]

well. they're not politicians. they're musicians. and i admire them for putting their beliefs through music. they're a great band. period.