When System Of A Down Return, They Will Be A Stronger Band

System Of A Down have certainly enjoyed tremendous success around the globe with their infectious blend of hard rock mixed with elements of middle eastern music built around socially political lyrics. Of the bands five albums, four of them have gone platinum and one, 2005's "Toxicity" has been certified multiple platinum with sales of over seven million units worldwide. After System Of A Down's last tour, which was 2006's Ozzfest tour, the band unexpectedly took an indefinite hiatus leaving many fans stunned, considering their last two albums "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" both were number one The Billboard chart in the same year.

Video clip :

We caught up with System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, who was in the studio mixing the debut album for his latest project Achozen, to get his thoughts on System Of A Down coming back a stronger band after their hiatus.

 When System Of A Down Return They Will Be Ten Times Better

"When System of a Down formed we didn't form thinking that ten years from that day we were going to be number one on Billboard, you know what I mean and there'd be a riot going on somewhere if we can't play a show or that we'd be winning a Grammy and having a number one album we just did it because we loved to and I guess that does show. And we did it organically and we did it without catering to anyone besides ourselves and after so many years of doing that we had to kind of chill so we can not stop doing that and hopefully when we get back together it will be stronger than ever. Cut that...when we get back together again it'll be ten times stronger than ever."

So has there been talks between System Of A Down about when the hiatus will end?

 System Of A Down On Hiatus Not Broken Up

"There's always been talks. We didn't break up. This always has been and is hiatus. I know it's a time where we're taking off from working with each other and working with others. Not meaning we aren't going to get back together and work with each other again it's been a really long time that we have been together, but like I said before we're friends."

Although fans can expect System Of A Down to get back together, clearly there is no time frame as each member continues working on other projects. Shavo Odadjian will be releasing a Hip Hop record with his latest band Achozen, which also features RZA from The Wu Tang Clan. Serj Tankian, after a successful solo album "Elect The Dead" will begin recording another solo album in 2009. Guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan have formed Scars On Broadway and released their debut album, but the band cancelled their tour but hopefully will be back on the road in 2009.

Comments

[Kiffa]

Good news about SOAD, there will be a reform, good day for me.

[Newagehippy,inc]

good stuff, soad are amazing live, really talented guys. would rather see soad reunite than see the solo bands, serj tankian on his own not so good, a bit too political for my liking

[SlicedBread]

Newagehippy,inc wrote:

good stuff, soad are amazing live, really talented guys. would rather see soad reunite than see the solo bands, serj tankian on his own not so good, a bit too political for my liking

hmmm i really liked that, scars on broadway though, eewwwww

[thirdeye_15]

haha ...

"hmmm i really liked that, scars on broadway though, eewwwww"

I think Scars on Broadway is WAAAAY WAAAAAY better than Serj's solo projekt... i kouldnt listen to the whole thing , it was like... how do i put this... it reminded me of stuff that dint make the cut for the last 2 system cds... which in my opinion a little weak for SOAD... I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

[The_String_Man]

i hope a TOXICITY album!
(or maybe a steal this album)

[CTFOD]

I really liked Serj's album, I even went to see him live. I really kind of hated SOB and I hope they don't go down that path when they reunite.

[rorywal]

2005s toxicity!?

doubt it

[Luppi]

he seems to have gained weight.
the reward of labour :OO

[100%guitarmad]

Shouldn't the title be in quotes?

And good news.

[The_Rev_08]

This is really good news!! I thought they broke up but its really good to hear that they are getting back together. They are amazing live and they are just a very good band.

[FiveStarMotel]

Awesome. Serj's album was incredible so naturally I thought it would be the same with Scars On Broadway. Then i heard Scars on broadway and it's really not that great, pretty poppy metal, mediocre stuff.

[Necrosaber]

^Scars wasn't suppose to be a metal album, it was stated it wasn't. Personally, I loved it.

That said, this article really doesn't surprise me. John and Shavo always say this.

[Bamitchell]

rorywal wrote:

2005s toxicity!?

doubt it

yeah really...are they saying Toxicity, Mesmerize, and Hypnotize came out all in the same year?

Someone needs to study...

[whatiaminstead]

WOOHOO!!!

i can't wait. i was excited for Serj when i heard "Empty Walls", but that wound up being the only song by him that really piqued my interest. and as for Scars...heh...i listened to one of their songs and decided not to delve into it too much more. then again i did the same thing with Five Finger Death Punch, so...

either way, i think SOAD are at their strongest when they're all together. they gel in a way they can't seem to do on their own.

[dial-a-death]

As you say, Scars On Broadway's album is meiocre. Serj's "solo" album (I say "solo" because of the stupid amount of guests, seriously its almost as bad as Chinese Democracy) was okay. But I felt that on Mesmerize and Hypnotize, Darren took over a bit too much. Serj is meant to be the singer, yet whose voice do you hear on half the tracks? The harmonies work well, but Darren just needs to step off a bit.

[alliwant]

This is the most promising news I've heard from SOAD-side in a long time. I wonder what Daron has to say about it because I reckon that'll be the deciding factor.

[Necrosaber]

^Not really, considering Serj has no plans on stopping his solo efforts (as he's stating in many interviews)

People are still blaming this whole thing on Daron I see.

[guitaringnathan]

i am so sick of soad reunion arcticles, we know they have been on a hiatus, we all know they have solo projects, and we all know they will get back together one day, but until then dont put soad with the words reunion, return, comeback, or new album until then.

by the way i do think soad is awesome

[AJWOLFTill]

I enjoyed scars on broadway's albulm, but the lyrics make me cringe occasionally, however at other times they were great, the songs themselves varied in every way, I reccomend listening to 'they say' and babylon' if u want an idea of the scope.
Elect the Dead was good but below the level of soad obviously. Did any1 here the rumour they were goin to reform for eurovision, that cracked me up!

[Dale_By_Blimp]

Every SOB song I've heard sounds half-baked, its as if Daron wrote the verses, the chorus and just looped them. Where on earth is the development?!

[Guitar_Jester]

Toxicity wasn't released in 2005...

[lab-oldno.7]

i think it was aband choice to go on haitus?
daron has good guitar skills but lyrics wise he aint the best,serj's voice and writing style suits soad so much more.
personally think hypnotise and mesmerize suck compared to S.T.A,toxicty or the best..the self titled. if their had condensed the two aolbums to one then it would of been immense, sadly not!
one day i hope they'll be back,hopefully older,wiser and make a album that sets the standard for metal

[randymeeks81]

thirdeye_15 wrote:

haha ...

"hmmm i really liked that, scars on broadway though, eewwwww"

I think Scars on Broadway is WAAAAY WAAAAAY better than Serj's solo projekt... i kouldnt listen to the whole thing , it was like... how do i put this... it reminded me of stuff that dint make the cut for the last 2 system cds... which in my opinion a little weak for SOAD... I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

if you listen to both albums (serj's solo effort, and scars on broadway) you can get a feel for the two different styles that go together to make system of a down. i enjoyed elect the dead, and scars on broadway, but like everyone else on here, i feel like both albums are missing crucial songwriting elements. Serj's album can be a bit too operatic at times, while daron's album feels like system of a down guitar lines without a great lyricist and singer.

[dgme92]

Can't wait 'til the day comes that System come back. Awesome band, love thier stuff.

[SteamMaster]

Hungry_Hameds wrote:

I like cheese.

we dont doubt that

anyways, i think that they were amazing in their first album [Selftitled] and then Toxicity was good, Steal This Album was fun and alright but kind of lost the whole point of the band, i stopped listening after that, never heard anything after their third album, and im quite happy that way

[LTDman90]

This will be good as long as they vear 100% away from the path that led them to write Hypnotize/ Mezmorize. HORRIBLE albums in my opinion. Toxicity and below.

[perilouspete]

when they get back together they need to do some more crazy shit like "Sugar" and more songs with sick intros like "Toxicity." their drums have always been a highlight in my opinion.

[Spoony_Bard]

SOAD is done, guys...sorry to say.

[BarkTooth]

I really want SOAD to reunite, but anyway, I'm also looking forward to Serj's second solo album. I think it's always great if Serj can do his thing, and doesn't have to look after others.

[Klayy]

thirdeye_15 wrote:

haha ...

"hmmm i really liked that, scars on broadway though, eewwwww"

I think Scars on Broadway is WAAAAY WAAAAAY better than Serj's solo projekt... i kouldnt listen to the whole thing , it was like... how do i put this... it reminded me of stuff that dint make the cut for the last 2 system cds... which in my opinion a little weak for SOAD... I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

I listened to SOB once after downloading it and swiftly shift+del'd it. One of the worst albums I've heard in my life. No catchy melodies, no riffs, no rhythms... just BOOORING

[Ingsoc]

Serj's solo project isn't terrible. the first album had afew decent songs to it, much of it very repetetive though. I'm not a fan of Scars on Broadway much at all. It reminds me of a past band I bailed out of no less than a month ago. The guitarist was completely centric on simplicity and minimalism. Daron seems to want to stick to the same old patterns and chords with this work and John Dolmayan does very little to impress, despite his amazing capabilities. It's very boring rock with bizarre, grating lyrics. Unlike many people, I like Daron and credit him with a majority of the writing for System of a Down, but I don't endorse Scars much at all.

[Serjem]

this made my day.

[death_rider]

thirdeye_15 wrote:

haha ...

"hmmm i really liked that, scars on broadway though, eewwwww"

I think Scars on Broadway is WAAAAY WAAAAAY better than Serj's solo projekt... i kouldnt listen to the whole thing , it was like... how do i put this... it reminded me of stuff that dint make the cut for the last 2 system cds... which in my opinion a little weak for SOAD... I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

I think that Darron had a huge part on writing the two most recent, the ones that became much more mainstream(imo) and not up to regular soad standards. Darron sang a big portion of those two cd's too. The ones before that , which were wayyyy better serj had a bigger part in. But thats just my guess.

[fireyqwerty]

SOAD was my first favorite band as a kid and i still love to listen to there stuff, i thought Serj's solo and SoB were amazing, and i wait patiently for what will no doubt be one of the most anticipaited reunions in the history of music

[ArcadianWarrior]

I think this whole thing is kinda in the hands of Serj and Daron. Serj and Daron are the ones who were the leads in the band, and they are the ones who say the most controversial stuff about a reunion. Daron say's stuff like, "we may never come back" and Serj makes remarks like "we are on a permanent Hiatus."
So honestly, Shavo and John's views aren't what I'm really excited to hear about.

[Necrosaber]

The only thing Daron had done different on the last two albums is contribute more lyrics and vocals. Daron has always been the main writer of the music. The only reason it sounds different is because he wanted to his style up. When his style changed, so the band styled changed. That's why Scars sounds similar to Mez/Hyp.

[insurgentsteve]

Spoony_Bard wrote:

SOAD is done, guys...sorry to say.

way to douche-ify the comments on this bro.

[miniPhil]

thirdeye_15 wrote:

I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

I couldnt disagree more. I thought SoB was boring where as EtD was great because it mixed a lot of diffrent styles and was very origional. It was one of my favorite albums for months.

[sottpwn]

The day SOAD reform will be the happiest day of my life. I missed so many opportunities to see them, and having only seen them at the Ozzfest I would KILL to see them again.

TOOL & SOAD should do a join headline tour for real.

[tancanada]

To put it plainly, these guys need each other in order to write good music. Darron writing songs on his own= shit. Serj writing songs on his own=shit. Pretty simple solution to that problem too.

[strat0blaster]

This isn't news - they've been expressing this same sentiment since a month after they split up.

I'd love to see them re-form, but not to make more music like Hypnotize/Mesmerize. That double was awful. BYOB and Question! were the only good songs off both cds.

[tomsawyer67]

whats up with the double album then hiatus. it seems like a recent pattern.

[ferretface]

sottpwn wrote:
TOOL & SOAD should do a join headline tour for real.

And RATM

[i_am_metalhead]

"IF SOAD returns" would be a more appropriate title for this article as it has been stated in various interviews with Serj and Daron that there are no intentions on stopping their solo efforts and if the band does reunite it will be in the very distant future.

[f0x_guitarist]

Shavo: "cut that"
interviewer: "ummm ok?" *picks his nose*

great job

[metalifan]

Newagehippy,inc wrote:

good stuff, soad are amazing live, really talented guys. would rather see soad reunite than see the solo bands, serj tankian on his own not so good, a bit too political for my liking

Dude, Scars on Broadway are just as much political than Serj. Some of Serj's songs are quite humorous and all of Scar's stuff is polictical
Both bands however are kick ass

[PhoenixLivesInP]

Looking forward to a day, when my heart will be stapled again..

[CoreysMonster]

in my opinion, Shavo's just saying this because he desperately wants the band to get back together because he's having ZERO success on his own.
Daron, Serj and John are all doing there thing, but you never hear anything about Shavo.

seriously, **** daron. SOAD were good up until Steal this Album, but Mesmerize and Hypnotize were atrocious.

[Crutchy]

Toxicity came out in 2001, not 2005...

[sinForge xJp]

I'm a fan of everything they've done on their own, so far =) I reeeeally can't wait for Serj's second album... But did anyone else catch that they called Toxicity a 2005 album?

[Shredder666]

Yeah Toxicity was '01 wasn't it? Anyway, I love SOAD. Personally, they were at their creative peak at Mezmerize and Hypnotize.

[HotDogs1]

he's sooo stoned in that video

[silent caution]

I cant wait

[Strato-Massacre]

toxicity came out in 01, right?

[therescue06]

thirdeye_15 wrote:

haha ...

"hmmm i really liked that, scars on broadway though, eewwwww"

I think Scars on Broadway is WAAAAY WAAAAAY better than Serj's solo projekt... i kouldnt listen to the whole thing , it was like... how do i put this... it reminded me of stuff that dint make the cut for the last 2 system cds... which in my opinion a little weak for SOAD... I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

scars on broadway were terrible, and im glad that thier done. id rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than any of thier songs.

[jetfuel495]

Oh thank god they're getting back together. The side projects were like pieces of a puzzle. Although I haven't heard anything from Shavo yet

[isaacjnowland]

rocker20 wrote:

Hungry_Hameds wrote:

I like cheese.

and i like milk

i like talking about the article at hand, not discussing our favourite consumables.

go join the cheescake club.

anyway,

Shavo Odadjian will be releasing a Hip Hop record with his latest band Achozen

geez that reeks of success. -_-

[isaacjnowland]

up SOAD though for gettin back into it, not a complete disser here

Checked.

[HyphyX]

They really are at their best when their all together.
I think all of their separate projects are good at best, but Scars on Broadway feel too straightforward at times, Serj and Shavo help offset that...And at times, Serj's solo music feels too quirky, like it lacks some kind of straightforward direction...

[AJWOLFTill]

Oh, I di

therescue06 wrote:

scars on broadway were terrible, and im glad that thier done. id rather listen to nails on a chalkboard than any of thier songs.

Wat do u mean, they are done? Hav they split already?
Anyway I remember reading an interview with serj ages ago saying he already had 100's of completed but unused songs for new albums, and on the radio he said he was goin to make some sort of dance/electro cd and do an opera b4 making another cd like elect the dead, although this was ages ago so he may well have changed his mind, anyone know wat im talkin about?

[One Inch Man]

oh man...Toxicity came out in 2001!
After reading the article i am as clever as before. I knew that they were on hiatus and did not broke up. And that's all the content of the article.

[serjiscoolz]

Resurrection!!!!

[The Spoon]

This is good news. Itll be so nice for their music taking a break from each other.

[archangels666]

thirdeye_15 wrote:I really noticed who was a big chunk of the music writing for System... *Darren* cough , cough haha... everyones intitled to there own opinion...

Uhh...no. Sure, he most likely lays down the basis for the song, but SoB doesn't have anything too creative going for them. All the creativity comes from Serj obviously.

And don't even get me started on Daron's lyrics. Ugh.

They just don't work on their own like this though. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

[Rokeman]

OK, everyone is really opinionated on this, so it's time to add mine.

I think Serj has a great voice, and it's great for him that he is doing a solo album where he plays everything, instead of just singing. He's allowed to branch out from just singing. And he's not expecting every SOAD fan to listen to his stuff and like it, but still, he does it because HE likes it.

Same for Daron. I like him for his catchy guitar melodies (though some may argue that in Scars they're not) and he's doing what he loves. Guitar! In Scars he has made it sound different to SOAD though, which is good, because it's NOT SOAD. That's the point.

John is still drumming, which he likes, and Shavo seems to be having a lot of fun with his band, which is what it's about. Fun!

To them it wasn't about multi-million selling albums. It was about the music, in whatever shape or form, and that's what they're still all doing.

They'll return to SOAD when it's time.
/rant

[TK1]

and one, 2005's "Toxicity"

um, toxicity was released in 2001.

[Original_Fire]

ferretface wrote:

sottpwn wrote:
TOOL & SOAD should do a join headline tour for real.

And RATM

and NIN

[StringsofBlack]

ferretface wrote:

sottpwn wrote:
TOOL & SOAD should do a join headline tour for real.

And RATM

System of a Down doesn't belong in the same league as Tool. They're swill compared to Tool.

[Tag43]

Alright! I can't for SOAD to get back!

[metal@hart1101]

****in eh they will rock like the good old times

[texasthrasher]

the only thing i didnt like about Elect the dead was the piano. That ****ing piano!

[deadeyedick]

i call bullshit, daron said he'd never do SOAD again.

[SOADriff]

wicked. shavo has always been optimistic about being in soad again.

[Melodic_Rocker]

Daron has his head far to up his own ass for SOAD to do anything and not call it Daron's semi solo album

checked.

[Somnambulance]

Shavo's doing hip-hop? Probably going to be the most interesting thing SOAD related since Toxicity.

[harrybps]

Think ill buy 2 copies of mastodons 'crack the skye, just to spite S.O.A.D....make that 3,i just heard divinations..awesome!

[gwitersnamps]

I like the "when" part of that.

[Levi79]

I am so pleased, at least i know they aren't broken up for good, i still cant wait for the next serj album, he is almost as amazing as with SOAD, its a change of pace.

[jason white]

i like soad but serjs solo stuff is boring i saw him at the big day out the other day and i nearly fell asleep he was that dull

[squallerrleon]

1) when you guys say that the last 2 SOAD albums were "atrocious" and "not good", you secretly mean "very good" and "#1 because of the large amounts of good"
2) I guess I'm the only one who's never heard Shavo say more than 5 words before? Or even knew what he sounded like?
3)"ZOMG they went in a different direction and their CDs (EtD and SoB) weren't godly, I'ma go poop my pants and not change then for 2 1/2 years!" - everybody.
Go buy SOADs first CD, make it platinum.
4)I wish I liked hippity-hop, 'cause Deuces made me frown

[pyritmann]

Shavo is always saying this, but im not too sure its going to happen.I think Serj and Darron are the two that had issues. Like they say they're still friends and stuff but i think they had dissagreements and thats why the break happened. i really hope they back together, i dont like any of the side projects.

[BringerOfMetal]

Way to give us false hope.
I thought this would be an article about the reforming of SOAD.
Damn...

[Somnambulance]

squallerrleon wrote:

1) when you guys say that the last 2 SOAD albums were "atrocious" and "not good", you secretly mean "very good" and "#1 because of the large amounts of good"
2) I guess I'm the only one who's never heard Shavo say more than 5 words before? Or even knew what he sounded like?
3)"ZOMG they went in a different direction and their CDs (EtD and SoB) weren't godly, I'ma go poop my pants and not change then for 2 1/2 years!" - everybody.
Go buy SOADs first CD, make it platinum.
4)I wish I liked hippity-hop, 'cause Deuces made me frown

I don't know, I couldn't even listen to either Mesmerize or Hypnotize from beginning to end. Toxicity at least had energy. You know, maybe it's a good thing SOAD isn't together anymore. Would we really want them back together if the new SOAD album sounded like Serj singing on SoB songs with hip-hop beats?

Actually... SOAD with beats might be pretty interesting....

[DavidBenyamin]

Scars on Broadway is the best Album of the year (to me). Hail Daron.

[abel1389]

they have no idea. daron's grudging against SOAD because of the spotlight he's in with Scars. serj is off on his psychopolitical rantings, shavo's trying to remain as hopeful as possible, and john's not saying a damn word. if these four guys can't agree on their reunion, there won't be one.

[xSUNxOFxNOTHING]

sottpwn wrote:
TOOL & SOAD should do a join headline tour for real.

:O
i would genuinely shit my self on spot if that happened. not just a little either. like at least a 2 lb. crap.

[harrison1928374]

the day SOAD comes together again, i will have a HUGE FUCKIN PARTY

[Josh Shiells]

Fuck, this is really old...

SOADFans had it posted days ago.

[chunc17]

I Cant waut for system to get back together, Scars on Broadway are epic, and Serj's solo works great, but together, they just kick so much ass!!

[Superperfex]

This solo stuff....it is pretty much them venting out all the material that they couldn't release as SOaD. So yeah, when they pick things up, it will be back to normal again. but better. They have matured after only one solo release. =]

[alyxmelia]

rorywal wrote:

2005s toxicity!?

doubt it

idiots +1

[Toady]

...Such a pointless article... UG is really going downhill.

I love SoaD, can't wait for them to get back together, but this article is a waste of space. It tells you nothing that hasn't already been covered... and even has misinformation. Toxicity was 2001, not 2005. Come on UG, get it together.

[racman92]

Newagehippy,inc wrote:

good stuff, soad are amazing live, really talented guys. would rather see soad reunite than see the solo bands, serj tankian on his own not so good, a bit too political for my liking

Hes a great vocalist, but agreed, too political... and I cant stand scars on broadway, I really only like his voice when its bouncing between him and serj.

[CrazyPigeon]

I really like the Scars On Broadway album, I'd even go as far to say it was better than SOAD. Serj's effort was also really good, I like his actual singing more than his screaming.

[sykguitaryst]

this hiatus thing is ****ing stupid, theyre breaking up so why not just call it like it is? every album they put out was/is amazing.. to just abruptly end that for fans is ****ed up. now theyre putting out shitty albums like "elect the dead" and "scars", sounding like every other shitty metal band that makes that type of shit. unless i see a new album cover or somethin, **** system of a down.

[fallofthesystem]

OMG!!!!!.....this is great. these guys r amazing.
I think SOB and Serj's solo project isnt as good as SOAD.
Although I like SOB more than Serj Tankian.

[smalRaptor]

I hope they get back together and do whatever the hell they want.

[roundwoundsound]

thats the best news ive heard in forever...

[AppleSystem]

FUCKKKKK

i love system of a down, they affect people who normally wouldn't listen to metal. they have the heaviest riffs, heavier than slayer + metallica, and everybody loves them. i know a guy who loves jazz, classic rock, and system of a down

FUCK YEAHHHHH!!!!!

[Snuffalu]

Hell yea

this rocks I love SOAD, does anyone know when a new album is going to be written

[SOADbeast]

hahaha toxicity in 05?

[Shuvoyoshi]

SOAD!!!

I love them XD

Im sure they'll be atleast 10 times better when they are off hiatus

So lets just listen to their all time hits till they're back!

Yeahhhh baby XD

[j-walk]

StringsofBlack wrote:

ferretface wrote:

sottpwn wrote:
TOOL & SOAD should do a join headline tour for real.

And RATM

System of a Down doesn't belong in the same league as Tool. They're swill compared to Tool.

No tool album can touch toxicity, dont give a fuk what ya say and sob was areally good album.