System Of A Down To Continue Without Frontman Serj Tankian?
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
System of a Down fans, we know you’ve been waiting for a brand new album, and with the band recently touring alongside Deftones and being confirmed as one of the main acts at this year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals, we hoped that such a record would materialise.
But, at the moment, there seems to be unrest in the SOAD camp, after bassist Shavo Odadjian claimed that frontman Serj Tankian was the only thing ‘holding us back’ - and it could lead to the band recording a new album without him.
The platinum-selling, award-winning band are one of the world’s most popular alternative metal bands, but they haven’t released an album since 2005’s ‘Mezmerize’ and ‘Hypnotize’ - Tankian has since embarked on a solo career, guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan have worked with on Scars on Broadway (though Dolmayan has now left), and Shavo has worked on a couple of projects.
But, after getting back together for a reunion tour in 2011, which saw them playing Download Festival among others, as well as a range of venues across the globe, fans hoped and prayed that new material would come with it - but as of 2013, we’re still without any new SOAD music.
Now, Shavo has revealed via his official Facebook page that he, Malakian, and Dolmayan are all eager to record - but Tankian isn’t game. He wrote (warning - lengthy statement incoming!):
“It’s Serj who doesn’t want to do a new album!!!! So please stop harassing us about it!!! We are just waiting for Serj! Now he might hate me for exposing the truth, but I had to.. Sorry, folks!!! We’re trying to get a new album out, it’s just not passing Serj’s rules! Kinda funny, since we started the band and now he’s holding us back!! I think we should should release another album again??? As for me.. I’m ready to release one with someone who wants to be the singer of System, not someone we have to beg to be a part of System!!
“So with that in mind, what do you guys [think] we should do? Just remember, he’s been holding us back for seven years so far. Wanna wait another 4-5 years? Or shall we release a record without Serj? You tell us. I don’t want to make a record without him… but if he’s not down? Should the three of us just sit and wait?? Not cool!!!!!!!! I want the fans from all over the world, including Brazil, to tell us what they think. No System? Or System with with a new singer who’s just as good, if not better? PLUS new System songs and tours????
“Please give me your opinion, people!!! Is System better with no singer or someone who is excited to be our new singer?? You decide.,. ’cause I’m confused!!! No diss to Serj. If he wants to be in the band, then he’s welcome, but if he’s not? What do you expect us three to do? We really want another System record! Wish Serj was down, but if he’s not, then I’m going ahead and making a System record without him!!! I’m furious that he let us down like this, but we gotta do something to keep this great band alive!!! Agreed?”
The posts have since been removed, and a new statement coming from the band’s official Facebook page has been posted addressing Shavo’s comments - they responded:
“Earlier today, Shavo posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of System Of A Down as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone. To be clear, the full band lineup of Serj, Daron, Shavo and John will be performing all scheduled tour dates. With respect to new SOAD music, although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans.”
So, as you can see, there’s a lot of drama unfolding in the SOAD camp - but, despite it, it seems as though there may actually be some plans for an album in the near future. What do you make of all of it? Leave us a comment in the box below. Personally, we’d love to see a new SOAD record - so hurry up and sort it out, boys!
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