They broke a 15-year-old musical silence. And it took a tragic event, the war this fall in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region claimed by Armenia and Azerbaijan, for the members of System Of A Down to record together again.
Proud of their Armenian origins, the artists, metal stars who have already filled the Accor Arena on several occasions and are expected at the next Hellfest, have just released two new songs, “Protect the land” and “Genocidal humanoidz”, and call to donations. Daron Malakian, guitarist, singer, producer and the originator of this initiative, spoke to us about it from his home in Los Angeles.
The war raged in Nagorno-Karabakh from the end of September, and you published your two unreleased songs at the beginning of November, you were very quick to react …
DARON MALAKIAN. I wrote these titles several years ago. “Protect the land” was even already recorded, and I was about to include it in the album of my other group, Scars On Broadway. When the conflict erupted, we got together and decided that we had to do something. And I told the others that maybe I had the perfect song for what we had in mind. I suggested that they remove “Protect the land” from my album with Scars On Broadway, and make it a System Of A Down track. I remade my guitar parts, changed some arrangements, Shavo (Odadjian, bassist) and John (Dolmayan, drummer) recorded their instruments. I sent a version to Serj (Tankian, singer), who at the time was in New Zealand. He gave me some suggestions, we emailed a bit, and a few days later, when he got back to Los Angeles, he completed his vocals.
Did you have to change the lyrics of the song?
No, they are the same. Even though they were written before the conflict, a year and a half or two years ago, I already had in mind this concept of soldiers who protect the homeland, often young people who put their lives on the line. basic is that, if your country, the place where you live, were in danger, would you mobilize, would you protect your country? And for “Genocidal humanoidz”, I only changed one or maybe two words. The expression “humanoidz” comes from a tour manager who referred to those he considered to be idiots. I liked that expression.
Shavo Odadjian, your bass player, directed the video for “Protect the land” …
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Yes, he is the source of many of our past clips, and he is about to do it again with “Genocidal humanoidz”. Every member of System Of A Down steps in to bring their touch to what we do. Me, it’s in terms of the composition, Shavo takes care of the clips, John is an incredible drummer, Serj a crazy singer and an extraordinary personality.
We know that there have been tensions within the group for years. How did you manage to rally everyone for these two songs?
We have different opinions, but no one hates anyone. There are groups whose members can’t even get together in the same room! This is not the case with System Of A Down. We have our differences for things concerning the group but, outside, we like each other. I believe that fighting for the cause of Armenia forces us to put our differences aside. Everything happened very simply, without friction. I am very proud that everyone has mobilized, invested, for the group but also for Armenia and its inhabitants.
What was the impact of these two new songs?
I believe we managed to raise something like $ 600,000. Again, the song “Protect the land” was not designed for humanitarian purposes, it just had to be on an album. But I am glad that we have managed to draw attention to the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, and what is happening in our country. We are the only Armenian group that can send such a message. That 9 million people saw our clip on YouTube, that we managed to raise so much money, that’s what we wanted to do!
Do you know where this money will go, will you monitor its use?
The money goes to a fund called the Armenia Fund. Its use will be wide, in favor of refugees, people in distress, who have lost their homes and lands, and those wounded during the war. You know, it’s not just us who have contributed to this fund. A lot of people have put their hands in their pockets across the world.
The conflict is now over. What is your feeling ? What are you waiting for?
Of course, I am sad. Armenians had lived there for 600-700 years BC. Having to give up these lands because Russia and Turkey are forcing us to do so makes me angry. But what can we do about it? Unfortunately, Armenia does not have oil or other resources, which would motivate a superpower to come and help us.
System Of A Down reformed for these two songs. And after ?
I can’t tell you anything. The group did not talk about it. We really focused on those two songs, on the call for donations. I don’t see us doing more in the future. Everyone will return to their occupations, and that’s fine with me. We came together for a noble cause. If this happens again, it will have to be a real reason.
The group was slated to be one of the headliners at Hellfest this year, and has been rescheduled for next year. You confirm ?
I don’t know if the festival will take place. But if it does, I’m pretty sure we’ll be there.
And will you play your two new songs?
Yes I think. Our concerts need something new and when I list songs to play on our next tour, these two songs will be part of it. I want to present them to the public, and I believe the group will be of the same opinion.
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