SERJ TANKIAN Reflects On Being “Emotionally Checked Out” During SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s Final Albums

In a candid interview for Metal Hammer, Serj Tankian, the voice behind System Of A Down, shared an introspective look into his mindset throughout the creation of the band’s remaining studio albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Launched in 2005, these information marked the tip of an period for the nu-metal icons, and as Tankian now admits, it was a time of emotional disengagement for him.

“I had a really distinctive relationship with the previous few System information as a result of I had, to a sure diploma, emotionally checked out of the band whereas making them,” Tankian revealed. His openness sheds mild on the inventive tensions that brewed throughout the group.

Reflecting additional, he famous, “Due to the push and pull, I grew to become very passive. There was music I wished to usher in that I felt like I could not… I used to be in a bizarre place. I contributed creatively, however I did not… I do not know. I wanted oxygen – I felt like there was an excessive amount of occurring.”

Regardless of the struggles, Tankian acknowledges the optimistic facets of recording these albums, significantly the involvement of famed producer Rick Rubin. Tankian fondly recollects the periods at Rubin‘s studio in Laurel Canyon, reverse the legendary Houdini home, as moments of inventive magnificence amidst private {and professional} challenges.

“I nonetheless assume these songs are nice. However once I assume again on it, I additionally keep in mind that it was a bizarre section of my life, and that is one thing I’ve to concentrate on as nicely. We actually loved recording the albums at Rick Rubin‘s place in Laurel Canyon, proper throughout from the Houdini home.”

Tankian‘s phrases echo the emotions expressed in his 2018 manifesto for his bandmates, the place he wrote: “Once we first began our inventive enter and monetary income splits have been near equal throughout the band. By the point Mezmerize and Hypnotize got here round, we have been on the diametrically reverse finish on each with Daron controlling each the inventive course of and making the lion’s share of publishing to not point out eager to be the one one to do press.”

“I wished to go away the band earlier than Mezmerize/Hypnotize for these creating causes. That is why I personally do not feel as near the music on these information. There have been songs I wished to usher in however was hampered by unkept guarantees coupled with my very own passivity on the time.”

System Of A Down has been on a inventive hiatus after the discharge of Mezmerize and Hypnotize, reuniting in 2011 with out producing any new albums since. Their most up-to-date studio output is the 2020 double single Defend The Land/Genocidal Humanoidz.

Hypothesis about new music continues, and Tankian addressed the subject in an interview with The Solar final month. He recommended that any future file would require a totally contemporary strategy. “I might say if System ever determined to make a file, it could be a contemporary begin in a model new method, in a wonderful new path,” he stated.

Including intrigue for followers, Tankian disclosed the existence of unreleased materials within the band’s archives. “We do have some unreleased materials from the previous that is set. I forgot what number of songs there are, but it surely’s a handful of them that will be attention-grabbing additionally in an archival capability as a result of I believe a few of them are some actually wonderful gems,” he shared.