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System of a Down

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This article is about the band. For their eponymous album, seeSystem of a Down (album).System of a Down

System of a Down inWantagh, New Yorkon August5, 2012.

Background information

Also

known as

SOADSystem

Origin Glendale, California,USA

GenresAlternative metal,progressive rock,hard rock,experimental

Years

active19942006, 2011present

Labels Sony Music,American,Columbia

Associated

acts

Achozen,Axis of Justice,GeorgeClinton and His Gangsters of Love,Scars on Broadway,Serj TankianandThe F.C.C.,The Apex Theory

Website www.systemofadown.com

Members

Daron Malakian

Serj TankianShavo OdadjianJohn Dolmayan

Past

membersOntronik "Andy" Khachaturian
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System of a Down, also known by theacronymSOAD and often shortened to System, is anArmenian Americanrockband fromSouthern California, formed in 1994. It currently consists ofDaron Malakian(vocals, guitar),Serj Tankian(lead vocals, occasional keyboards and rhythmguitar),Shavo Odadjian(bass, background vocals) andJohn Dolmayan(drums).

The band achieved commercial success with the release of five studio albums, of which threedebuted at number one on theBillboard200. System of a Down has been nominated for fourGrammy Awards, and their song "B.Y.O.B." won theBest Hard Rock Performanceof 2006. Thegroup went on hiatus in August 2006 and reunited in November 2010, embarking on a tour forthe following three years.

Contents

1 Historyo 1.1 Soil (19921994)o 1.2 Demo tapes and signing (19941997)o 1.3 System of a Down (19982000)o 1.4 Toxicity and Steal This Album! (20012003)o 1.5Mezmerize andHypnotize (20042006)o 1.6 Hiatus (20062010)o 1.7 Reunion and tour (2011present)

2 Politics 3 Style

o 3.1 Lyricismo 3.2 Musico 3.3 Influences and comparison to other artists

4 Awards and nominations 5 Members 6 Discography 7 References 8 External links

History

Soil (19921994)

Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian attendedRose and Alex Pilibos Armenian Schoolas children,

although due to their eight-year age difference they did not meet until 1992 while working onseparate projects at the same recording studio.[1]They formed a band named Soilwith Tankianon vocals and keyboards, Malakian on vocals and guitar, Dave Hakopyan (who later played inThe Apex Theory/Mt. Helium) on bass and Domingo "Dingo" Laranio on drums. The band hiredShavo Odadjian (another Rose and Alex Pilibos alumnus) as manager, although he eventuallyjoined Soil as rhythm guitarist. In 1994, after only one live show, and one jam session recording,Hakopyan and Laranio left the band, feeling that it was not going anywhere.
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eunion_and_tour_.282011.E2.80.93present.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Stylehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Stylehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Lyricismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Lyricismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Influences_and_comparison_to_other_artistshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Influences_and_comparison_to_other_artistshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Awards_and_nominationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Awards_and_nominationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Membershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Membershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Discographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Discographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_and_Alex_Pilibos_Armenian_Schoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_and_Alex_Pilibos_Armenian_Schoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_and_Alex_Pilibos_Armenian_Schoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apex_Theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Heliumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Heliumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Heliumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._Heliumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Apex_Theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_and_Alex_Pilibos_Armenian_Schoolhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#External_linkshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Referenceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Discographyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Membershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Awards_and_nominationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Influences_and_comparison_to_other_artistshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Lyricismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Stylehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Reunion_and_tour_.282011.E2.80.93present.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Hiatus_.282006.E2.80.932010.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Mezmerize_and_Hypnotize_.282004.E2.80.932006.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Toxicity_and_Steal_This_Album.21_.282001.E2.80.932003.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#System_of_a_Down_.281998.E2.80.932000.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Demo_tapes_and_signing_.281994.E2.80.931997.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Soil_.281992.E2.80.931994.29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_of_a_Down#Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Hard_Rock_Performancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.Y.O.B._%28song%29http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Awardshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dolmayanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavo_Odadjianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serj_Tankianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daron_Malakianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Californiahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_musichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Americanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronym_and_initialism


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Demo tapes and signing (19941997)

After Soil split up, Tankian, Odadjian, and Malakian formed a new band, System of a Down.The group took its name from a poem that Malakian had written titled Victims of a Down."[2]The word "victims" was changed to "system" because Odadjian believed that the alteration

would appeal to a much wider audience and also because the group wanted their records to bealphabetically shelved closer to their musical heroes,Slayer. Odadjian switched from guitar tobass and passed on his managerial duties toVelvet Hammer Music and Management Groupandits founder David Beno Benveniste.

[3]The band recruited drummerOntronik "Andy"Khachaturian, an old school friend of Malakian's and Odadjian's who had played with Malakianin a band called Snowblind during their teens.[2]

System of a Down quickly made what is known as Untitled 1995 Demo Tape, which was notcommercially released but appeared on file sharing networks around the time of the band'ssuccess withToxicityabout six years later.Demo Tape 2 was released in 1996. At the beginningof 1997, System of a Down recorded their final publicly released demo tape,Demo Tape 3. In

mid-1997, drummer Khachaturian left the band because of a hand injury (he subsequently co-founded The Apex Theory, which included former Soil bassist Dave Hakopyan).[2]Khachaturianwas replaced by John Dolmayan.

The band's first official release of a professionally recorded song was on a collection calledHyeEnk("we're Armenian" in English), anArmenian Genociderecognition compilation, in 1997.Soon after playing at notable Hollywood clubs such as theWhisky-A-Go-GoandViper Roomthe band caught famed producerRick Rubin's attention who asked them to keep in touch withhim. Showing great interest, the group recordedDemo Tape 4 near the end of 1997. Unlike theprevious demo tapes, however,Demo Tape 4 was made only to be sent torecord companies(although it has since been leaked onto the internet). Rubin signed the group onto his

American/Columbia Records, and System of a Down began to record in Rubin's studio, layingdown tracks that would eventually be released on their debut album.

Also in 1997, the group won the Best Signed Band Award from the Rock City Awards.[4]

System of a Down(19982000)

In June 1998, System of a Down released their debut album,System of a Down. They enjoyedmoderate success as their first singles "Sugar" and "Spiders" became radio favorites and themusic videos for both songs were frequently aired on MTV. After the release of the album, theband toured extensively, opening for Slayer andMetallicabefore making their way to the second

stage ofOzzfest. Following Ozzfest, they toured withFear FactoryandIncubusbeforeheadlining theSno-Core TourwithPuya,Mr. Bungle, The Cat and Incubus providing support.

In November 1998, System of a Down appeared onSouth Park'sChef Aidalbum, providing themusic for the song "Will They Die 4 You?" Near the end of the song Tankian can be heardsaying, "Why must we kill our own kind?" a line that would later be used in the song "Boom!"Although System of a Down is credited on the album, South Park characterChefdoesn'tintroduce them as he does for all other artist featured on the record.
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System of a Down's former drummer, Ontronik Khachaturian, briefly reunited with the band at ashow atThe Troubadourin 1999, filling in on vocals for an ill Tankian.[2]In 2000, the bandcontributed their cover of theBlack Sabbathsong "Snowblind" to the Black Sabbath tributealbumNativity in Black 2.

Toxicityand Steal This Album!(20012003)

GuitaristDaron Malakianmet Serj Tankian for the first time in 1993 before forming the band ayear later.

On September 3, 2001, System of a Down had planned on launching their second album at a freeconcert in Hollywood as a "thank you" to fans. The concert, which was to be held in a parking

lot, was set up to accommodate 3,500 people, however, an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 fansshowed up. Because of the large excess number of fans the performance was cancelled by policeofficers just before the group took the stage. No announcement was made that the concert hadbeen cancelled. Fans waited for more than an hour for the group to appear, but when a bannerhanging at the back of the stage that read "System of a Down" was removed by security, theaudience rushed the stage, destroying all the band's touring gear (approximately $30,000 worthof equipment) and began to riot, throwing rocks at police, breaking windows, and knocking overportable toilets. The riot lasted six hours, during which six arrests were made. The band'smanager, David "Beno" Benveniste, later said that the riot could have been avoided if the grouphad been permitted to perform or had they been allowed to make a statement at the concertregarding the cancellation. System of a Down's scheduled in-store performance the next day was

cancelled to prevent a similar riot.[5]

The group's big break arrived when their second albumToxicitydebuted at No.1 on theAmerican and Canadian charts, despite the events of September 11. The album has eventuallyachieved 3xmulti-platinumcertification in theUS[6]and has since sold over 12 million copiesworldwide. It was still on top in America during the week of theSeptember 11, 2001 attacksandthe political environment caused by the attacks added to the controversy surrounding the album'shit single "Chop Suey!" The song was taken off the radio as it contained politically sensitive
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lyrics at the time such as "(I don't think you) trust in my self-righteous suicide." Regardless, thevideo gained constant play on MTV as did the album's second single, "Toxicity". Even with thecontroversy surrounding "Chop Suey!" (which earned a Grammy nomination), System of aDown still received constant airplay in the United States throughout late 2001 and 2002 with"Toxicity" and "Aerials". In May 2006,VH1listed Toxicity in the No.14 slot in the 40 Greatest

Metal Songs.

In 2001, the band went on tour withSlipknotthroughout the United States and Mexico.Following a performance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Odadjian was harassed, ethnicallyintimidated, and was physically assaulted by security guards backstage, who then dragged himout of the venue. Odadjian received medical attention from police and later filed a suit againstthe security company.[7]Despite the incident, the tour was a success and System of a Down andSlipknot went on the Pledge of Allegiance Tour withRammsteinin 2001.

In late 2001, unreleased tracks from the Toxicity sessions made their way onto the internet.[8]This collection of tracks was dubbed Toxicity IIby fans. The group released a statement that the

tracks were unfinished material and subsequently released the final versions of the songs as theirthird album,Steal This Album!, which was released in November 2002. Steal This Album!resembled a burnable CD that was marked with a felt-tip marker. 50,000 special copies of thealbum with different CD designs were also released, each designed by a different member of theband. The name of the album is a reference toAbbie Hoffman's counter-culture book,Steal ThisBookas well as a message to those who leaked the songs onto the internet. The song"Innervision" was released as a promo single and received constant airplay on alternative radio.A video for "Boom!" was filmed with directorMichael Mooreas a protest against theWar inIraq.

Mezmeri zeand Hypnotize(20042006)

Serj Tankianhas gained reputation for his large vocal range along with his unusual tactics.

Between 2004 to 2005, the group recorded the follow-up to Steal This Album!, a double album,which they released as separate installments six months apart from each other, notably including
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album cover artwork by Malakian's father, Vartan Malakian, which was designed to connect thetwo separate album covers. The first album,Mezmerize, was released on May 17, 2005 tofavorable reviews by critics. It debuted at No.1 in the United States, Canada, Australia and allaround the world, making it System of A Down's second No.1 album. First week sales rocketedto over 800,000 copies worldwide. The Grammy Award-winning single "B.Y.O.B.", which

questions the integrity of military recruiting in America, worked its way up the BillboardModern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts. The next single, "Question!" was released withShavo Odadjian co-directing the music video. Following the release ofMezmerize, the bandtoured extensively throughout the United States and Canada withThe Mars VoltaandBad AcidTripsupporting.

The second part of the double album,Hypnotize, was released on November 22, 2005. LikeMezmerize, it debuted at No.1 in the US, making System of a Down, along withThe Beatles,Guns N' Roses, and rappers2PacandDMX, the only artists to ever have two studio albumsdebut at No.1 in the same year.[9]In February 2006, System of a Down won the Grammy forBest Hard Rock Performance for"B.Y.O.B.", beating out other established artists such asNine

Inch NailsandRobert Plant. Their second single off the Hypnotize album, "Lonely Day" wasreleased in March in the United States. System of a Down released "Kill Rock 'N Roll" and"Vicinity of Obscenity" as their nextpromosingles. The band headlinedOzzfest2006 in citieswhere tour founderOzzy Osbourneopted not to appear or was not playing on the main stage.

Whereas on System of a Down's previous albums most of the lyrics were written and sung byTankian and the music was co-written by Tankian and Malakian (and sometimes Odadjian)much of the music and lyrics onMezmerize/Hypnotize were written by Malakian who also tookon a much more dominant role as vocalist on both albums, often leaving Tankian providingkeyboards and backing vocals.

System of a Down's song "Lonely Day" was nominated for Best Hard Rock Performance in the49th Grammy Awardsin 2007, but lost to "Woman" byWolfmother.

In May 2006, the band announced they were going on hiatus. Malakian confirmed the breakwould probably last a few years, which Odadjian specified as a minimum of three years in aninterview with Guitarmagazine. He told MTV, "We're not breaking up. If that was the case, wewouldn't be doing this Ozzfest. We're going to take a very long break after Ozzfest and do ourown things. We've done System for over ten years, and I think it's healthy to take some rest."[10]System of a Down's final performance before their hiatus took place on August 13, 2006 inWestPalm Beach, Florida. "Tonight will be the last show we play for a long time together," Malakiantold the crowd during Sunday's last performance. "We'll be back. We just don't know when."[11]

May 2006 also saw the UK publication of a biography of the band entitledSystem Of A Down:Right Here In Hollywoodby writerBen Myers. It was published in the US in 2007 throughTheDisinformation Company.

Hiatus (20062010)
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7/9

Malakian announced he was forming a band calledScars on Broadway, which was joined byDolmayan.

Tankian released his debut solo albumElect the Deadin the autumn of 2007 to great critical andcommercial acclaim. Malakian and Dolmayan released Scars On Broadway'sdebut self-titled

albumon July 29, 2008. Dolmayan, alongside working with Scars on Broadway, formed his ownband,Indicator, as well as opened Torpedo Comics, an online comic book store.[12]Odadjianpursued his project withRZAofWu-Tang Clan, a hip-hop group namedAcHoZeN, worked onhis urSESSION website/record label, and performed as a member of funk legendGeorgeClinton's backing band.

Reunion and tour (2011present)

On November 29, 2010, following several weeks of internet rumors, System of a Down officiallyannounced that they would be reuniting for a string of large European festival dates in June2011.[13]Among the announced tour dates included UK'sDownload Festival, Switzerland's

Greenfield Festival, Germany'sRock am Ring/Rock im Park, Sweden'sMetaltown, Austria'sNova Rock Festivaland Finland'sProvinssirock.The reunion tourcommenced on May 10, 2011inEdmonton, Alberta.[14]System's first tour through Mexico and South America began onSeptember 28, 2011 inMexico City, ending inSantiago,Chileon October 7, 2011.[15]From lateFebruary to early March 2012, they headlined five dates atSoundwavefestival.[16]This was theband's first visit toAustraliasince 2005. The band have continued playing around the world. OnAugust 11 and 12, 2012, they played theHeavy MTLandHeavy T.O.music festivals inMontreal and Toronto, respectively.[17]On February 4, 2013, it was announced that System of aDown would play the UK'sReading and Leeds Festivalsin August 2013, among other festivalsand venues.[18]

In mid March 2013, via their Facebook Page, System hinted at an announcement of a show byposting pictures of famous Los Angeles Landmarks and asking fans to figure out "where allroads lead". Several days later, it was announced that System of a Down would play their onlyUS Date in 2013 at the Hollywood Bowl on July 29, 2013. Tickets sold out hours after going onsale on March 22.

Asked in August 2012 whether System of a Down will record a new album, frontmanSerjTankiansaid that the members of System of a Down have not "really discussed another record asof now with any of the guys", although he later added, "when it's the right time, it'll materialize,like everything else in the universe".[19]Also in August, Dolmayan said that he would like to do anew System of a Down album in 2013.[20]

On May 20, 2013 bassist Shavo Odadjian criticized fellow band member Serj Tankian onFacebook, stating that differences of opinion between the lead vocalist and the rest of the bandwere the primary reasons why the band has not yet recorded or released a sixth studio album.Odadjian stated, "Its not us (Daron, John or Shavo) Its Serj, who doesn't want to do a newalbum!!!! so please stop harassing us about it!!! We are just waiting for SERJ! Now He mighthate me for exposing the truth but i Had too.. Sorry folks!!! we're trying to get a new album out,
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8/9

its just not passing Serjs RULES! . Kinda funny, since we started the band and now hes holding

us back!!" [sic][21]

While he has since removed the posts from his page, System of a Down's official Facebook pagelater responded to Shavo's posts with the following statement: "Earlier today, Shavo posted a few

statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of System Of ADown as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during atemporary 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 SOADmusic, although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that havingthe four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans."[22]

While commenting on the future of System of a Down, singer Serj Tankian stated that he "can'twrite a forced record", an action he described as "romancing someone at a time you don't want tobe romantic." He added that "a new record requires three years" and it is not "something [he] cando right now."[23]

Politics

Concert footage and interviews with the band concerning the importance of helping createawareness and recognition of theArmenian Genocidewere featured in the 2006 filmScreamers,directed byCarla Garapedian. An interview with Tankian's grandfather, a survivor of theGenocide, was also included in the film as well as Tankian's and Dolmayan's meeting with (then)Speaker of the HouseDennis Hastertduring which the two musicians campaigned for the UnitedStates government's official recognition of the Genocide. Footage of Tankian and Dolmayanmarching with protesters outside of the Turkish embassy in Washington D.C. was also used inScreamers.

Style

Lyricism

System of a Down's lyrics are often oblique[24]ordadaist,[24]and have discussed topics such asdrug abuse,[24]politics[24][25]andsexual intercourse.[24][25]

All four members are ofArmenian descent, and are widely known for their outspoken viewsexpressed in many of their songs confronting theArmenian Genocideof 1915 as well as the

ongoingWar on Terrorism.

Music

Stephen Thomas Erlewine ofAllmusicstated "Like many late-'90smetalbands, System of aDown struck a balance between '80s undergroundthrash metalandmetallic early-'90s alternativerockerslikeJane's Addiction".[26]
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9/9

The stylistic variety and level ofexperimentation[27]in System of a Down's music has made itdifficult to describe, but the group has, for the most part, maintained a single style throughouttheir body of work. This style has variously been termedalternative metal,[26]alternative rock,[28]art rock,[29][30]experimental metal,[31]experimental rock,[32][33]hard rock,[26][34]heavy metal,[26]new prog,[35]nu metal,[36][37]progressive metal,[38][39]progressive rock[40][41]andthrash metal.[42]

Malakian has stated that "We don't belong to any one scene"[43]and that "I don't like the nu-metaldrop-A7-string guitarsound; it is not my thing, at least not yet."[44]In interview with MikeLancaster, he also said, "People always seem to feel the need to put us into a category, but wejust don't fit into any category."[45]According to Tankian, "As far as arrangement and everything,[our music] is pretty muchpop. To me, System of a Down isn't a progressive band. [...] But it'snot a typical pop project, obviously. We definitely pay attention to the music to make sure thatit's not something someone's heard before."[46]

The band has used a wide range of instruments, such aselectric mandolins,baritone electricguitars,acoustic guitars,ouds,sitarsandtwelve string guitars.[47]According to Malakian, he

would often write songs inE tuning, which would later be changed todrop C tuningin orderto be performed by the band.[44]Malakian states that "For me, the drop-C tuning is right downthe center. It has enough of the clarity and the crisp soundmost of our riffy stuff is done on thetop two strings, anywaybut it's also thicker and ballsier."[44]

Influences and comparison to other artists

The band's influences includeMiddle Eastern music,[48]Ozzy Osbourne,[43][48]DeadKennedys,[49]Frank Zappa,[50]Slayer,[48]Mike Patton[26]andVan Halen.[49]One reviewerclaimed that their music encompasses different sounds, from sounding like "FugaziplayingRush" to sometimes "tread[ing] close to Frank Zappa territory."[40]Malakian has stated that "I'm

a fan of music. I'm not necessarily a fan of any one band."[51]

Dolmayan stated "I don't think wesound like anybody else. I consider us System of a Down."[52]Odadjian stated "You can compareus to whoever you want. I don't care. Comparisons and labels have no effect on this band. Fact isfact: We are who we are and they are who they are."[52]
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