System Of A Down’s return from an extended hiatus has been moving slow at best, with the band having only done limited tour runs in the States and Europe since 2011. So unsurprisingly, talk of whether (not even when) SOAD would release a new album in the immediate future has been light. That is until now, as bassist Shavo Odadjian has come right out and pointed the blame at Serj Tankian for no new music.
Odadjian called out Tankian’s lack of interest in recording a new SOAD album in a series of Facebook posts. Adding more fuel to the fire, the bassist even asks fans whether or not he, guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan should move on with a new singer. Here’s what Odadjian said via several (non-spelled checked) posts:
“Ok….. I’ll come clean.. It’s not us (meaning Daron,John Or Shavo!! Its 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 too.. 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 release another album again??? As for me.. I’m ready to release one with someone who wants to be the singer of SYSTEM. not soeome we have to beg to be a part of SYSTEM!! So with that in mind, what do you guys w should do? Just remember, Hes been holding us back for 7 years so far.. wanna wait another $-5 years? or shall we release a record without Serj? u tell us?????
I dont want to make a record without him… but if he’s not down? should the 3 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 whos just as good if not better? PLUS new System songs and tours???? please give me ur opinion people!!! is SYSTEM better with no singer or someone who is excited to be our new singer?? you decide.. cause im 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 3 to do.?? we really want anorther System Record! wish Serj was down but if hes not, then im going ahead and making a System record without him!!! im furious that he let us down like this, but we gotta do something to keep this great band alive!!! agreed????????”
At first glance, this appears to be more of a tweet rant than any official statement (given the poor grammar and numerous spelling mistakes). Still, Serj never has been overly excited to get back in the studio with SOAD (opting to release numerous solo projects instead). So while even Malakian has seemed more interested in recording with his own group Scars On Broadway over the past few years, we can see how the three other SOAD members are frustrated by the lack of progress regarding new material (or even more touring for that matter). With that said, it would be a little hard for longtime fans to see System Of A Down without its recognizable vocalist, even though that’s become a big trend as of late with other bands.
