System of a Down



In the midst of what might be the tensest Election Day aftermath since 2000, legendary metal band System of a Down released their first new material in fifteen years. Although it's a valid assumption considering their history, you'd be mistaken if you thought this was a response to the state of the USA in 2020.
Instead, #SOAD, entirely composed of Armenian Americans, wrote these in response to the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh (or the Republic of #Artsakh), a territory that nominally belongs to Azerbaijan but is mainly settled by Armenians and is currently being attacked by both Azerbaijan and Turkey as deep-seated ethnic tensions have flared up once again. Proceeds from the sale of this release, as well as any additional donations, will directly benefit Armenia Fund, an organization aiming to help those in Armenia and Artsakh.
These songs, "Protect the Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz," have shown that despite their long period of dormancy, System of a Down still have the sound, songwriting and charisma that made them such a popular force in the 2000s despite their overtly anti-war sentiments placing them squarely against many trends in the era's media. Longtime fans will observe parallels between these songs and both well-known songs like "Aerials" or "Cigaro" and deeper cuts like "Sad Statue" or "Vicinity of Obscenity."
Perhaps this release, if well-received enough, may signal the band's long-awaited return to making music once again. At first, I thought the possibility might've been nixed by drummer John Dolmayan's unapologetic support for Donald Trump, as was revealed months ago, but it appears lead singer Serj Tankian, who has repeatedly criticized Trump, can settle their differences over a shared common goal of advocacy for Armenians. If they really do officially reunite, here's hoping that this seeming disparity doesn't neuter the messages that brought them such a loyal fanbase and widespread recognition.
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