The growing hype for a new System Of A Down album has been shot down by the band’s bassist, Shavo Odadjian, who has told fans that a new record is “not happening”, at least “not right now”.
Taking to Instagram Live this week, Odadjian told fans, “I know, I’m waiting for a new album too. It’s not happening, I don’t know. I don’t know when it’s gonna be. Not right now.”
His comments come after drummer John Dolmayan said earlier this year that SOAD had created a whopping 15 new “album-worthy” songs for their next project, and even hinted that a new album could arrive in 2018.
If SOAD do release a new album, it will be their first since 2005’s Mezmerize/Hypnotize . The band also haven’t toured Australia since Soundwave Festival back in 2012, so they’re definitely due for another trip down under.
Watch Shavo Odadjian’s Instagram Live video in full, below.
14 Huge Australian Tours We’re Still Waiting For
14 Huge Australian Tours We're Still Waiting For (2017)
Metallica
It's unlike Metallica to skip Australia on any album cycle, which is why we're getting impatient that we haven't seen any Aussie dates materialise for their most recent LP Hardwired... To Self Destruct . But they ~have~ confirmed a "WorldWired" tour , while Soundwave boss AJ Maddah has predicted that the band will be coming to Australia in 2017 . Let's hope it's not the day that never comes.
Beyoncé
Queen B's world tour plan's for her Lemonade may have been derailed by the whole getting-pregnant-with-twins-thing, but we're confident that we'll eventually see her return down under for the first time since 2013. We'll just have to wait.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Chilis haven't announced any Aussie dates since releasing their 2016 LP The Getaway , and they haven't played a show on Aus turf since the 2013 Big Day Out, which, seeings as how one of their recent music videos was all about an Aussie's adventures in LA , feels a bit rude. Hopefully they can hump-de-bump their way to our shores some time soon.
Frank Ocean
Mr. Ocean broke all our hearts when he exited his 2013 debut Aussie tour, including his headline set at Splendour, and that was after he pulled out of a planned 2012 Aussie tour. He's yet to make his way back to us, but after just breaking a three-year hiatus from playing live , we're holding out hope that he'll grace us with his presence again soon.
Gorillaz
It’s been seven years since virtual punks Gorillaz brought their live show to Australia, and we’re getting impatient. But with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett officially reactivating the band and hitting us with brand new album Humanz this year, a comeback surely can't be far off.
Radiohead
Radiohead can't decide if they'll bring their A Moon Shaped Pool tour to Australia , sadly. Thom Yorke & co. last toured our shores in 2012 behind The King Of Limbs , and fans have since fallen victim to a cruel Aussie tour prank which got everyone’s hopes up about a potential tour in 2017. Still, with AMSP still fairly fresh and the band also celebrating the 20th anniversary of OK Computer , we can think of two perfect reasons for them to make Australia's dream a reality.
Kanye West
Yeezy's had a lot on his plate since releasing 2016's The Life Of Pablo , including US presidential bids, highly publicised Taylor Swift beefs, his wife Kim Kardashian getting mugged in Paris and of course his hospitalisation for mental illness causing the postponement of his entire Saint Pablo tour, so we can hardly blame him for putting an Aussie visit low on the old priorities list. Still, with three years since his last down under tour, it's understandable that fans are getting a little impatient.
System Of A Down
SOAD last tore up Aussie stages as part of Soundwave Festival in 2012, and haven't been back since. The Southern Cali rockers played a buttload of festivals across 2013, reactivated at the end of 2014, headed out on their Wake Up The Souls Euro tour in 2015, and are followed it up with dates in South America, the US and Canada. Souls in Australia need waking up too, guys. What are we, Chop Suey?
Rihanna
Considering that in the past year Ri-Ri has covered Tame Impala and become BFFs with ex-PM Julia Gillard , it's basically ludicrous that she hasn't toured down under since releasing her 2016 album Anti . In fact, the 'Work' singer hasn't visited her Aussie fans since 2013. Better get Julia on the blower to sort this out.
U2
U2 are currently in the midst of a juggernaut tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their seminal 1987 LP The Joshua Tree . Sadly, an Aussie leg has yet to be announced, so punters have started a petition for Bono & co. to bring us a piece of the action . Let's hope the band ~will follow~.
Solange
Solange has been snobbing Aussie fans for the past three years, after last heading to our shores for the 2013/2014 Falls Festival. She's been touring the crap out of her much-frothed 2016 LP A Seat at the Table , but hasn't penciled Australia in just yet. Come on, Solange, we want a seat at the table too.
Lana Del Rey (UPDATE: Now Announced!)
UPDATE: Lana Del Rey has now announced a 2018 Australian tour .
Muse (UPDATE: NOW ANNOUNCED)
UPDATE: Muse have now announced a 2017 Australia tour , their first since 2013.
Paul McCartney (UPDATE: Now Announced!)
UPDATE: Paul McCartney has now announced his first Australian tour in almost 25 years !