System of a Down have been plagued by creative differences for some time, and it can be a little hard to keep up, considering they’ve been back in the studio a number of times since going on hiatus in 2011.
In 2016, the alt-metal legends announced there was a new album on the cards, but in 2018 they rescinded those plans, with guitarist Daron Malakian saying the band were “not making albums” at the moment.
So who’s to blame? Last year, Malakian blamed the lack of new output on vocalist Serj Tankian being “totally set in his way of thinking,” and claiming he didn’t even want to record 2005 albums Mezmerize and Hypnotize.
In response, Tankian went in deep on the band’s issues with a public statement, addressing his concerns around things like equal creative input, equal share of the royalties.
“My only regret is that we have been collectively unable to give you another SOAD record,” Tankian wrote. “For that I apologize.”
Now, Tankian has addressed fans’ petition for System of a Down to share unreleased songs from the Mesmerize/Hypnotize recording sessions. At time of writing, around 4000 people have signed.
“Have you seen the petition Serj? I started it and didn’t expect to have so much support from everyone,” wrote one of Tankian’s Patreon subscribers.
“For the unreleased SOAD songs?” Tankian replied.
“I’m all for it. Convince everyone else,” he added.
With all that said, there doesn’t seem to be too much bad blood, considering the band have a stack of European shows scheduled for next year.
Back in August, bassist Shavo Odadjian spoke about the delays with NME.
“In my world, man, why it isn’t happening is a big question,” he commented.
“I think we can get over anything, ’cause it’s not like someone’s done anything so horrible that we can’t get over it. It ain’t anything like that. It’s just creative differences that are lasting a little too long for me, for my taste.”
