Fifteen years since their last studio album, Armenian-American heavy metal band System Of A Down return with two new songs ('Protect The Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz'), sparked to life after seeing the current conflict unfolding in the Republic Of Artsakh.
"We're probably the only rock band that has governments as enemies," the group's guitarist, songwriter Daron Malakian says."The only rock band that's at war, so I wrote these songs to boost the morale of our troops and Armenians around the world."
On 27 September, 2020, fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan (backed by Turkey, a country responsible for the Armenian Genocide in 1915) over Artsakh, with humanitarian organisations reporting hundreds of civilian casualties and human rights violations.
Profoundly affected, Dolmayan texted his three bandmates.
"I texted: 'No matter how we feel about each other, no matter what issues linger from the past, we need to put them aside because this is bigger than System Of A Down and bigger than all of us. We need to do something to support our people.'"
After a conference call, the band voiced the same concern and importance of helping in some way; the way they knew best - music.
"The aggression and injustice being perpetrated against the Armenian people in Artsakh and Armenia by Azerbaijan and Turkey is a human rights violation and a war crime," singer Serj Tankian says.
"All of us in System realise this is an existential battle for our people, so this is very personal for us. What we need right now is for the world to put politics aside and support Armenia by sanctioning Turkey and Azerbaijan and recognising Artsakh."
The release of 'Protect The Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz' is to raise awareness and funds to aid the people of Artsakh and Armenia.
As to whether this signals a potential new System Of The Down, final word goes to bass player, Shavo Odadjian commenting on the recording of the two new songs.
"It was such a pleasure for us to be together in the studio again, very comforting and natural, like no time had passed at all."
