System of a Down

Armenian-American quartet System of a Down merged the raw intensity of '80s underground thrash metal with the metallic edge of early-'90s alternative rock, channeling their socially aware and politically pointed lyrics straight into mosh-pit crowds amid the nu-metal surge at the start of the millennium. Their intense and unpredictable approach transformed a niche following into a widespread phenomenon, propelled by the breakthrough release Toxicity, which entered the charts at number one in 2001 and kept the band atop the rankings into the early 2000s through the companion albums Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Not long after, the group entered a lengthy break, pursuing separate solo endeavors while sustaining their visibility through occasional live shows and ongoing advocacy for recognition of the Armenian genocide. Fresh music finally arrived in 2020 with the double-sided single "Protect the Land" b/w "Genocidal Humanoidz," whose earnings supported humanitarian relief for those uprooted by the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.

Serj Tankian on vocals, Daron Malakian on guitar, Shavo Odadjian on bass, and John Dolmayan on drums assembled System of a Down in Southern California during the mid-'90s. Rapidly building momentum in Los Angeles through grassroots enthusiasm, the band circulated a three-song demo that expanded their reach across the United States as well as into Europe and New Zealand. By late 1997 they had inked a deal with American, whose releases were handled through Columbia Records. That partnership brought the self-titled debut album in the summer of 1998, which earned them support slots alongside Slayer and on the Ozzfest circuit. Alternative radio tracks "Sugar" and "Spiders" drove the record to platinum status, paving the way for the September 2001 arrival of the more expansive Toxicity. Their initial number-one album delivered another triumph in heavy music, outpacing most nu-metal peers and achieving multi-platinum certification globally. Singles "Chop Suey!" and "Aerials" helped cement the set as a defining statement of its era.

Maintaining their forward motion, Malakian launched the eatURmusic label while Tankian established Serjical Strike; Tankian further teamed with Armenian avant-garde folk musician Arto Tuncboyaciyan for the Serart collaboration. November 2002 saw System issue the stripped-down yet potent collection Steal This Album!, drawn from the Toxicity sessions. Returning to the studio with Rick Rubin in 2004, the band crafted an ambitious project issued as two halves. Mezmerize/Hypnotize sustained their signature blend of soaring vocal lines, impassioned lyrics, and abrupt structural turns. Mezmerize appeared in May 2005 and Hypnotize followed later that year, each claiming the summit of the album charts. The ensuing year brought an indefinite pause, during which Malakian formed Scars on Broadway, Dolmayan launched an online comic-book outlet and started Indicator while briefly joining Scars on Broadway, Odadjian linked with RZA, AcHoZeN, and George Clinton, and Tankian began a solo path. Though the foursome reunited for scattered tours across the 2010s, they stayed focused on individual work and Armenian advocacy. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war spurred a temporary return for the benefit single "Protect the Land" b/w "Genocidal Humanoidz," which generated more than half a million dollars for families affected by the conflict.