A new System of a Down album probably isn't happening anytime soon. Both vocalist Serj Tankian and guitarist Daron Malakian have used their ideas for a new record for their solo projects, and drummer John Dolmayan isn't even sure he wants to do new music. Bassist Shavo Odadjian has since launched his North Kingsley project, though he tells Metal Hammer he still has tons of ideas for a new System of a Down record and that North Kingsley is not him simply moving on.
“No. No way. This is new and it’s great and I can’t wait to take it over the top, and my heart is in this because System is not working. But my heart is always with System as well. I’ll take the time off and work with System any time they’re ready. I have about 25 different things that I could still bring to System. I know Daron’s got tons of music. We are always writing music.
"I’m not closing the book on System because I’m doing this. I know a lot of people are like, ‘Oh no, it’s the final guy, the one who was always System Of A Down, always pushing for System, the cheerleader – now he’s doing this.’ Yeah, I’m doing my own thing because I need to. And when the time is right, I’ll be doing that other thing. I’m not going to close any doors to anything ever."
If you're interested in new System of a Down, new Serj Tankian might be your best bet. Tankian recently said his new solo stuff is basically what you'd expect if System of a Down tried to do Toxicity again.
"Originally I had these songs in mind for a System record if we were to end up doing a System record. But as we could not really see eye to eye on how to go forward with that I decided to finish them off myself and release them as an EP.
"I always have random rock tracks done at different times and I sit on them. And then one day the right project or right idea for releasing them will come along. They all have piano or synthesizers, which is a little different than the four-person crew with System, although we had some synths as well. It’s got stuff that’s really heavy, heavy and there’s a funny aspect and then there’s a song about my son. It kind of runs the gauntlet on diversity of thematic expression: political, non-political. I guess that’s always been me, all over the place. I think I’m gonna call it Elasticity just because I wanted to do it with System and it didn’t happen. For me, it’s not Toxicity but it is Toxicity. [Laughs.] That’s what I’m thinking of calling it. I haven’t finalized it, but that’s what I’m thinking of calling it. We’ll probably put it out later this year."
So at least there's that, right?
