Rock band System of a Down has put apart political and artistic variations to report their first music in 15 years to carry consciousness to the present battle between Azerbaijan and Armenian.
Followers of the long-defunct metallic band are blissful at this time because the 4 members of the group got here collectively to report two songs titled Defend the Land and Genocidal Humanoidz.
Nevertheless, mood expectations, as this appears to be a brief union.
All 4 members of the band are of Armenian descent and united to carry consciousness to the disputed area of Nagorno-Karabakh (additionally known as Artsakh by Armenians.) The realm, which has a protracted historical past of battle, fell into battle once more this 12 months breaking a 1994 cease-fire.
This new battle began after Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev retaliated to a declare by Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that the area was Armenian. Efforts by Russia, France, and the USA to dealer a cease-fire have so far confirmed unsuccessful.
The band put apart many variations to report the songs, with lead singer Serj Tankian has expressed assist for Democratic candidates like Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, whereas drummer John Dolmayan has been energetic in his public assist of Donald Trump.
System of a Down taking part in a live performance in Denmark in 2017. (Image: PYMCA/Getty Pictures)
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Tankian advised that the brand new songs have been motivated wholly as a transfer of activism, relatively than enthusiasm for the band.
He stated: ‘I’m not doing this as an artist for myself or for System of a Down or for any of the fellows within the band; we’re all doing this for our individuals.
‘This isn’t a inventive resolution, this isn’t a enterprise resolution. This can be a resolution of activism, and that takes priority over all different issues for us.
‘It’s form of an obligation. We got here collectively as a result of our nation wanted us, not essentially as a result of we’re so amped to do a brand-new System of a Down track. Our individuals wanted us to do that.’
Dolmayan instigated the band’s reunion, sending messages to the opposite bandmates to galvanise them to the trigger, explaining: ‘I despatched a textual content to the opposite three guys, and stated, “Regardless of your emotions for one another and the previous, we now have to place all the pieces apart and get within the studio and create a track for our individuals to carry consideration to the state of affairs and provoke the forces of fine worldwide.”
‘I received fairly constructive responses.’
In a press release on Twitter, the band stated: ‘We as System of a Down have simply launched new music for the primary time in 15 years. The time to do that is now, as collectively, the 4 of us have one thing extraordinarily essential to say as a unified voice.’
Defend the Land is the band’s latest track in 15 years. (Image: YouTube)
As for the band reuniting sooner or later to report new music, the members warned that followers shouldn’t get their hopes up.
Dolmayan expressed enthusiasm however tempered expectations: ‘Issues aren’t as much as me. I’m on the mercy of my workforce, and though I fought for it for a few years with band members, I’ve accepted that it’s what it’s.
‘We do have 5 albums and two songs. We’ve achieved so much in our careers. If it ends at that, so be it.’
Tankian, who has shelved his solo EP Elasticity, has no plans to provide music whereas the battle is ongoing, saying: ‘I can’t consider something [else] proper now — not my very own music, not System’s music. I’m centered on what’s occurring with the struggle and praying for a cease-fire so there will be negotiations.’
Bassist Shavo Odadjian did give a glimmer of hope although, saying: ‘I’m proud that we did this. I want we may get in and do extra. Possibly this might result in that, possibly it may’t. I’ve all the time been optimistic, although.’