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Editorials

ENOUGH ABOUT THIS SYSTEM OF A DOWN “REUNION” ALREADY

 Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 at 11:00am by

I’m tired of hearing about this System of a Down “reunion.” Not because I don’t like the band; I’m quite happy they’ll be playing shows again, in fact. But because it’s not a reunion. System never broke up. Therefore they cannot get back together.

It’s been 5 years since System of a Down released new music. Here are some other bands that often take a very long time to release new albums:

  • Metallica (5 years between St. Anger and Death Magnetic)
  • Tool (Always take at least 5 years)
  • Nevermore (5 years between This Godless Endeavor and The Obsidian Conspiracy)
  • Machine Head (4 years between Through the Ashes and Blackening, will be at least 4 years before a new album)
  • Iron Maiden (4 years between A Matter of Life and Death and The Final Frontier)
  • Ozzy Osbourne (6 years between Ozzmosis and Down to Earth, another 6 years between Down to Earth and Black Rain)

In all those cases not a single person cried “Eureka!! They’re getting back together!!” when they decided to make new music, nor will anyone do so when they write and release new music in the future.

Also, does anyone notice a pattern with the above bands? Nevermore excepted, those are huge fucking bands that play arenas, just like System of a Down was when they wrapped up their last touring cycle. Maybe touring the world with a gigantic stage show for 2-3 years gets tiring? I mean it could all be peaches and cream, but I’m just saying… it sounds fucking grueling as hell to me, and a little break is warranted.

Maybe the System of a Down guys knew that by creating this whole “on hiatus” band status thing they’d be stoking the fires of the rumor mill and they’d be getting the media in a frenzy any time any member so much as mentioned System in the meantime. I mean, that’d be a pretty brilliant marketing strategy… way more people seem to give a shit when you say your band “broke up” and is subsequently “getting back together” than when you just take your sweet ass time writing records. But I’m pretty sure the move by System wasn’t deliberate; all four members were very vocal and careful in the press about saying, “no, we’re not breaking up, we’re just taking a little time off.” No big fights between members, no fucking each other’s girlfriends, no crazy drugged out delusions (that we know of), no shenanigans… just overworked musicians needing a little downtime.

So enough with all this “reunion” talk; if you wanna talk smack about System of a Down go ahead and do that, but I don’t wanna see the word “reunion” anywhere near their name because they didn’t fucking break up. They were ALWAYS going to get together to write and record new music and tour together after taking this little vacation; there was never any doubt. Oh, and hey, Phil Freeman, I love ya but points 3 and 4 of your article are hence moot and you’re wrong about points 1, 2 and 5; Hypnotize and Mezmerize were masterpieces (especially the former) and Serj’s solo stuff has been kinda “meh.” Furthermore, System’s political/social message is as vital now in this overly content and lulled America as it ever was.

-VN

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  • raiseyerfists

    I hope they bring this reunion to the States!!!

    • jamie

      well no shit

      that’s like hoping theres food left when you go to a mcdonalds

      • http://www.schenkeltown.com Schenkeltown

        it’s like hoping you have an extra roll of toilet paper after eating mcdonalds

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Gavin/1396340262 Mark Gavin

          It’s like hoping Wal-Mart has toilet paper in stock when you realize you’re out of toilet paper.

          • J

            it’s like hoping walmart has toilet paper in stock incase there’s none in the restroom after eating mcdonalds in said walmart.

  • WV

    well the biggest diffrence between those bands mentioned and system, is some of those bands have been touring between those albums. mh been at it for years it seems touring with metallica, megadeth, h&h. maiden toured and had a film released between those albums, and ozzy just wouldnt go away.

    if theyd did a tour here and there this wouldve been no big deal.

    • http://www.metalsucks.net Vince Neilstein

      System toured consistently for 2+ years following Mezmerize and Hypnotize.

      • Anthony

        Mezmerize was release in May 2005. Their last tour was Ozzfest 2006.

        Nice try, though.

      • dani_soad

        silly billy

        • WV

          by the time they play next summer itll be about 5 years since theyve been on stage together. they just stopped, even while being in a very successful time for them. thats the point. all those other bands just didnt disappear for that long. glad theyre back though.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Taco-Bozzacco/678620036 Mike Taco Bozzacco

    Some of the best musicians to come out of Armenia! And well said those two albums were definitely masterpieces, and though it isn’t a reunion I’m glad to see them back together

  • David

    All of the bands mentioned, except maybe Tool, were touring or doing other band activities in those times between albums. Not so for System of a Down.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Taco-Bozzacco/678620036 Mike Taco Bozzacco

      but Serj did have his solo project, “elect the dead”. It could be that
      Serj wanted a chance to try a solo project that lead to their hiatus

  • alex

    maybe their is still hope for a mike portnoy / dream theater reunion !!!

  • The Curmudgeon

    The whole thing about breaking up only because people get stoked for reunions is absolutely true. It may not apply to SOAD but it definitely happens often.

    • Dirtman73

      Seeing as how they took a definite downward spiral with each album, I could see it applying with SOAD’s case too. They really decided to ride the suckboat down that ol’ river of relevancy.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Sterner/1335958279 Andrew Sterner

        Toxicity worse than their first two? Nah. I can see how, maybe someone could say their first was better(although i would call bs), but Toxicity slays Steal this album.

  • http://www.thejamminjabber.com thejamminjabber

    Scars on Broadway was turtle shit.

    • SP420

      I’ve seen a turtle shit right in front of me in 95 degree weather. Wasn’t pretty.

      • Dirtman73

        But how did it taste?

        • jamie

          he got you there turtle boy

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Laurence-Cutrone/43905434 Laurence Cutrone

    SYL went for 6 years without anything. Then Septermber 11th, Dev began getting angry again and BAM next thing you know SYL self titled year and half later. Bands like Opeth are on almost regular 2 year cycles.

    Morbid Angel is 7 going on 8 without even being on haiatus. Holy shit, Heretic came out in 2003 and that was 7 years ago… fuck I’m old.

  • Full Metal Life Jacket

    Who fucking cares? If they write new music, some people will like it and some won’t. It doesn’t matter how good or bad it is. I thought they got better with every album so the next one could be the best yet. I doubt it after hearing what these guys did during their time off though. Maybe that’s really the key though, that neither one of those guys are that good without the other.

  • tehsLammer

    They were on indefinite hiatus and they did seperate shit for a while, so technically they weren’t broken up and it was obvious they were gonna get back together after awhile. But it’s still kind of a reunion for them for being together and making music.

    But who gives a fuck… I loved the self-titled (More) and Hypnotize and I’m excited to see where there music goes because usually when artists take a break and do other stuff they go back to there roots. Either way I’m gonna go get more baked and go look at that metal map for hours.

  • TreE

    Yeah but all those bands you listed were also touring the whole time in between records so atleast your still seeing them.

  • Rudiger

    slow news day? like everyone else has said, those bands were still playing shows. i was never big on SOAD but i say this qualifies as a reunion for sure

  • msv81

    I think the main difference between the bands you mentioned and SOAD is the that the latter made official statements to the press regarding their “going on haitus” whereas the others continued to tour and/or simply concluded their album/tour cycle and then took some necessary time off before reconvening to begin a new writing process.

    In the case of SOAD, their “hiatus” was largely due to internal turmoil between Serj and that jackass guitarist who’s name eludes me at the moment. The band’s self-titled album as well as Toxicity are ridiculously good records, one reason being Serj’s role as the main contributor when it came to lyrics and vocal peformance. Yes, I know the guitarist had SOME (read: minimal) input lyrically speaking and was utilized as a backup singer. Problems began to brew when he decided it was his place to take more creative control; it’s difficult for me to understand how any fan of this band, upon comparing lyrics of the first two albums and the last two albums (I consider STA as mere outtakes and b-sides rather than an actual full length release of new material), can actually think SOAD’s later work is anything but subpar. Honestly, the vast majority of lyrics on Mesmerize and Hypnotize are so fucking stupid it makes me feel dumber listening to them. And why? Because Mr. Egomaniac guitar player has the writing ability of a twelve year old and don’t even get me started on the abortion of a voice he has. Listening to that high pitched, off key, horrendously annoying vocal performance makes me want to stick sharp objects into my ears.

    Plain and simple: he SUCKS. He is a no talent hack who should have kept his mouth shut and known his place as a guitarist and if he is LUCKY an occasional backup vocalist. Empirical evidence of this: Serj’s solo material vs. Scars on Broadway. Think what you will of Elect The Dead and Imperfect Harmonies, but either one of those records is a masterpiece compared to the pathetic excuse for music that is Scars. Moreover, that guitar playing douchebag at one point made a statement akin to placing SOB on par with The Beatles. THE FUCKING BEATLES?!?!? I’m not even that big a fan of them in general but I certainly appreciate their status as THE band who changed the face of rock and roll forever. And this egomaniac compares himself to John Lennon? Riiiight, buddy, keep on sniffing that cocaine! Didn’t Scars On Broadway play, like, a total of five shows ever? I recall the album coming out and a short while later hearing an announcement from the band stating there would be subsequent tour (no legitimate reasons for the cancellation provided). Hmm maybe it’s because while Serj was headlining sold out theater shows and selling records, your pathetic excuse for a band had their album flop worse than saggy tits on Egomaniac’s grandmother.

    Alright this rant has gone on long enough. All in all, I’m glad to hear the band is back together an I hope to see them tour the US. As for a new record, sure, bring it on so long as Serj handles all lyrical and vocal duties.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Phil-Freeman/1315346890 Phil Freeman

      Please note that even though I agree with every word of the above post, I did not write it under a pseudonym.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Phil-Freeman/1315346890 Phil Freeman

        Except for the part about being excited to see a reunited SOAD, of course.

    • Kazz

      Daron Malakian (jackass guitarist) was still the primary composer of the music on the first two albums. So you’ve got to give him credit there. I thought Mezmerize/Hypnotize was a musical step forward and a vocal/lyrical step back for SOAD. That was probably due to Daron having more input in the vocals, but it wasn’t all bad. Even Lonely Day, if you can somehow manage to blockout the assinine lyrics, is a good song musically imo.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Sterner/1335958279 Andrew Sterner

        No. His voice is terrible. Serj’s voice is at worst(not live) tolerable, and his is, at it’s best, agonizing. This isn’t a hyperbole or an exaggeration. They need to keep him FAR away from a microphone, or if they do do allow him, keep any use of his voice at a minimum. By minimum, I mean how much he was used in Toxicity. That amount is tolerable. What came afterwards is just unacceptable.

        Now, his guitar work is actually pretty good, so if he can stay away from the mic, I have no qualms with the little ferret.

  • blahblah

    hey vince, you know who else never actually broke up, yet you kept referring to their reactivity as a reunion? CAVE IN

    http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/04/29/cave-in-reunion-cave-in-reunion-cave-in-reunion/
    http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/04/29/update-official-statement-from-cave-in-regarding-reunion/

    hypocrite much?

  • Max

    Nine Inch Nails: 5 years from The Downward Spiral to The Fragile, then another 6 years until With Teeth came out. Obviously a band has to pretty successful to take such a long break, which is why System of a Down can do it. I think that in their case, the “hiatus” was a result of a lot of tension within the band, and rather than officially break up, they decided that a hiatus would leave their options a little more open. I’m glad that they may be getting back together, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for a new album.

  • Aaron

    For all the douche bags who rag on daron malakian, serj’s solo stuff sounds like system of a down without daron in it, and scars on broadway sounds like soad with no serj.
    Serj solo: freaky idiot who throws his ideas way too far out there with no one to keep his “experimental”(shitty) side in check.
    Scars on Broadway: simple riffs, dumb lyrics

    Add ‘em up and as shitty as they sound apart they sound great as system of a down.

    • Pastor of Muppets

      You say “System of a Down without Daron” as if it’s a bad thing…

  • sacredchao

    First album was indeed a masterpiece. Toxicity was amazing. Steal This Album was neither of those things. I worked at a record store when the next one came out, and put a copy in the CD player. Everyone was laughing at how bad it was I couldn’t even bring myself to admit I’d been the one to put it in. Garbage, pure and simple.

    I saw them a couple days after 9/11, whatever that tour was called. The one with Slipknot and Rammestein. They were amazing. Saw them again a year later at Ozzfest. They are fantastic live. It almost makes me excited about this thing, but I know they’d spend way too much time on the lousy stuff they started pumping out after Toxicity, so I won’t be bothering.