Serj Tankian shared why he was relatively ‘passive’ in System Of A Down’s last two albums, 2005’s ‘Mezmerize’ and ‘Hypnotize,’ in a recent chat with Metal Hammer.
“I had a very unique relationship with the last few [System] records because I had, to a certain degree, emotionally checked out of the band while making them,” the singer told the outlet.
While Tankian had a major role in songwriting and singing in the band’s previous albums, Daron Malakian took on a more central part in both processes during the ‘Mezmerize/Hypnotize’ era.
Tankian explained the change, saying, “Because of the push and pull, I became very passive. There was music I wanted to bring in that I felt like I couldn’t… I was in a weird place. I contributed creatively, but I didn’t… I don’t know. I needed oxygen – I felt like there was too much going on.”
Soon after releasing ‘Mezmerize’ and ‘Hypnotize,’ System Of A Down went on hiatus until 2011. Since their return, they have only released the double A-side single ‘Protect The Land/Genocidal Humanoidz’ and performed occasional shows.
In an interview on The Jesea Lee Show, Tankian discussed what it would take to produce a new album as follows: “Egalitarian approach to everything within the band. [In other words] kind of more equality in terms of sourcing of the music, in terms of splitting everything, including publishing, in terms of ideas, in terms of sharing the vision — that kind of stuff.”
While the possibility of a new System Of A Down album remains uncertain, Tankian released a solo album, ‘Foundations,’ in September 2024. The album featured a song initially intended for the band.