SERJ TANKIAN Reflects On Being “Emotionally Checked Out” During SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s Final Albums

In a candid interview for Metal Hammer, Serj Tankian, the voice behind System Of A Down, shared an introspective look into his mindset during the creation of the band’s final studio albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Released in 2005, these records marked the end of an era for the nu-metal icons, and as Tankian now admits, it was a time of emotional disengagement for him.

“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,” Tankian revealed. His openness sheds light on the creative tensions that brewed within the group.

Reflecting further, he noted, “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.”

Despite the struggles, Tankian acknowledges the positive aspects of recording those albums, particularly the involvement of famed producer Rick Rubin. Tankian fondly recalls the sessions at Rubin‘s studio in Laurel Canyon, opposite the legendary Houdini house, as moments of creative beauty amidst personal and professional challenges.

“I still think those songs are great. But when I think back on it, I also remember that it was a weird phase of my life, and that’s something I have to be aware of as well. We really enjoyed recording the albums at Rick Rubin‘s place in Laurel Canyon, right across from the Houdini house.”

Tankian‘s words echo the feelings expressed in his 2018 manifesto for his bandmates, where he wrote: “When we first started our creative input and financial revenue splits were close to equal within the band. By the time Mezmerize and Hypnotize came around, we were at the diametrically opposite end on both with Daron controlling both the creative process and making the lion’s share of publishing not to mention wanting to be the only one to do press.”

“I wanted to leave the band before Mezmerize/Hypnotize for these developing reasons. This is why I personally don’t feel as close to the music on those records. There were songs I wanted to bring in but was hampered by unkept promises coupled with my own passivity at the time.”

System Of A Down has been on a creative hiatus after the release of Mezmerize and Hypnotize, reuniting in 2011 without producing any new albums since. Their most recent studio output is the 2020 double single Protect The Land/Genocidal Humanoidz.

Speculation about new music continues, and Tankian addressed the topic in an interview with The Sun last month. He suggested that any future record would require a completely fresh approach. “I would say if System ever decided to make a record, it would be a fresh start in a brand new way, in a beautiful new direction,” he said.

Adding intrigue for fans, Tankian disclosed the existence of unreleased material in the band’s archives. “We do have some unreleased material from the past that’s set. I forgot how many songs there are, but it’s a handful of them that would be interesting also in an archival capacity because I think some of them are some really amazing gems,” he shared.