System of a Down has been blowing out our eardrums since 1994 with hits like B.Y.O.B., Aerials and Chop Suey!. Since the only way to listen to these songs are at 11, these songs leave you with a headrush and your ears pounding while you beg for more.
System’s lyrics have always been politically driven whether it be about American politics or Armenian politics since it is well known that the group’s band members Serj Tankian, Shavo Odadjian, Daron Malakian, and John Dolmayan are of Armenian descent.
System of a Down has disassembled and reassembled throughout the years but after learning that the country of Azerbaijan started a war with Armenia in September, they decided to put their differences aside and quickly get to work on the two songs, “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz,” which were released on Friday, November 6, 2020. All proceeds from the songs are going to Armenia Fund.
SOAD was recently interviewed by local broadcasters:
Bassist Shavo Odadjian said, “This is gruesome shit that’s going on… There’s nothing humane about it. They’re not saying, ‘Oh, leave our lands. We’ll be so polite to help you leave.’ They’re massacring people and doing all sorts of cowardly, disgusting things. And that just touches all of us [in the band].”
The group shared the meaning of the two songs on BandCamp: “These two songs, “Protect The Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz” both speak of a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of Artsakh and Armenia.” Adding, ‘We’re proud to share these songs with you and hope you enjoy listening to them. Further, we encourage you to read on to learn more about their origins and once you do, hope you are inspired to speak out about the horrific injustices and human rights violations occurring there now. Most importantly and urgently, we humbly implore you to donate, in sums small or large to help those adversely affected with what are ever growing accounts of crimes against humanity… The music and lyrics speak for themselves. We need you to speak for Artsakh. Peace, Daron, Shavo, John and Serj”
