The saga of System Of A Down’s elusive new album continues to intrigue fans, as singer Serj Tankian sheds light on the band’s creative impasse in an interview with Q With Tom Power on Canada’s CBC Radio One . Tankian offers a candid insight into the heart of their discord, untangling the complexities of their artistic journey.
The dynamic between Tankian and guitarist Daron Malakian, the band’s primary creative forces, is at the heart of their creative divide. Tankian delves into the evolution of their collaboration, revealing how their roles have changed over time, with each musician venturing into the other’s domain. Tankian describes Malakian as a musician deeply committed to his art, who maintains a climate of vulnerability and fragility around his music.
Tankian explains: “I think that [le fait que Malakian soit très protecteur vis-à-vis de ses compositions] is causing some of the creative differences we’ve started to see. And it is also because of our [manque de] progress”. As their musical identities became intertwined, Tankian embraced the broadening of their artistic horizons, advocating growth and evolution. However, he laments a lack of reciprocity, expressing disappointment at the asymmetry of their creative exchange.
Looking back on their journey, Tankian explains: “A certain form of progression is necessary in the life of an artist or a group. So I encouraged him a lot. I just wish he would return the favor a little”. This sentiment encapsulates the essence of their creative divergence, highlighting the tension between artistic ambition and personal expression.
The band’s attempt to reconcile their differences and forge a new album lasted several years, marked by intermittent progress and failure. Despite initial optimism and individual efforts to rekindle the creative spark, the project ultimately failed under the weight of irreconcilable visions.
Tankian’s revelations provide more context to the band’s tumultuous journey, offering fans a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped their musical trajectory. As System Of A Down navigates the twists and turns of artistic collaboration, their legacy remains a testament to the enduring power of creative expression in the face of adversity.
Faced with uncertainty over the future of System Of A Down, Tankian is focusing on his solo projects, and in particular on promoting his new memoir, Down With The System.
