System of a Down (also referred to as SOAD or System) is a prominent Armenian-American heavy metal band that originated in Glendale, California, in 1994. The band lineup, as of 1997, comprises Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals), Shavo Odadjian (bass, backing vocals), and John Dolmayan (drums), who assumed the role of drummer following the departure of the original drummer, Andy Khachaturian.
Over the years, System of a Down has achieved significant commercial success, marked by the release of five studio albums. Impressively, three of these albums made their debut at number one on the prestigious US Billboard 200 chart. The band’s remarkable musical contributions have earned them recognition, including four Grammy Award nominations. Notably, their track “B.Y.O.B.” secured a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2006.
After a temporary hiatus in 2006, the band reunited in 2010. However, despite releasing two new songs in 2020 (“Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”), System of a Down has not unveiled a full-length record since the 2005 Mezmerize and Hypnotize albums. Globally, the band has achieved record sales exceeding 12 million units. Furthermore, two of their singles, namely “Aerials” and “Hypnotize,” climbed to the summit of Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart.
It is worth noting that all members of System of a Down share Armenian heritage, either as individuals born to Armenian immigrants or as immigrants themselves.
History
Formation as Soil (1992–1994)
Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian both attended Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School during their childhood years. However, due to a significant eight-year age gap, they did not cross paths until 1992 while independently engaged in separate projects at the same recording studio. It was during this period that they came together to establish a band named Soil.
Serj Tankian assumed the roles of vocalist and keyboardist, while Daron Malakian contributed his vocals and guitar skills. The original lineup also featured Dave Hakopyan, who later became associated with The Apex Theory/Mt. Helium, on bass, and Domingo “Dingo” Laranio on drums. Notably, Shavo Odadjian, another alumnus of Rose and Alex Pilibos, initially served as the band’s manager before ultimately taking up the role of second guitarist. In 1994, following just one live performance at the Roxy and a single jam session recording, Hakopyan and Laranio opted to depart from the band.