The Two-Decade Wait for New SOAD Music

System of a Down (SOAD), the Grammy-winning option metal band, hasn’t released a full-length studio album since 2005’s hypnotic Eyes. For two decades, fans have speculated about the reasons for this prolonged silence.In a recent interview with Outcome as reported by Ultimate Guitar, vocalist Serj Tankian clarified that the lack of new music isn’t due to interpersonal conflicts within the band.

Not a Case of dislike, But divergent Creative Paths

Tankian explained that the common reason bands cease to create together is often a lack of personal connection between members. However, he emphatically stated this isn’t the case with SOAD. “Moast bands don’t work together as they may not like each other. In our case, that’s not the case at all,” Tankian said. The issue, instead, lies in the band members’ individual creative pursuits and differing approaches to songwriting.

He elaborated that each member is actively involved in numerous other projects, making it challenging to align schedules and creative visions for a cohesive SOAD album.Tankian himself has released several solo albums and collaborated on various musical projects, while the other members – Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan – also maintain active careers outside of the band.

The SOAD Creative Process: A Unique Challenge

SOAD’s songwriting process has always been unique,characterized by a collaborative yet often fragmented approach.The band members frequently bring fully formed song ideas to the table, rather than building songs collectively from scratch. This method, while successful in the past, presents a hurdle when trying to create a new album, as it requires a consensus on which individual contributions to pursue.

Tankian noted that the band has a considerable amount of completed material – approximately 20-25 songs – that could perhaps form an album. However, reaching an agreement on the final tracklist and overall direction has proven difficult. He acknowledged that the band’s democratic approach, while admirable, can sometimes hinder progress.

Touring Continues Despite Album Impasse

Despite the challenges in creating new music, System of a Down remains an active touring band. They recently completed a successful North American tour with fellow band Sleep Token and are scheduled for further performances. Tankian emphasized that the band enjoys performing together and connecting with their fans, even without a new album to promote.