During a recent conversation with Heavy Consequence, bassist Shavo Odadjian talked about System of a Down’s massively-anticipated new album, which will mark their sixth full-length release and the follow-up to 2005’s “Hypnotize.”
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Asked if the group will eventually get together to record a new album, Shavo replied:
“I think so. I think we can. Nothing between us has happened that’s so terrible that people can’t get in the studio and work. Nothing!
“Everything is just [a matter of] taste, and they just gotta get in and forget the past, and kind of move forward. And I think that will happen. I’m not worried. I’m not worried at all.
“Everything that you heard over the summer, that they kind of brought into public, was stuff that was in the past. That stuff happened a long time ago. So, it’s like, 10 years later, something new came up, but it wasn’t really new.
“It was something that was really old, and they were just hashing it out. Because one person did an interview, and I guess in the interview they paraphrased his words and it came off wrong. And I read that, too, and it wasn’t like him. He wouldn’t blame anyone.
“I spoke with Daron [Malakian, guitar], and he was like, ‘Dude, I didn’t say those things, I said it this way.’ Anyway, that kind of made someone else [Serj Tankian, vocals] think something, and then that person had to tell their point of view. It was just points of views.
“We’re not even fighting. When we see each other, we’re so happy and we’re cool. It’s weird that we don’t have a new record – or many records – and it’s weird that we don’t go on world tours. We tour, but it’s so little.”
Asked if bands like SOAD, Tool, and Rammstein need to keep releasing new music to bring rock back to the musical forefront, the bassist replied:
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“100 percent! Bro, if it was up to me, we would have done that already. I think it kind of started with us singing that ‘Kill Rock N’ Roll’ song, and then it kind of happened. [Laughs] I would love to bring it back. And, can I be honest with you?
“Between you and me and this world, and to the people who read this interview, we have material that tops everything we’ve done. And that’s me telling you, honestly. I can’t wait to record that and drop it.
“It’s just a matter of time. I just hope it happens sooner than later. But we’ve written stuff together. Daron’s brought a lot of stuff in. I’ve brought stuff to Daron and we’ve worked it out. I have so much more stuff that is ready to go out.
“I’ve told Daron this, too. I’ve said, ‘We’ve gotta get this done,’ and he’s like, ‘Yeah, I’d love to.’ So, we all want to, and I think Serj is kind of doing his own thing, and I get it.
“I don’t think we owe it to anyone [to bring back rock music to the forefront], but it would be nice if we did that because we’re capable of it.”
Asked about the recently-announced Sonic Temple Festival, which will take place in Columbus, OH in May featuring SOAD, Foo Fighters, and more bands, Odadjian replied:
“Dude, how could rock be dead with all those bands blasting in Ohio? Tell me that! Rock’s not dead. It just needs more creative bands busting their balls right now. The time will come.
“The industry is so oversaturated with these fly-by-night rappers who come in and come out. People who say ‘rock is dead’ – it’s because of that. It’s because of what’s out there saturating the industry.
“But it takes a couple of good bands to come with some good albums, and some great tours and festivals to bring it back.”