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System of a Down (commonly referred to as System or abbreviated as SOAD) is a four-piece American rock band, formed in 1995 in Glendale, California. All four members are of Armenian descent, grandsons of Armenian Genocide survivors, and are widely known for their outspoken views found in many of their songs.

System of a Down has achieved commercial success over five albums, with singles such as "Chop Suey!", "Aerials", "B.Y.O.B.", and "Hypnotize". Their works have earned them one Grammy Award amongst three nominations.

System of a Down is a part of the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization formed by band member Serj Tankian (along with Tom Morello), dedicated to bringing together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.

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Style and influences

The stylistic variety and level of experimentation in System of a Down's music have made it difficult to describe. Though they have evolved their sound with each album, System of a Down has, for the most part, maintained a single style throughout their body of work. This style mixes elements and influences from a wide variety of genres such as alternative rock, punk rock, folk music, psychedelic music, classic metal, thrash metal, and progressive rock. This has made them difficult to categorize, prompting the press to describe them with several different genre handles, among them alternative metal, hard rock, nu metal and progressive metal.

The band has used a wide range of instruments, including electric mandolins, baritone electric guitars, acoustic guitars, ouds, sitars and twelve string guitars. Furthermore, a variety of keyboards and synthesizers have been used on live shows. Drop C tuning was used exclusively on the first three albums, with later records mostly relying on drop Db tuning.

The band has cited Middle Eastern music as one of its influences and mentioned on several accounts that they appreciate The Beatles and Kiss. On their own style, Odadjian said "I don't think we sound like anybody else. I consider us System of a Down." and Dolmayan stated "You can compare us to whoever you want. I don't care. Comparisons and labels have no effect on this band. Fact is fact: We are who we are and they are who they are."

Band members

Current members

• Serj Tankian - lead vocals, keyboard, rhythm guitar (1995–2006; hiatus)
• Daron Malakian – vocals, lead guitar (1995–2006; hiatus)
• Shavo Odadjian – bass guitar, backing vocals (1995–2006; hiatus)
• John Dolmayan – drums, percussion (1997–2006; hiatus)

Former members

• Andy Khachaturian – drums, percussion (1995–1997)

Studio, guest, tour, and extra members

• Harry Perry – rhythm guitar (played rhythm guitar live on the Ozzfest 2006 Tour)
• Abe Cunningham – drums (played drums during a live performance of "Science" live in Sacramento, CA October 1, 2005)
• Charlie Benante – drums (played drums during a live performance of "Bounce" live @ the Allstate Arena September 30, 2005)
• Kirk Hammett – guitar (played guitar during a live performance of "Aerials" live @ the Hollywood Palladium November 15, 2003)
• Arto Tunçboyacıyan – vocals, additional instruments (Toxicity and Steal This Album!)
• Joey Jordison – drums (played drums live on October 31, 2001)
• Rick Rubin – piano (Sugar E.P., System of a Down and Toxicity)
• Wu-Tang Clan – vocals (Featured on "Shame" on the Loud Rocks Compilation and the Lonely Day EP)
• Lynn Strait - vocals (Featured on a live performance of "War?" live @ The Roxy Los Angeles, CA August 22, 1998)
• Vanik Vartanian – drums (played drums during a live performance "Arto" live @ The Roxy Los Angeles, CA August 22, 1998)

Discography

Studio albums

References

1. Nettleton, Chris. "System of a Down review". drownedinsound.com. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
2. ^ "System of a Down at the All Music Guide". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
3. Strauss, Neil (2003-03-26). "The Pop Life: MTV is Wary of Videos on War". nytimes.com. Retrieved 2007-07-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. "American Recordings/Columbia Records press release for the release of Toxicity". PR Newswire. 2002-04-23. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
5. Armoudian, Maria (2003-02-06). "Rock's Axis of Activism". salon.com. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. Serpick, Evan (2005-12-15). "System of a Down - Prog-metal Radicals". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2007-07-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. ^ Nalbandian, Bob. "Interview with System of a Down". jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
8. "Interview with System of a Down". voxonline.com. Retrieved 2007-07-21.
9. Griwkowsky, Fish (2006-06-23). "System of a Down Fight the Fight". jam.canoe.ca. Retrieved 2007-07-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. "Official System of a Down MySpace". myspace.com/soad. Retrieved 2007-07-21.

External links

• Official website
• Template:MySpace
• Template:Dmoz

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• 1990s music groups
• 2000s music groups
• American alternative metal musical groups
• Alternative metal musical groups
• Armenian musical groups
• Grammy Award winners
• Nu metal musical groups
• Los Angeles musical groups
• Musical groups established in 1995
• Quartets
• System of a Down