Serj Tankian "Emotionally Checked Out" During Last Couple System of a Down Albums
System of a Down's frontman Serj Tankian recently opened up about his mental state during the recording of the band's final two albums, revealing he had "emotionally checked out" during that period.
In a candid interview with Metal Hammer, Tankian discussed his mindset while creating 2005's Mezmerize and Hypnotize, describing his relationship with these records as "very unique" due to his emotional detachment from the band at the time.
"Because of the push and pull, I became very passive," Tankian explained. "There was music I wanted to bring in that I felt like I couldn't... I was in a weird place. I contributed creatively, but I needed oxygen – I felt like there was too much going on."
Despite his personal struggles during that period, Tankian maintains respect for the musical output, stating, "I still think those songs are great." However, he acknowledges that time as "a weird phase" of his life.
The revelation provides context for System of a Down's extended hiatus from 2006 to 2011. While the band has since reunited for occasional performances, they haven't released a full album in 19 years. Their only recent recordings were two singles in 2020, released to raise funds for Armenia.
Looking toward the future, Tankian suggests any new System of a Down album would represent "a fresh start in a brand new way, in a beautiful new direction." He also mentioned the existence of unreleased material from past recording sessions, describing some tracks as "amazing gems" that could potentially see release.
The band continues to perform selective shows, though Tankian remains opposed to extended touring schedules. This arrangement appears to maintain band harmony while respecting individual boundaries, suggesting lessons learned from past experiences.