SYSTEM SHAVO AND WU-TANG RZA PROMOTE POSITIVITY WITH ACHOZEN

System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian talks about his new project with Wu Tang’s RZA and why it changed his life

While System of a Down continue on their indefinite hiatus, each member of the band has an opportunity to concentrate on other musical endeavors and for bassist Shavo Odadjian that means his current project, Achozen. The project, which has been a few years in the making, forms the unlikely pairing of Odadjian and lyricist and vocalist RZA from The Wu Tang Clan. While Odadjian programs most of the beats and plays some guitar, bass, sitar and a few other eclectic instruments, RZA is left to concentrate on the lyrics along with Kinetic 9 and Reverened William Burke, who round out the lineup.

We caught up with Shavo Odadjian to get his thoughts on Achozen’s debut album being a Hip Hop concept album having a positive message.

“We have a product that I can go and see if I want to do this independently or if I want to go through major distribution, I’m not exactly sure if people are going to get the concept. It’s a Hip Hop concept record and right now I don’t know if the radio is ready for it. But I really am not releasing this, you know me and RZA we just said it in a lot of interviews we want to help people with this. We just want to exercise brains, we really want to help kids think. It’s a very positive record. It’s a positive outlook on life instead of the usual negative.”

The as of yet untitled Hip Hop album, which was recorded in Odadjian’s home studio, also features a few surprise guests like Red Hot Chili Pepper guitarist John Frusciante, former Machine Head guitarist Logan Madar and fellow Wu Tang rapper GZA, to name just a few. Shavo also talked about how everyone involved gave their heart to the project.

“This isn’t a commercial Hip Hop record, you know what I mean? It’s got stories and it’s an adventure. It’s a musical experience. It’s a lot to take in. I don’t expect everyone to hear it and go ‘Oh, I get it.’ No, no, no. Each song is different on another tip. We recorded it in a room, without a vocal booth. I mean this is such a from the heart record. Everyone that came in and did anything just, you know did it from their heart. I got John Frusciante from The Red Hot Chili Peppers to play on a track. He played guitar and ripped it up. Just a couple of takes and a couple of comps and boom.”

The bond between Shavo and RZA formed a few years back and as the album comes to fruition, Odadjian looked back and realized what a life changing experience working with RZA was.

“Yeah it changed my life. Working with him not only changed my life but his teachings in life, not teachings but his opening my mind up to things you know. I don’t know, it’s inspiring man. It’s inspiring all together. Before someone that I looked up to, to like look up to me and to respect me the way I respect him is a big deal and positive reinforcement brings out positive outcomes. It’s constant elevation.”

Shavo and RZA plan to have Achozen’s debut album finished by the end of January although there is no set release date as they decide what the best way to distribute their concept album will be. Shavo continues to stay busy during his break from System of a Down as he also started urSession, which is an online website that allows musicians to build a worldwide fan base, accept feedback and even collaborate musically with people all over the globe. System of a Down fans continue to patiently wait for the ground breaking Los Angeles band to return from their break, and Artisan News will have news about this in the coming days.