WHEN SYSTEM OF A DOWN RETURN, THEY WILL BE A STRONGER BAND

Perhaps System of a Down’s hiatus will last longer than their fans want, but when they return the band will be stronger than before.

System of a Down have certainly enjoyed tremendous success around the globe with their infectious blend of hard rock mixed with elements of middle eastern music built around socially political lyrics. Of the bands five albums, four of them have gone platinum and one, 2005’s “Toxicity” has been certified multiple platinum with sales of over seven million units worldwide. After System of a Down’s last tour, which was 2006’s Ozzfest tour, the band unexpectedly took an indefinite hiatus leaving many fans stunned, considering their last two albums “Mezmerize” and “Hypnotize” both were number one The Billboard chart in the same year.

We caught up with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, who was in the studio mixing the debut album for his latest project Achozen, to get his thoughts on System of a Down coming back a stronger band after their hiatus.

“When System of a Down formed we didn’t form thinking that ten years from that day we were going to be number one on Billboard, you know what I mean and there’d be a riot going on somewhere if we can’t play a show or that we’d be winning a Grammy and having a number one album we just did it because we loved to and I guess that does show. And we did it organically and we did it without catering to anyone besides ourselves and after so many years of doing that we had to kind of chill so we can not stop doing that and hopefully when we get back together it will be stronger than ever. Cut that…when we get back together again it’ll be ten times stronger than ever.”

So has there been talks between System of a Down about when the hiatus will end?

“There’s always been talks. We didn’t break up. This always has been and is hiatus. I know it’s a time where we’re taking off from working with each other and working with others. Not meaning we aren’t going to get back together and work with each other again it’s been a really long time that we have been together, but like I said before we’re friends.”

Although fans can expect System of a Down to get back together, clearly there is no time frame as each member continues working on other projects. Shavo Odadjian will be releasing a Hip Hop record with his latest band Achozen, which also features RZA from The Wu Tang Clan. Serj Tankian, after a successful solo album “Elect the Dead” will begin recording another solo album in 2009. Guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan have formed Scars on Broadway and released their debut album, but the band cancelled their tour but hopefully will be back on the road in 2009.