System Of A Down consists of Daron Malakian (guitar), John Dolmayan (drums), Serj Tankian (vocals), Shavo Odadjian (bass).
System of a Down (sometimes referred to as S.O.A.D. or System) is a band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1995. The band consists of Serj Tankian (vocals, keyboards, guitars), John Dolmayan (drums), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals) and Shavo Odadjian (bass). The members are well known for the outspoken social and political views found in their songs. All four members are of Armenian ancestry.
System of a Down uses a wide range of instruments, including baritone electric guitars, electric mandolins, sitars, 12-string classical guitars, and many other West Asian instruments. Their main influences are most noticeably from earlier alternative rock bands. They also draw influence from the heavy metal, punk rock, jazz, fusion, Armenian folk music, classic rock, blues, and industrial genres.
In 1998, the band released their debut album, System of a Down. The album was produced in part by Rick Rubin. The band enjoyed moderate success, with their first single 'Sugar' becoming a radio favorite. The singles 'Spiders' and 'War?' followed. System of a Down toured extensively, opening for Slayer, before making their way to the second stage of Ozzfest. Following Ozzfest, they toured with Fear Factory and Incubus before headlining the Sno-Core tour with Puya, Mr. Bungle and Incubus providing support. In 2000, the band contributed their cover of the Black Sabbath song " Snowblind" to the Sabbath tribute album Nativity in Black 2.
The band's big break came when their critically-acclaimed sophomore album Toxicity debuted at #1 on the American and Canadian charts, eventually achieving multi-platinum certification. The album has since sold 5 million copies worldwide. The album was #1 in America on the week of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the political environment caused by the attacks added to the controversy surrounding their hit single " Chop Suey!," causing it to be taken off the radio as it contained politically sensitive lyrics at the time: "I don't think you trust in my self-righteous suicide," for example. Regardless, the video gained constant play on MTV as did the second single, " Toxicity." Even with the controversy surrounding "Chop Suey!," for which they earned a Grammy nomination, System of a Down still received constant airplay in the United States throughout late 2001 and 2002 with their hits, "Toxicity" and "Aerials."
