SISTEM OF A DOWN
System of a Down (SOAD) is an alternative metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. At first they called Soil, but then adopted the name System of a Down inspired by the poem Victims of a Down, written by guitarist Daron Malakian. They are famous for performing songs whose lyrics speak out against child abuse, violence, war, genocide, pornography and machismo, the predominance of materialistic interests in society, social inequalities, physical and ideological, the intolerance or discrimination, among others. It is the first band since the Beatles to have twice reached the top of album sales in the U.S. in the same year, Mezmerize and Hypnotize.1
It consists of Serj Tankian (composition, vocals, keyboards and occasionally guitar), Daron Malakian (composition, guitar and vocals), Shavarsh Odadjian (bass) and John Dolmayan (drums).
In his five albums released to date, System of a Down used a wide range of instruments, including baritone electric guitars, electric mandolin, zither, 12 string classical guitars (soprano), and other instruments of Asia. His most notable influences come from bands that started with heavy metal. They also had influences from genres such as jazz fusion, folk, hard rock, psychedelic rock, funk, blues and industrial. They also have political influence, as reflected in his speeches against the American system, social unconsciousness and abuse of power. This social and musical formula has resulted, since the release of their first album (in 1998), both the public good results, he did System of a Down a platinum disc as a part of music criticism. It was named best alternative band in 2005 at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon. Also participating in the 2006 documentary Screamers Carla Garapedian Principal, noting the horrors of modern genocide that began in Armenia in 1915 despite Darfur today, this documentary follows the band for a tour in the U.S.. UU. and Europe.
NEREA GIL ALCÁZAR