System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan has opened up about the band’s current trajectory, casting doubt on the release of any new music while leaving the door open to a future collaboration, if the stars align. In a recent conversation with an Argentine radio station, Dolmayan spoke candidly about where the iconic metal group stands after decades together.
“It’s been a long time,” Dolmayan said, referencing the band’s last studio albums, the back-to-back releases of Mezmerize and Hypnotize in 2005. “It’s not impossible, but I’d say it’s unlikely. That way, if it does happen, everyone’s pleasantly surprised.”
The band, known for its politically charged lyrics and genre-defying sound, has long been plagued by creative differences. Although they reunited for occasional live performances, efforts to produce new material have faltered, a frustration Dolmayan has not hidden over the years.
“I feel like we have a gift, something really rare,” he said. “To not be using it-it feels like we’re wasting it.”
Despite the standoff, System of a Down did briefly come together in 2020 to release two tracks, “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz,” in response to the conflict in Artsakh. The urgency of the humanitarian crisis in Armenia provided a cause they could all rally behind, even if just for a short time. The band donated the proceeds from those songs to Armenian relief efforts, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Still, the question remains: what stands in the way of more music?
Over the years, both John Dolmayan and frontman Serj Tankian have alluded to differing creative visions within the group. Tankian has pushed for a more egalitarian songwriting approach, wanting each member to have a fair say. Dolmayan, while not dismissive of this idea, believes personalities and priorities have shifted, and that harmony is hard to manufacture once it’s been lost.
“Everybody wants different things,” Dolmayan noted. “When you’ve been together for over 25 years, the same goals you started with may not be there anymore.”
That said, the band hasn’t closed the curtain entirely. They’re still active on the touring circuit and are set to appear in North and South America this year. While new tracks may not be on the horizon, their legacy continues to draw large crowds.
For fans holding out hope for a surprise release, Dolmayan’s words serve as both a reality check and a glimmer of possibility. After all, few expected the 2020 singles. In a band as unpredictable as System of a Down, silence doesn’t always mean the end.