Metal Anarchy

During a recent chat with producer Rick Rubin, System Of A Down’s Daron Malakian discussed the band’s lack of new material. He also confirmed that he is unsure about the possibility of pursuing a “new story” with new music.

Malakian said the following when asked about the creative differences that ended up surfacing during the “Hypnotize” and “Mezmerize” sessions:

“It was an interesting time, because, just the dynamic in the band had changed. We all kind of changed.”

He continued when asked if success changed the dynamic:

“I don’t know. Yeah, maybe success had something to do with it. Well, Serj [Tankian]‘s heart wasn’t into it the same way.”

He added:

“I think the way we picked System songs to be on the record, is everyone, we had a list of songs — It was very democratic, to be honest with you.”

Rubin concurred, saying “the best songs won always.”

Malakian continued:

“Yeah, well, I can’t tell you which one to pick. I can’t tell John [Dolmayan] which one to pick, but it just so happens that a lot of the ones that were picked were songs that I brought in. And nothing was ever done… Like no one was trying to hurt anybody.

It was just… We were… In my head, I don’t care who wrote what song, I just wanted the best songs, and the songs that worked together and made that album. You know, I just wanted the best for the band, best for the album.

And we were just in a weird place where we had a member that was just kind of not along with it, the same way that he was before… I don’t want to say the wrong thing, because you say something, and then all of a sudden it becomes ‘Daron said this’, you know what I mean? I’m trying to be really careful with my words. But I felt pressure, because I was like… it’s very tough time to explain for me.”

With that being said, Malakian did express satisfaction about the band’s current discography:

“I’m proud of the records. I don’t live with any regret of anything like that. But it would have been nice to see where the band would have evolved if we kept putting music out. If we put out an album now, it’s just so far away from [“Hypnotize‘/”Mezmerize‘], it doesn’t continue the story to me.”

He also added the following when Rubin asked about the possibility of a “new story”:

“There was a time that that might have been something I wanted. I’m not sure how much I want that anymore — I’m sure people won’t be too happy to hear that from me. I’m not at the same place I was maybe 10 years ago.”

[via The PRP]