System Of A Down have not released a new album since 2005. In the time that has passed since that time UTG was born, over a dozen writers for the site graduated college, and the face of mainstream rock has completely changed at least three times over. Still, even with all that has happened, fans of SOAD continue to ask the band for new material and until now they have received almost nothing in the form of a response.

Taking to Facebook recently, System Of A Down bassist Shavo Odadjian blamed the lack of new music on frontman Serj Tankian and suggested the band considers completing a new album without him (as long as fans are on board, of course). His post reads:

“OK, I’ll come clean. It’s not us (meaning Daron, John Or Shavo!) Its Serj, who doesn’t want to do a new album! So please stop harassing us about it!…We are just waiting for Serj. Now, he might hate me for exposing the truth but I had to. Sorry folks! We’re trying to get a new album out, it’s just not passing Serj’s rules! Kinda funny, since we started the band and now he’s holding us back! I think we should should release another album again. As for me, I’m ready to release one with someone who wants to be the singer of System. Not someone we have to beg to be a part of System. So with that in mind, what do you guys [think we] should do? Just remember, he’s been holding us back for seven years so far. Wanna wait another five years? Or shall we release a record without Serj? You tell us? I’m furious that he let us down like this, but we gotta do something to keep this great band alive! agreed?”

Fans were quick to comment on the post, but it was eventually taken down. Shavo did not directly comment as to why he removed the post, but a message released by the additional members of the band may offer some insight. Their post, which went live Monday evening, reads:

“Earlier today, Shavo posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of System Of A Down as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone. To be clear, the full band lineup of Serj, Daron, Shavo and John will be performing all scheduled tour dates. With respect to new SOAD music, although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans.”

Would you support a new album from System Of A Down without Serj as the frontman? Comment below and let us know your thoughts on this still-developing story.

• Author
• Recent Posts

James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

Latest posts by James Shotwell (see all)

• 2015’s Most Underrated Films - December 29, 2015
• Passing The Torch: The End Of An Era For UTG - December 1, 2015
• UTG PREMIERE: Before The Streetlights – “Private Browser” - November 26, 2015