Editing System of a Down (section)

=== Reunion and touring (2010–2020) ===
On November 29, 2010, following several weeks of Internet rumors, System of a Down officially announced that they would be reuniting for a string of large European festival dates in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Karan |first=Tim |title=System Of A Down to reunite, headline Download Festival |work=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]] |date=November 29, 2010 |url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/system_of_a_down_to_reunite_co-headline_download_festival_with_avenged_seve/ |access-date=November 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001082758/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/system_of_a_down_to_reunite_co-headline_download_festival_with_avenged_seve/ |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Among the announced tour dates included UK's [[Download Festival]], Switzerland's [[Greenfield Festival]], Germany's [[Rock am Ring and Rock im Park|Rock am Ring/Rock im Park]], Sweden's [[Metaltown]], Austria's [[Nova Rock Festival]] and Finland's [[Provinssirock]]. [[System of a Down Reunion Tour|The reunion tour]] commenced on May 10, 2011, in [[Edmonton]], Alberta.<ref>{{cite web |author=ChartAttack Staff |title=System Of A Down Announce North American Dates With Gogol Bordello |work=[[ChartAttack]] |date=March 1, 2011 |url=http://www.chartattack.com/news/2011/mar/01/system-of-a-down-announce-north-american-dates-with-gogol-bordello |access-date=March 3, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304160450/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2011/mar/01/system-of-a-down-announce-north-american-dates-with-gogol-bordello |archive-date=March 4, 2011  }}</ref> System's first tour through Mexico and South America began on September 28, 2011, in [[Mexico City]], ending in [[Santiago]], Chile on October 7, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.systemofadown.com/#tour|title=System Of A Down|website=Systemofadown.com|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101060216/http://systemofadown.com/#tour|archive-date=January 1, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> From late February to early March 2012, they headlined five dates at [[Soundwave (Australian music festival)|Soundwave]] festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=Soundwave Festival 2012 |publisher=Soundwavefestival.com |url=http://www.soundwavefestival.com/ |access-date=October 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100812091522/http://www.soundwavefestival.com/ |archive-date=August 12, 2010  }}</ref> The band have continued playing around the world. On August 11 and 12, 2012, they played the [[Heavy MTL]] and [[Heavy T.O.]] music festivals in Montreal and Toronto respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/News/heavy_to_heavy_mtl_return_with_system_of_down_slipknot_marilyn_manson_cancer_bats_high_on_fire|title=Heavy TO and Heavy MTL Return with System of a Down, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Cancer Bats, High on Fire|website=exclaim.ca|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728212910/http://exclaim.ca/News/heavy_to_heavy_mtl_return_with_system_of_down_slipknot_marilyn_manson_cancer_bats_high_on_fire|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2013, System of a Down played at the UK's [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]], among other festivals and venues that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.readingfestival.com/news/system-down-fall-out-boy-foals-and-more-confirmed-2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609192744/http://www.readingfestival.com/news/system-down-fall-out-boy-foals-and-more-confirmed-2013|url-status=dead|title=System Of A Down, Fall Out Boy, Foals and more confirmed for 2013!|archive-date=June 9, 2013|access-date=December 1, 2020}}</ref>

System of a Down played their only 2013 U.S. performance at the Hollywood Bowl on July 29; tickets sold out hours after going on sale on March 22. On November 23, 2014, System of a Down announced the [[Wake Up The Souls Tour]] to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the [[Armenian genocide]]. The tour included a free concert in Republic Square in [[Yerevan]], Armenia, on April 23, 2015, their first show in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |url=http://consequence.net/2014/11/system-of-a-down-reunite-for-wake-up-the-souls-tour/ |title=System of a Down reunite for "Wake Up the Souls" tour |publisher=Consequence.net |date=November 25, 2014 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927050020/https://consequence.net/2014/11/system-of-a-down-reunite-for-wake-up-the-souls-tour/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:ShavoBass.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Bassist [[Shavo Odadjian]]]]
In a November 2016 interview with ''[[Kerrang!]]'', drummer John Dolmayan revealed that System of a Down was working on more than a dozen songs for their follow-up to the ''[[Mezmerize]]'' and ''[[Hypnotize (album)|Hypnotize]]'' albums. Although he stated that the band does not know when the album will be released, he added that, "I want everyone on board and feeling good about it. That's what we're trying to accomplish right now. There's a tremendous amount of pressure on us, though, because it's been 11 years—at least 12 by the time it comes out."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.laweekly.com/music/serj-tankian-goes-symphonic-then-its-back-to-system-of-a-down-7567799|author=Kissel, Chris|title=Serj Tankian Goes Symphonic — Then It's Back to System of a Down|newspaper=[[LA Weekly]]|access-date=November 8, 2016|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405115251/https://www.laweekly.com/music/serj-tankian-goes-symphonic-then-its-back-to-system-of-a-down-7567799|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a video Q&A session with fans on July 2, 2017, Shavo Odadjian was asked about the status of the next album and he responded, "I'm waiting for a new album too. It's not happening. I don't know. I don't know when it's gonna be. Not right now."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2017/07/system-of-a-down-bassist-shavo-odadjian-says-a-new-album-is-not-happening/|author=Geslani, Michelle|title=System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian says a new album is "not happening"|date=July 5, 2017|publisher=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=July 5, 2017|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501145127/https://consequence.net/2017/07/system-of-a-down-bassist-shavo-odadjian-says-a-new-album-is-not-happening/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a December 2017 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Serj Tankian said that System of a Down wrote some new material but was uncertain of what to do with it. He then said that he doesn't want to commit to a new album due to the lack of committing to longform touring.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/serj-tankian-on-system-of-a-down-chris-cornell-film-scores-w514439|title=Serj Tankian Talks New Film Scores, Chris Cornell, What's Next For System of a Down|author=Grow, Kory|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=December 20, 2017|archive-date=July 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701194055/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/serj-tankian-on-system-of-a-down-chris-cornell-film-scores-w514439|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Malakian singled Tankian out as the reason no new album had yet been released.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-daron-malakian-frustrating-creative-impasse-with-serj-tankian|author=Wiederhorn, Jon|title=System of a Down's Daron Malakian: Band Remains at Frustrating Creative Impasse With Serj Tankian|magazine=[[Loudwire]]|access-date=July 12, 2018|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613184601/https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-daron-malakian-frustrating-creative-impasse-with-serj-tankian/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tankian detailed his view of the band's past and present conflicts and their overall situation, saying, "As we couldn't see eye to eye on all these points we decided to put aside the idea of a record altogether for the time being."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/serj-tankian-opens-up-about-business-and-creative-differences-that-are-standing-in-way-of-new-system-of-a-down-music/|title=SERJ TANKIAN Opens Up About Business And Creative Differences That Are Standing In Way Of New SYSTEM OF A DOWN Music|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=July 12, 2018|archive-date=July 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713062604/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/serj-tankian-opens-up-about-business-and-creative-differences-that-are-standing-in-way-of-new-system-of-a-down-music/|url-status=live}}</ref> Dolmayan blamed all of the members due to the personal and creative differences that have been preventing them from recording a new studio album.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/system-of-a-down-drummer-says-all-members-of-band-are-to-blame-for-lack-of-new-music/|title=SYSTEM OF A DOWN Drummer Says All Members Of Band Are To Blame For Lack Of New Music|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=July 13, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418062816/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/system-of-a-down-drummer-says-all-members-of-band-are-to-blame-for-lack-of-new-music/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tankian also expressed uncertainty on whether the new album would be made or not but did not rule out the possibility. He went on to describe how he imagined the album sounding: "It's gotta be organic, it's gotta feel right in every way."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2018/08/01/incubus-brandon-boyd-and-system-of-a-downs-serj-tankian-open-up-on-fame-music-touring-and-more/#68be145b494f|title=Incubus' Brandon Boyd And System Of A Down's Serj Tankian Open Up On Fame, Music, Touring And More|author=Baltin, Steve|magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=August 1, 2018|archive-date=August 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802042122/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2018/08/01/incubus-brandon-boyd-and-system-of-a-downs-serj-tankian-open-up-on-fame-music-touring-and-more/#68be145b494f|url-status=live}}</ref>

Odadjian said that the band has material written from "like the last 10, 12 years", but expressed uncertainty on if it would form into a System of a Down album or not. He also said that Malakian and Tankian have visual differences on what the album should sound like, and that the band's inner tension had been building far longer than fans would be aware, despite having love and respect for one another nonetheless.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kroq.radio.com/media/audio-channel/tuesday-october-9th-guest-system-downs-shavo-odadjian|title=Tuesday, October 9th with guest: System of A Down's Shavo Odadjian|publisher=[[KROQ-FM]]|access-date=October 9, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329125437/https://kroq.radio.com/media/audio-channel/tuesday-october-9th-guest-system-downs-shavo-odadjian|url-status=live}}</ref> He would later say that there was no extant conflict between the members, expressing confidence that System of a Down would eventually record a new album and claimed that they have material written that would be their best to date.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2018/12/shavo-odadjian-system-of-a-down-interview-part-1/|author=Kaufman, Spencer|title=System of a Down's Shavo Odadjian: "We Have Material That Tops Everything We've Done"|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418075924/https://consequence.net/2018/12/shavo-odadjian-system-of-a-down-interview-part-1/|url-status=live}}</ref> Tankian denied any talk of the band recording a new album.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/serj-tankian-talks-system-of-a-down-soundtracks-anthony-bourdain-770713/|author=Grow, Kory|title=Serj Tankian on Writing 'Requiem Music,' System of a Down's Creative Stalemate|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=December 20, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614012220/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/serj-tankian-talks-system-of-a-down-soundtracks-anthony-bourdain-770713/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Malakian explained that there was a mixture between the matter of different creative perspectives for the band's hesitation to record a new studio album and the lack of desire to tour. He did not dismiss a possible new album in the more distant future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kroq.radio.com/blogs/stryker-and-klein/daron-malakian-system-down-stryker-and-klein|title=Daron Malakian Talks System Of A Down with Stryker and Klein|author=Stryker and Klein|publisher=[[KROQ-FM]]|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020215012/https://kroq.radio.com/blogs/stryker-and-klein/daron-malakian-system-down-stryker-and-klein|url-status=live}}</ref> He felt that the fans don't care that the band wasn't making an album, "but I think a lot of the fans just want an album." He expressed hopes that the members would get together and record new music but was content with the direction of his band [[Scars on Broadway]], noting the members' good friendship, "But at the same time, I don't see that happening anytime soon that we're all going to get together and make a new System of a Down album."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://consequence.net/2019/04/daron-malakian-scars-on-broadway-system-of-a-down-interview-2019/|author=Kaufman, Spencer|title=Daron Malakian on Scars on Broadway, the State of System of a Down, and More|magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]]|access-date=April 30, 2019|archive-date=May 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501224229/https://consequence.net/2019/04/daron-malakian-scars-on-broadway-system-of-a-down-interview-2019/|url-status=live}}</ref> Malakian said that Tankian and the rest of the band members have been unable to come to an agreement over how to go about making new music, but insisted that there was no negativity between them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://omny.fm/shows/talk-is-jericho/system-of-a-daron-from-chop-suey-to-scars-on-broad|title=System Of A Daron – From Chop Suey to Scars On Broadway – Talk Is Jericho|website=omny.fm|access-date=May 9, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515044157/https://omny.fm/shows/talk-is-jericho/system-of-a-daron-from-chop-suey-to-scars-on-broad|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:JohnDolmayanSitting.jpg|thumb|Drummer [[John Dolmayan]]|left]]
Despite System of a Down's ability to perform live, Odadjian expressed disappointment at their inability to record new music, explaining that there has been new material written by the other members in the form of a possible new album. Without Tankian's presence, no recordings had been made. He questioned why the band still has not made an album, citing creative differences as the problem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/shavo-odadjian-on-possiblity-of-new-music-from-system-of-a-down-why-it-isnt-happening-is-a-big-question/|title=SHAVO ODADJIAN On The {{sic|Possi|blity|nolink=y}} Of New Music From SYSTEM OF A DOWN: 'Why It Isn't Happening Is A Big Question'|work=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=August 13, 2019|access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915183526/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/shavo-odadjian-on-possiblity-of-new-music-from-system-of-a-down-why-it-isnt-happening-is-a-big-question/|url-status=live}}</ref> With the lack of commitment to record new music, Tankian was open to releasing a collection of previously unreleased System of a Down songs from past recording sessions if his bandmates agreed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/serj-tankian-says-he-is-all-for-system-of-a-down-putting-out-previously-unreleased-material/|title=SERJ TANKIAN Says He Is 'All For' SYSTEM OF A DOWN Putting Out Previously Unreleased Material|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=December 10, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915183525/https://blabbermouth.net/news/serj-tankian-says-he-is-all-for-system-of-a-down-putting-out-previously-unreleased-material/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Dolmayan had started in 2014 a Kickstarter to fund a cover project, titled "These Grey Men", alongside friend James Hazley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruno |first=Danielle |date=2014-06-17 |title=System Of A Down drummer crowdfunding side project, These Grey Men {{!}} Metal Insider |url=https://metalinsider.net/crowdfunding/system-of-a-down-drummer-crowdfunding-side-project-these-grey-men |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Metal Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420045158/https://metalinsider.net/crowdfunding/system-of-a-down-drummer-crowdfunding-side-project-these-grey-men |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Annunziata |first=Chris |date=2020-01-21 |title=System of a Down's John Dolmayan and Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows team up in new project These Grey Men {{!}} Metal Insider |url=https://metalinsider.net/video/system-of-a-downs-john-dolmayan-and-avenged-sevenfolds-m-shadows-team-up-in-new-project-these-grey-men |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Metal Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420045215/https://metalinsider.net/video/system-of-a-downs-john-dolmayan-and-avenged-sevenfolds-m-shadows-team-up-in-new-project-these-grey-men |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, he released the first single, a cover of [[Radiohead]]'s "Street Spirit", on January 23.<ref>{{Cite web |title=These Grey Men website |url=https://www.thesegreymen.com/ |access-date=January 25, 2020 |website=THESE GREY MEN |language=en-US |archive-date=January 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125114230/https://www.thesegreymen.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Avenged Sevenfold]] singer [[M. Shadows]] contributes vocals to the track; [[Tom Morello]] contributes the guitar solo at the song's close.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |date=2020-01-23 |title=System of a Down Drummer Covers Radiohead With Tom Morello + M. Shadows |url=https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-drummer-these-grey-men-radiohead-cover-tom-morello-m-shadows/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Loudwire |language=en |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420045200/https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-drummer-these-grey-men-radiohead-cover-tom-morello-m-shadows/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The second single features Tankian in a cover of [[David Bowie]]'s "[[Starman (song)|Starman]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornell |first=Jeff |date=2019-01-09 |title=Serj Tankian, M Shadows Join SOAD Drummer's These Grey Men Album |url=https://loudwire.com/tom-morello-serj-tankian-m-shadows-featured-john-dolmayan-these-grey-men-album/ |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Loudwire |language=en |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420045203/https://loudwire.com/tom-morello-serj-tankian-m-shadows-featured-john-dolmayan-these-grey-men-album/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The album, titled ''These Grey Men'', was released on February 28, 2020.<ref>{{Citation |title=These Grey Men by John Dolmayan, on Apple Music |date=2020-02-28 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/these-grey-men/1494588282 |language=en-US |access-date=2022-04-20 |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104193633/https://music.apple.com/us/album/these-grey-men/1494588282 |url-status=live }}</ref> It consists of covers/reimaginations of other songs by artists such as Radiohead, AFI, Madonna, and Talking Heads, among others.

With the differences concerning the band members, Dolmayan became uncertain in wanting to make new music anymore. Although he did not want to put Tankian and Malakian at fault for the band's inability to record a new album, he said, "It takes four people to make this band, and it takes four people to unmake it. I think that we're all to blame. I could just blame Daron and Serj, because, quite frankly, they're the primary songwriters, so it's easy to blame them. But it's not just their fault. A lot of it is their fault, but it's not just their fault."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/john-dolmayan-is-not-even-sure-he-wants-to-make-a-new-system-of-a-down-album-anymore-its-just-so-much-drama-and-bullst/|title=JOHN DOLMAYAN Is 'Not Even Sure' He Wants To Make A New SYSTEM OF A DOWN Album Anymore: 'It's Just So Much Drama And Bulls**t'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915183526/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/john-dolmayan-is-not-even-sure-he-wants-to-make-a-new-system-of-a-down-album-anymore-its-just-so-much-drama-and-bullst/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview, Dolmayan exclaimed that putting the band on hiatus was a grave mistake: "I never wanted System to take a hiatus. I think it was a disastrous move for us because we never reached our peak." Dolmayan believed that the band could have risen through the charts if they had just kept going.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Drummer Says Hiatus Was a Huge Mistake for SOAD: We Could've Been the Biggest Band in the World|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/drummer_says_hiatus_was_a_huge_mistake_for_soad_we_couldve_been_the_biggest_band_in_the_world.html|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=www.ultimate-guitar.com|language=en|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915183526/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/drummer_says_hiatus_was_a_huge_mistake_for_soad_we_couldve_been_the_biggest_band_in_the_world.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 17, 2020, Serj Tankian announced in a ''Rolling Stone'' interview that he would release an EP by the name of ''Elasticity'' under his own name. Tankian had planned to release the EP in October. Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], he released it in February 2021 instead. In the interview, he explained that the EP contains songs he had written for System of a Down that the band ultimately opted not to record.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=December 17, 2020|title='RS Interview: Special Edition' With Serj Tankian|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/serj-tankian-rs-interview-special-edition-1104974/|access-date=December 19, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614173520/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/serj-tankian-rs-interview-special-edition-1104974/|url-status=live}}</ref>