Drummer from System Of A Down Proposes New Songwriting Approach for Potential Album
In a recent podcast on July 29th, John Dolmayan, the drummer for System Of A Down, proposed a new approach to the band’s songwriting process for their potential upcoming album, marking their first release in twenty years. Departing from their usual method where guitarist Daron Malakian takes the lead with finished songs, Dolmayan suggested a different strategy. He recommended that vocalist Serj Tankian and bassist Shavo Odadjian take the reins initially, in the hopes of igniting fresh creativity within the band. Dolmayan expressed his perspective during an interview with Sona Oganesyan on YouTube, stating, “I told Daron the secret sauce of how to get an album done… Bring your songs in last.” He elaborated on this idea by emphasizing the importance of each member’s contributions, highlighting Malakian’s songwriting abilities, Tankian’s lyrical prowess, and Odadjian’s unique bass sound.
Since their last complete album release, “Hypnotize,” in 2005, System Of A Down has only unveiled two tracks, “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz,” in 2020. As they gear up for major performances across North America in late 2025, Malakian expressed some uncertainty regarding the creation of new songs. He acknowledged that the band’s evolution following continuous album releases would have been intriguing, but he also noted the potential vast differences between their previous albums like “Mezmerize” and “Hypnotize” and any new material.
Despite the band’s collective focus on individual projects, including recent music releases from Odadjian, Tankian, and Malakian, Dolmayan presented a plan for 2027. He proposed a concentrated six-month period allocated for working on a new album at a member’s personal studio. Dolmayan stressed the necessity of embracing a novel creative process within the group to enhance collaboration and innovation among the bandmates.
While System Of A Down remains active and engaged in separate artistic endeavors, the prospect of a fresh album on the horizon has sparked anticipation among fans eager to witness the band’s new approach to songwriting and music creation. Dolmayan’s initiative to reshape their traditional methods could potentially lead to an innovative and compelling new record that showcases the diverse talents and contributions of each band member. As they navigate through the complexities and challenges of crafting new songs, the band’s unwavering creativity and dedication to their craft continue to drive their musical journey forward.