Serj Tankian says he ‘emotionally checked out” during final System of a Down albums

nme.com:

Serj Tankian has recalled his time working on the last two System Of A Down albums, and said that he “emotionally checked out” during the recording process.The iconic metal band – which also includes Daron Malakian; Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan – haven’t put out an album since their two 2005 releases: ‘Mezmerize’ and ‘Hypnotize’.Now, the frontman has recalled his mindset while working on the releases and explained how it led to an extended hiatus between 2006 and 2011 in a new interview with Metal Hammer.“I had a very unique relationship with the last few records because I had, to a certain degree, emotionally checked out of the band while making them,” he said.“Because of the push and pull, I became very passive.

There was music I wanted to bring in that I felt like I couldn’t… I was in a weird place. I contributed creatively, but I didn’t… I don’t know.

I needed oxygen – I felt like there was too much going on.”He continued: “I still think those songs are great. But when I think back on it, I also remember that it was a weird phase of my life, and that’s something I have to be aware of as well.”This isn’t the first time that the singer has admitted losing interest in the band during that period.

He has made similar comments in interviews in the past, as well as addressed the topic in his recent autobiography Down With The System.While the band haven’t shared a full album since 2005, they did share two singles – ‘Protect The Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz’ – in 2020.