System of a Down vocalist Serj Tankian spoke about the band's current state and their two latest released songs.
As reported, the tracks are titled “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz.” They mark the group’s first new material in 15 years. According to the press release, the band was “motivated by the recently erupted conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, the latter aided by Turkey and responsible for the worst violence the region has suffered in 26 years.”
Serj Tankian commented on the current state of the band. “I’m very proud of the work we’ve done with System of a Down, and it gives me hope that one day we can get back together and do something together again.”
He also mentions that SOAD was able to come together, despite their philosophies and creative differences, because of their willingness to use music as a weapon for truth. By setting aside their individual egos, they were able to work together.
The musician also spoke about the last two tracks:
"Honestly, I am extremely proud that we are coming together for our people and for the cause. This is a time when Azerbaijan and Turkey have not only attacked Armenians in Artsakh with military equipment, but have also attacked the Armenian nation with disinformation around the world, using caviar diplomacy over the years."
Azerbaijan bought off many politicians, and they tried to create a false parody in journalism and the media; they succeeded for a while.
So, I'm proud to say that our music is being released, especially the video for 'Protect the Land'. I really kind of absorbed it all in one day. A kind of boom, letting the world know that these are people living on their own indigenous lands who are being attacked. They're trying to protect their families and they're dying because you have NATO's second biggest ally, Turkey, basically attacking them along with Azerbaijan. Both dictatorships attacking a progressive democracy, a Christian nation society.
People didn't know. The press didn't talk much about it. Investigative journalism has suffered a lot since the consolidation of the media in the 80s. It became inconsistent, or the kind where one person prints something and everyone believes it immediately. What happened to the days when people actually investigated?
This wouldn't happen in a time of true investigative journalism. And so, we had to fight against that, and we did so successfully with the songs. And also, obviously, we not only raised awareness but raised funds for humanitarian aid, and we raised quite a bit of money.
We are basically donating through the Armenia Fund. It's a non-profit organization in Armenia that goes to three different non-profit organizations. They deal with fitting soldiers with prosthetics because of drone strikes that caused the loss of limbs. Additionally, they help fire victims with laser therapy for burns caused by white phosphorus, a banned weapon that was used by Azerbaijan against Armenians.”
