In a bid to address ongoing questions about a potential reunion, Serj Tankian has released his memoir, Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts), shedding light on the complexities behind System of a Down’s hiatus since their 2005 album, Hypnotize.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Tankian reflected on both the band’s achievements and challenges, expressing hope that the memoir will quell incessant inquiries regarding their return. “I shared a lot of stuff just so we wouldn’t be discussing it ad nauseum in the press,” he explained. “This is what happened, and I take responsibility for my own deficiencies. I hope everyone does the same, in a truthful but respectful manner.”
Despite his candidness, Tankian emphasized that there is “no magic solution” for moving forward as a band. “We will see if that is something that happens,” he said, hinting at a glimmer of hope for fans. “If everyone’s on the same page, there’s really nothing else to tell.”
The singer also mentioned that much of the writing process involved creating more material than ultimately published. “There was a lot more writing than was published,” he joked, adding that the creative process often involves “throwing everything at the wall” and then refining it to form a cohesive body of work.
While acknowledging that several stories were cut from the final draft, Tankian stated, “My conscience is clear in the sense that I shared the stories that were valid. I shared the stories that needed to be told, that had importance to my life, my history, my ethics, and principles.”
With this memoir, Tankian aims to provide clarity and closure on the subject, while leaving the door open for future possibilities within System of a Down.
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