System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian Currently More Interested In Writing Instrumentals Than Vocals

System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian is no longer interested in writing vocal parts. Tankian has spent recent years working on several projects away from the band including composing the scores for films such as The Last Inhabitant, 1915 and Furious.

In a recent interview with Expert Magazine, Tankian admits he’s more focused on writing instrumental pieces and is staying away from the type of music fans know him from. 

The two new film scores by Tankian are called “Intent To Destroy,” which was released digitally via iTunes and Apple on November 17, while the second, was for a movie titled “Furious: The Legend Of Kolovrat,” will arrive digitally on December 8.

Tankian was asked by the Expert magazine if he finds it hard, as an outstanding singer, to write scores without vocals. “Screw vocals,” he responded. “I’m tired of it.” He continued. “During a conversation with a friend yesterday I came up with an idea: before we started making music, I was mainly known as a poet and vocalist. I wrote poetry every day. It was what I did constantly, what made me release two poetry books. In fact, I came to music from words. I wrote so many lyrics that it stopped to be interesting. Not because there is nothing I want to talk or sing about. Sure there are topics I don’t want to write lyrics to but at least I can pull out some new emotions out of it. Poetry is always something that opens yourself up and supports self-determination, I just did it for too long. Now I am more interested in writing instrumental pieces of music.”

There is a more in-depth version of the interview posted via Facebook for those who want to read more.

System Of A Down has not released new music since 2006 since their fifth album Hypnotize, and for fans, it’s heartbreaking. Rumors have been going around that Tankian is the reason for the holdout on a new album by the band. The other members spoke out late last year that there at least 15 new songs are written and ready to go. Since then, interviews have been less hopeful. With Tankian’s new workload and solo albums and live sets in his back pocket, there doesn’t seem like it will be happening.