Scars on Broadway is an American rock band founded by System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian with a debut album releasing in the Summer of 2008. Later in the year, however, the band quickly entered hiatus status due to Malakian admitting that his heart just wasn’t in it. In 2010 the band reformed and, again, in 2012 with the announcement of a second album. Unfortunately, in 2013, the band ceased in making any more announcements. Five years later in April 2018, Malakian announced that Scars on Broadway will release their second album Dictator.

Today, in a recent press release, Malakian has announced that the band has released their first single off the album, also called “Dictator.” Listen to the song below.

The song features a guitar line very similar to the older works of System of A Down, but with more emphasis on metal guitar. The bass-line, though, is what really drives the piece with its heavy two-note use that brings to image a badass motorcyclist taking revenge on his family in a series of gritty montages. About half-way through the song breaks down and quickly changes course as the vocals enter heavy metal territory for a little before returning the smooth music of the chorus. Once more the chorus comes in, this time mixed with the metal vocals of the post-break. Quickly the song ends and Malakian leaves us with a melodic growl. Get instant downloads of both “Dictator” and “Lives” when you pre-order the album now.

The entirety of the album was written, recorded, and produced solely by Malakian, with the multi-instrumentalist playing every part on the new collection.

Recently, Scars on Broadway and System of a Down have released an announcement of a joint tour, a first in three years. The tour will kick off at their Aftershock slots in October with more shows following.

photo credit: Raymond Flotat