Fans have been waiting since 2005 for a new record from System Of A Down. According to NME, Daron Malakian from the group shared a recent update on the band’s long-awaited new album. In late of last year, it was revealed by bassist Shavo Odadjian that Serj Tankian-led rockers were working on “material that tops everything we’ve done.” At this time Daron was claiming that the band went on a hiatus because of Tankian. In an interview he explained Tankian had lost interest in making heavy rock music and basically had to be begged to complete the double-album. Tankian admitted to being the main reason for the group’s hiatus in 2006. At the time he stated that the band would be putting a hold on future projects for the time being. Instead, Tankian went on to start recording music for a solo project in order to make a sound of his own. 

Well, the time has come, and now, Tankian says that he “couldn’t wait to record” the upcoming album that follows Hypnotize and Mezmerize.

Singer and songwriter Malakian revealed last month that Odadjian was in fact referring to material he’s “been sitting and trying to figure out,” while claiming that the LP isn’t “happening anytime soon.” “We tend to have different ways of wanting to do things,” he said about the band’s working relationship nowadays.

In a new interview with Talk Is Jericho Malakian says Tankian is the reason for the various hold-ups. “System had a certain way of putting together the albums and the music, and I guess that was me writing and all that, and producing the records, along with Rick [Rubin],” said Malakian.

“And Serj wants to do things a different way. And it’s not just me — it’s kind of three of us that don’t necessarily see eye to eye with where he would wanna take the band.”

He also added: So that’s kind of where we’re at. A lot of people think it’s just between me and him, and that’s not really the case.”

Malakian explained: “In our case, that’s the truth. It really is a creative-difference type of thing where a few of us wanna take the band and where someone wants to take the band in another way.” “When it comes to happy holidays, Easters, birthdays, we’re all still cool, we all consider each other like a family.”

Photo Credit: Mauricio Alvarado