Vault-digging, genre-hopping, experimental. 

Serj Tankian, the visionary frontman of System of a Down, has unveiled Covers, Collaborations & Collages, a new collection released Oct. 24, 2025, through his own Serjical Strike Records in partnership with Create Music Group. The album compiles unreleased material, rare collaborations and inventive covers, a testament to the artist’s restless creativity.

The album’s rollout was unconventional. Beginning Aug. 22, Tankian released a new track each week leading up to the full 10-song collection, a move that underscored the record’s eclectic spirit. Loaded Radio reported that the first single, “Electric Dreams,” was written and recorded more than 20 years ago, highlighting the archival depth of the project.

From acoustic ballads to electronic experiments, Covers, Collaborations & Collages moves across genres. Critics have described the work as “deeply personal and eclectic” and full of “powerful reinterpretations and remarkable collaborations,” according to The Music Universe. From a different perspective some general listeners may find some songs no to their liking.

“Electric Dreams,” a subdued opener, features what Revolver called “iridescent and occasionally eerie arpeggios,” with Tankian’s voice shifting between intimate whispers and soaring cries. The song establishes the album’s reflective tone and dreamlike quality.

“A Seed,” featuring electronic producer Deadmau5, offers a sharp contrast. Built on piano, synths and spoken-word passages, it channels what Revolver described as a “hypnotic, rhythmic meditation.” Tankian said the collaboration grew from a track Deadmau5 sent him “a few summers ago,” to which he added lyrics from his poetry collection Cool Gardens.

Other collaborations expand the album’s emotional range. “Things Unspoken,” with New Zealand singer Bic Runga, blends delicate harmonies with chamber pop textures. “Kneeling Away From the Sun,” featuring guitarist D.S. Bradford, infuses art-rock flair and cinematic guitar work. Composer Lucas Vidal contributes to “Apocalyptical Dance,” an orchestral piece described by Grande Rock as “a scene of the devolution of civilization,” underscored by Tankian’s haunting lyric, “There are no more empires, just burning campfires.”

His rendition of Chris de Burgh’s “I’m Counting On You” reimagines the song through a darker emotional lens, while “When Death Arrives,” an adaptation of Armenian songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan’s piece, offers a somber reflection on mortality. NME described the latter as a “poignant reminder of the reality of our mortality.”

Because the songs were created over many years and contexts, the record lacks a conventional cohesion. Instead, it operates as an intentional collage, capturing fragments of Tankian’s creative evolution. The result is more of a museum exhibit than rock album — a curated display of sonic experimentation, collaboration and self-reflection.

The early reception has been divided. Revolver praised “Electric Dreams” as a “hypnotic new song,” while some fans on Reddit criticized the record’s uneven tone. Still, others see the release as a bold statement. For an artist known for his fusion of metal, orchestral music and activism, Covers, Collaborations & Collages reflects Tankian’s enduring refusal to be confined by expectations.

Covers, Collaborations & Collages stands as a genre-hopping exploration of artistry and memory. It’s neither a straightforward rock record nor a greatest-hits collection, but a panoramic look at Tankian’s multifaceted identity. For some, its diversity will feel scattered; for others, it’s a testament to the boundless reach of an artist still evolving after more than two decades at the edge of modern music.