System of A Down bassist, Shavo Odadjian posted statements via social media, blaming frontman Serj Tankian as the cause for delays on the SOAD new album. Fans have been pressing the group for a new album since their return from hiatus in 2011.

The latest news from the System Of A Down camp is not about the release of their upcoming album, but instead rumors of internal problems between SOAD band members. After bassist Shavo Odadjian posted a series of rants on his personal Facebook page about lead singer Serj Tankian, fans and spectators have been left wondering the direction of the group. The last album released by SOAD was the “Mesmerize/Hypnotize” double album in 2005. The band went on hiatus the following year, pursuing solo projects and outside musical ventures. Since reuniting in 2011 for touring, SOAD has been facing pressure from fans to release new music, having only performed one North American show in 2013 and touring in Europe for the summer music festivals. Shavo Odadjian decided to directly respond to fans and air-out some dirty laundry within the group. In a series of seemingly exasperated posts, here is what Odadjian had to say about SOAD and frontman Tankian:

ok….. Ill come clean.. Its not us(meaning Daron,John Or Shavo!! Its Sej, who doesn’ want to do a new album!!!! so please stop harassing us about it!!! We are just waiting for SERJ! Now He might hate me for exposing the truth but i Had too.. Sorry folks!!! we’re trying to get a new album out, its just not passing Serj’s RULES! . Kinda funny, since we started the band and now he’s holding us back!! I think we should should release another album again??? As for me.. I’m ready to release one with someone who wants to be the singer of SYSTEM. not soeome we have to beg to be a part of SYSTEM!! So with that in mind, what do you guys w should do? Just remember, Hes been holding us back for 7 years so far.. wanna wait another $-5 years? or shall we release a record without Serj? u tell us?????

I dont want to make a record without him… but if he’s not down? should the 3 of us just sit and wait?? Not cool!!!!!!!! i want the fans from all over the world including Brazil to tell us what they think.

System? or System with with a new singer whos just as good if not better? PLUS new System songs and tours???? please give me ur opinion people!!! is SYSTEM better with no singer or someone who is excited to be our new singer?? you decide.. cause im confused!!!

“no diss to Serj.. If he wants to be in the band then he’s welcome but if he’s not? what do you expect us 3 to do.?? we really want anorther System Record! wish Serj was down but if hes not, then im going ahead and making a System record without him!!! im furious that he let us down like this, but we gotta do something to keep this great band alive!!! agreed????????

In response to these candid and emotional statements made by Shavo, the System Of A Down official Facebook page posted a response statement, with a strong focus on damage control and misrepresentation of the group as a whole:

Earlier today, Shavo posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of System Of A Down as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone. To be clear, the full band lineup of Serj, Daron, Shavo and John will be performing all scheduled tour dates. With respect to new SOAD music, although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans.

For fans who have been eagerly waiting for the release of new material from SOAD, this has caused a viral backlash of negative feedback. While there is a clear rift of some kind, ultimately everyone wants to know when the new album will come out and if System Of A Down will remain together.