System of a Down is an American metal band. They started in 1995 in Los Angeles, California with four members of Armenian descent, Serj Tankian (lead singer, born August 21, 1967), Daron Malakian (lead guitar, singer, born July 18, 1975), Shavo Odadjian (bass, background singer, born April 22, 1974) and drummer Andy Khachaturian (but was replaced with John Dolmayan). 

The band has five albums:
 System of a Down (1998)
 Toxicity (2001)
 Steal This Album! (2002)
 Mezmerize (2005)
 Hypnotize (2005).

The band became successful with popular songs like "Sugar", "Spiders", "Chop Suey!", "Toxicity", "Aerials", "B.Y.O.B.", "Question!", "Hypnotize", and "Lonely Day".

After the release of MEZMERIZE/Hypnotize, System of a Down went on a break, but they say they have not broken up.

Often described as very angry, Khachaturian was unhappy about his place as drummer, and wanted to lead the band. He left the band and the drummer from the band, "Friik", John Dolmayan, joined the band.

Early days 
Serj, Daron, and Shavo, went to the same school, Alex Pilibos School for Armenian Americans in Los Angeles, when they were young. 

In 1995, they made their first demo tape, and had the songs: "Suite-Pee", "Sugar", "Dam", and "P.L.U.C.K.(Politically Lying Unholy Cowardly Killers)". In 1996, another demo tape was released with the songs: Soil, and two songs that were not on the first album, "Honey" and "Temper". They made another demo tape, and this was the one that got them put on the record label. The producer, Rick Rubin, had tried to sign up the band several times before they agreed.

First album 
In 1997, SOAD teamed up with Rubin and produced their first studio album. In 1998, System of a Down was released. This album was not as popular as the next album, but it made people aware of who and what System of a Down stood for.

Their next album, Toxicity, made in 2001, had their first UK top 20 single "Chop Suey". This album explores a more melodic side of metal music. It is also political; for example the opening track: "Prison Song" which has Serj speaking the lines.

Double album 
In May 2005, the band released part one of a double album, Mezmerize. It was more melodic than before, and included "B.Y.O.B" (Bring Your Own Bombs), and "Lost in Hollywood" - a song based on Daron's childhood about growing up in Hollywood, which he did not think was very glamorous.

Months later, the second part of the double album, Hypnotize, was released. This was the same sort of style because they were recorded at the same time.

Taking a break 
In 2006, the band decided that they were going to have a break for a little while. They said they were going to come back together in a few years. After 10 years together, they each wanted to do different things for a while. There were rumors of them returning in 2011. In July 2010, Dolmayan said in an interview that the band would probably tour in 2011.

Band members 
Current lineup
 Serj Tankian – vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar (1994–2006, 2010–present)
 Daron Malakian – lead guitar, vocals (1994–2006, 2010–present)
 Shavo Odadjian – bass, backing vocals (1994–2006, 2010–present)
 John Dolmayan – drums, percussion (1997–2006, 2010–present)

Former
 Andy Khachaturian – drums (1994–1997)

Timeline

Discography
Studio albums
 System of a Down (June 30, 1998)
 Toxicity (September 4, 2001)
 Mezmerize (May 17, 2005)
 Hypnotize (November 22, 2005)

Related pages
 John Heartfield

References

American heavy metal bands
Grammy Award winners
Alternative metal bands
Musical groups from Los Angeles