Why you should give a fuck about System of a Down reforming

System Of A Down have just been confirmed for download festival 2011, wondering why you should give a fuck? Here’s an article written last year when the speculation was flying that they would headline the festival in 2010 that tells you exactly why.

System of a Down are unique in the world of rock, metal and alternative music. No-one sounds like them, and any imitators would sound rediculous if they tried. At times they are hugely over the top, but it does not detract from them. How many bands could get away with lyrics like “My cock is much bigger than yours?” and yet still be taken seriously (selling millions of albums in the process).

System hit the big time during the rise of Nu-Metal in the late 90’s & early 2000’s, yet they can hardly be labelled Nu-metal and lumped in with the likes of KoRn and Disturbed. Their appeal has stretched far beyond the realms of Nu-metal or even metal in general.

People who like nothing heavier than indie music would often like System of A Down for their craziness and the fact they were (and are) so different from every other band going at the time. Toxicity debuted at number 1 on both the American Billboard 200 and the Canadian Charts (amongst others) being certified multi-platinum, with the band having sold over 20 million copies worldwide.

In addition to being one of the most celebrated alternative groups of their generation in terms of their albums and recorded works, System of a Down also boast a reputation for putting on a fearsome live show. A couple of their UK live performances in particular are very memorable. Their set at the Reading Festival in 2003, as direct support to headliners Metallica was one of the most brutal 75 minute sets seen at Reading in the history of the festival, leading your fantastic author to collapse out cold on one of my friends heads at the end of it. Not content with causing the swirling dust clouds of chaos at Reading, 2 years later they were to go one better.

System of a Down’s headlining, festival closing set at the Download Festival in 2005 was the perfect end to 3 quality days of alternative and metal mayhem, having boasted a fantastic 2 1/2 hour show from Black Sabbath on the Ozzfest Saturday, and brutal performances from Slayer and Slipknot (amongst others) on the Sunday prior to S.O.A.D’s set. 75,000 people enjoyed a near 2 hour headlining from the Armenian quartet, performing all the classics such as Chop Suey, Aeriels, Toxcity, Sugar and various songs from their 2005 album double header Mezmerize and (the then forthcoming) Hypnotize. It left everyone wanting more.

Unfortunately, since then, more has not been forthcoming. In May 2006 the band went on hiatus, with the members of the band focusing on different projects (namely Scars On Broadway and Serj’s solo project). They have always insisted that they would return when the time was right, after “a substantial break”. Evidence appears to be surfacing that the break may nearly be over.

First we saw a lonely message on SoadOffical “Stay tuned for 2010?. then we had a call to action “Tell your friends about @systemofadown twitter page then the confirmation from Bassist Shavo Odadjian “@officialsHaVo: Are you ready for System”.

When will the comeback occur? Will they revisit the scenes of former glory? Will they again headline at Donington, “The spiritual home of rock”?

Stay tuned.