System of a Down Releases Two New Songs

System of a Down has released new music for the first time in 15 years with two new songs. The band broke their longtime radio silence to show solidarity for Armenia, who has been at war with Azerbaijan since September 27th, they explain.

“We as System Of A Down have just released new music for the first time in 15 years. The time to do this is now, as together, the four of us have something extremely important to say as a unified voice,” they wrote on their website. “These two songs, ‘Protect The Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz’ both speak of a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of Artsakh and Armenia.”

Although the members of System have been at odds with each other for some time, a group text from drummer John Dolmayan brought them together to cut the two songs. “Protect the Land” was penned by guitarist Daron Malakian for his other band Scars on Broadway, but perfectly suited the situation and the feelings of the group. It’s anchored by the heavy bass work of Shavo Odadjian, who also directed the music video that features Armenians in Los Angeles and clips from the war’s frontlines.

““I brought in everyone from every age,” he told Rolling Stone. “We have babies, my two sons, the high priest of L.A., doctors, cab drivers, and soldiers in the video. At the same time, we have people in Armenia in Artsakh filming on the frontlines of the war going on. So the message is, ‘I know we’re thousands of miles away, but we stand with our troops and we stand for this one common cause as Armenians.’”

Both songs are available now on digital platforms, but the band is asking fans to purchase them through Bandcamp. Those proceeds as well as pre-orders of new merch “will be used to provide crucial, desperately needed aid and basic supplies for those affected by these hideous acts. Please consider the opportunity to download these songs as an act of charity irrespective of how you choose to listen to them today, tomorrow and for years to come.”