Daron Malakian recently opened up about his creative contributions to System of a Down. He made bold claims about his role in the band’s songwriting process during an interview on Talk Is Jericho.
Malakian discussed his latest Scars on Broadway album ‘Addicted to the Violence.’ He addressed comparisons between his current project and his former band.
“When people compare Scars to System, you’re going to hear the System DNA,” Malakian said. “I wrote a huge… 90, 95 percent of the System stuff, vocals included. I mean, I wrote vocals, guitars arrangements in System.”
The guitarist and songwriter also reflected on the musical direction of both projects.
“But… Scars kind of leans more into rock direction, and it always kind of has,” he continued. “I don’t know if that’s because my writing kind of went into that direction. I don’t know if we continued to do System, would System have gone into more of a rock direction?”
Malakian emphasized the unique chemistry between him and System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian.
“You’re not going to get System of a Down from anywhere else,” he explained. “Like, I have a certain style of writing. Serge is a certain type of frontman. I’m a certain type of singer myself. You know, we both have a style that complements [each other]. I don’t know, it’s just what we do. And if you like it… I mean, some people really love it, and some people fucking hate it. [But] it’s us.”
These revelations come as Malakian continues to pursue his creative vision through his solo project. The project has experienced its own journey of evolution and intermittent activity over the years.
Wikipedia reported that Malakian’s solo venture has maintained an on-and-off relationship with the music industry since its inception. The band initially released a self-titled debut album in 2008. It went on hiatus multiple times, citing a lack of enthusiasm for touring. After reformations and lineup changes, their second album ‘Dictator’ was released in 2018. This was followed by ‘Addicted to the Violence’ in 2025.
The creative process behind Scars on Broadway showcases Malakian’s multi-instrumental talents. Wikipedia noted that the debut album involved Malakian deeply in the creative process. He performed multiple instruments alongside his vocals. This highlighted his role as both a multi-instrumentalist and producer for his projects.
This hands-on approach to music creation reflects the same creative control Malakian claims to have exercised during his time with System of a Down. His assertion of writing 95 percent of the band’s material, including vocals, provides new insight into the internal dynamics of one of metal’s most successful acts.
The ongoing evolution of Malakian’s sound through Scars on Broadway demonstrates his commitment to exploring different musical territories. He maintains the distinctive elements that made System of a Down so influential in the metal genre.
The comments provide insight into the creative dynamics of one of metal’s most influential bands. They shed light on the artistic tensions that may have contributed to System of a Down’s extended hiatus from new material.
