System Of A Down guitarist Daron Malakian recently shared his perspective on the nu-metal scene and his band’s place within it. His comments were reported by Louder Sound.
Malakian reflected on how System Of A Down benefited from the nu-metal movement while maintaining their unique identity within the genre.
“We were lucky that there was a scene,” Malakian said. “We were able to play, and play in front of audiences that came to see those other bands.”
“But I don’t think anybody sounds like we did,” he continued. “I don’t think we felt like we didn’t belong and I don’t feel like we did belong.”
The guitarist acknowledged the complexity of genre classifications. He explained how his band found themselves categorized within nu-metal despite their distinctive approach.
“But there’s so many f*cking genres and then there are subgenres of the subgenre, it just gets lost,” Malakian explained. “System Of A Down and Scars, that’s what I do. I don’t look at what other bands are doing and say, ‘Well, I’ve got to do that to fit in with those guys.’ But for some reason we fit into that whole [nu metal] thing. That’s just the time that we existed.”
Malakian praised the originality of the pioneering nu-metal bands. He distinguished them from later imitators.
“I’ll say one thing about the original nu metal bands – Deftones, Korn, all the ones that were the first, and add us to that list – they were all doing something unique,” he said.
“We were all the kids that grew up listening to Metallica and Slayer, all that f*cking thrash stuff, but we weren’t copying it,” Malakian added. “We were taking that influence and we were bringing in other things, other influences, and creating something new with that heavy sound.”
He concluded with a clear distinction between original bands and those that followed.
“All those copy bands, I don’t give a shit about any of them,” Malakian stated. “The ones that came out and started their own thing and did their own thing, those bands deserve credit.”
Malakian’s comments highlight the broader context of System Of A Down’s unique position within the nu-metal landscape. They also showcase their distinctive musical approach that set them apart from their contemporaries.
Wikipedia noted that nu-metal as a genre typically emphasizes rhythmic riffs and down-tuned guitars. System Of A Down incorporated diverse musical influences including Middle Eastern, Armenian, Greek, and jazz elements that distinguished them from the standard nu-metal formula. This eclectic approach to songwriting helped establish their reputation as innovators rather than followers within the scene.
The band’s commitment to originality extended beyond their musical style into their lyrical content and activism. Eyesore Merch reported that System Of A Down used their platform to raise awareness about serious issues, notably the Armenian Genocide. They integrated political activism into their art in a way that was bold and uncommon among their nu-metal contemporaries.
This unique combination of musical diversity and social consciousness reinforced their status as outsiders within the nu-metal movement. Loudwire highlighted that their ability to blend heavy metal with unconventional influences and meaningful messages contributed significantly to their enduring popularity and critical acclaim.
The band’s approach to creativity and authenticity continues to influence musicians today. It demonstrates that success in heavy music doesn’t require conforming to established genre conventions. Their legacy serves as validation of Malakian’s philosophy that original bands deserve recognition over those who simply copy existing formulas.
