Made up by: Arepiev Alexandr Teacher: Zvontseva G.M.

In the beginning Band members 1. Serj Tankian Serj Tankian 2. Daron Malakian Daron Malakian 3. Shavarsh Odadjian Shavarsh Odadjian 4. John Dolmayan John Dolmayan Debut album Breakthrough and success Mezmerize / Hypnotize Mezmerize / Hypnotize Hiatus and future of the band Style

In 1993, Two Aspiring Musicians, for the most part unknown (even to the local music scene) would meet by chance at a studio session for their Respective bands. A connection was made immediately, having similar tastes in music, politics and culture. Not soon after, Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian Decided to start a band together, which they named "Soil." In another chance meeting, They came across Shavo Odadjian at the same private Armenian school where they (Serj and Daron) attended. Shavo is asked to manage the band, but instead Proves that He's a capable bassist, and becomes a proper member. The original drummer chosen, Andy Khatchadurian, Was replaced soon after with John Dolmayan, Found through another chance encounter. Back to content

The band felt they needed a different name, something more fit to the type of music they were making. They choose "System Of A Down", which is based on a poem Daron wrote, Ttitled "Victims Of A Down." System of a Down is very politically active and are noted for the liberal political views expressed in their songs, tackling several subjects including the Armenian Genocide, War on Drugs, religion, and censorship. The band is a part of the Axis of Justice, a non-profit organization co-founded by Tankian and fellow musician Tom Morello, dedicated to bringing together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. Back to conte nt

Name - Serj Tankian Birth date - August 21, 1967 Birth Place - Beirut, Lebanon Lives in Los Angeles, California Height cm Marital Status - Not Married Nationality - American [Armenian Ancestry] - New Zealander ** Occupation - Vocals, Songwriter, Composer, Keyboards (System of a Down),Social Activist [Axis of Justice, Amnesty and other organizations] Pre-band Occupation - Information Technology field, Marketing Personal Projects - Serjical Strike Music label, Solo Album "Oct. 23rd 2007' Appearances - Serart, Buckethead & Friends, FTM and others. Risk Factors - Smoking (reported that he did quit), Drugs, Vegetarian Back to content

Name - Daron Vartan Malakian Birth date - July 18, 1975 Birth Place - Hollywood, California, USA Lives in Glendale, California Height cm Marital Status - Not Married Nationality - American [Armenian Ancestry] Occupation - Guitarist, Composer, Songwriter, Vocals (System of a Down) (Scars on Broadway) Personal Projects - EatUrMusic Music label (dropped) / Scars on Broadway Appearances - Bad Acid Trip on the Stage and others Risk Factors - Drugs, Smoking Back to content

Name - Shavarsh S. Odadjian Birth date - April 22, 1974 Birth Place - Yerevan, Armenia Lives inLos Angeles, California Height cm Marital Status - Not Married Nationality - American [Armenian Ancestry] Occupation - Bassist (System of a Down), DJ and Music Videos Director Pre-band Occupation - Banking, DJ Risk Factors - Smoking, Drugs Back to content

Name - John H. Dolmayan Birth date - July 15, 1973 Birth Place - Beirut, Lebanon Lives in Las Vegas Height cm Marital Status - Not Married Nationality - American [Armenian Ancestry] Occupation - Drummer (System of a Down) (Scars on Broadway) Pre-band Occupation - Gas Station clerk, others Back to content

In the summer of 1998 System of a Down released their debut album, System of a Down. They enjoyed moderate success with their first single "Sugar" becoming a radio favorite. After the release of the album, the band toured extensively, opening for Slayer before making their way to the second stage of Ozzfest. Video «War» is forbidden in USA. Back to content

The group's big break arrived when their second album Toxicity debuted at #1 on the American and Canadian charts, eventually achieving multi- platinum certification. The album has since sold 6 million copies worldwide. Back to content

In late 2001, a few unreleased tracks made their way onto the Internet. This tracks were unfinished material. Soon after, the band released the final versions of the songs, which were recorded at the same time, but hadn't been used for Toxicity. The result was Steal This Album!, released in November The cover of Steal This Album! resembled a burnable CD that was marked with a felt-tip marker. The name of the album is a message to those who stole the songs and released them on the Internet. A video for "Boom!" was filmed with director Michael Moore as a protest against the War in Iraq. This video is forbidden in USA. Back to content

From 2004 to 2005, the group produced a double album, Mezmerize / Hypnotize with the two parts released six months apart. The first album, Mezmerize, was released on May 17, It debuted at #1 all around the world, making it System of a Down's second #1 album. The Grammy Award-winning single "B.Y.O.B.", which questions the integrity of military recruiting in America, worked its way up the Billboard Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts. Back to content

The second part of the double album, Hypnotize, was released on November 22, Like Mezmerize, it debuted at #1 in the US, making System of a Down, along with the Beatles, Guns 'N Roses, and rappers 2Pac and DMX, the only artists to ever have two studio albums debut at #1 in the same year. Back to content

In May 2006, the band announced they were going on hiatus. Malakian has confirmed the break will probably last a few years. Shavo told MTV, "We're not breaking up. We're going to take a very long break after Ozzfest and do our own things. We've done System for over ten years, and I think it's healthy to take a rest." During their performance in Houston, Texas, Malakian also took a moment to say, "There's been a lot of rumors about us breaking up. Well, don't listen to them. Us four right here, we will always be System of a Down!" Back to content

System of a Down's final performance before their hiatus took place on August 13, 2006 in West Palm Beach, Florida. "Tonight will be the last show we play for a long time together," Malakian told the crowd during Sunday's last performance. "We'll be back. We just don't know when."Shavo Odadjian recently told Launch Radio Networks that System of a Down is "alive and well", but just aren't working together. Back to content

The stylistic variety and level of experimentation in System of a Down's music has made it difficult to describe. This has made them difficult to categorize, prompting the press to describe them with several different genre handles, among them alternative metal, hard rock, nu metal and progressive metal. Even some electronic influences can be heard in songs such as "Old School Hollywood." Back to content

The band has used a wide range of instruments, including electric mandolins, baritone electric guitars, acoustic guitars, ouds, sitars and twelve string guitars. Back to content