FUSE TV - Serj Tankian Crushes Promise of New System of a Down Album

Just days ago, System of a Down's drummer promised a light at the end of the tunnel for impatient fans when he said the metal act will "have a new album" the next time they play Los Angeles.

Well, Serj Tankian—who bassist Shavo Odadjian said is holding the rest of the band back—wasted no time in once again crushing hopes that System might be recording new material in the near future.

During Tankian's recent Reddit AMA (he's promoting two solo releases this year), one fan asked him point-blank if there are "any plans for a new System of a Down album anytime soon." His response was blunt: "We have not made any plans at this moment. When the time is right, everyone will be made amply aware."

When another fan attempted the "keep asking the same question until you get the answer you want" approach, Tankian once again shot them down, explaining reports of a new album are simply "not true." According to him, the band "have not yet agreed on a timetable for another record due to its time commitments," which echoes what he told ArtistDirect not long ago.

After being pushed once more to comment on the prospect of a new SOAD record, Tankian replied, "We have to make a record when we think it's time, not anyone else."

Given that the band's bassist and drummer seem fairly eager to record, Tankian's "we" might really just mean "I" (guitarist Daron Malakian has remained mum throughout this ongoing drama). But either way, you have to respect his candor. After all, it's better a band with their track record keep to those high standards instead of delivering a half-hearted product to satiate the market.

That update wasn't the only heartbreaking part of Tankian's Reddit AMA, however. When one brilliant user asked if he calls his security guards "Serj Protectors," the metal singer didn't even deign to answer. C'mon Serj. Don't pretend you weren't lulzing all over yourself.