SERJ TANKIAN: Enhanced Version Of 'Elect The Dead Symphony' Released Via iTunes

The iTunes LP version of Serj Tankian's eagerly awaited "Elect the Dead Symphony" went on sale exclusively on iTunes on February 23, a full two weeks before the CD/DVD package is released by Serjical Strike/Reprise Records on March 9 and made available from all retailers. The long-form concert film also went on sale exclusively on the iTunes store.

This iTunes LP version features 14 tracks from "Elect the Dead Symphony" — a very special orchestral interpretation of Tankian's critically acclaimed solo debut "Elect the Dead" that saw Tankian performing at New Zealand’s majestic Auckland Town Hall with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in March 2009. It also recreates the "LP" experience by providing exclusive photos, complete lyrics, credits, and acknowledgements, plus a behind-the-scenes interview with Tankian and others involved in the creation of the "Elect the Dead Symphony" CD/DVD experience.

"Elect the Dead Symphony" contains elements of psychedelia, classical, and the trademark surrealist images and skewed time signatures that Tankian has made his own, all of which were scored by Tankian himself and arranged for full orchestra by respected New Zealand composer John Psathas. The album has been mixed by Dutch musician Junkie XL, known for his remixes for such artists as BRITNEY SPEARS, BEASTIE BOYS, COLDPLAY, MICHAEL BUBLÉ, MADONNA, SCISSOR SISTERS, SARAH MCLACHLAN, and many more.

According to The Pulse of Radio, Serj Tankian will perform an orchestral version of his 2007 "Elect The Dead" album at a series of live shows to take place in Europe this summer. As for bringing the "Elect The Dead Symphony" to the U.S., Tankian told The Pulse of Radio that it will happen eventually. "Yeah, I've got my agent looking into it," he said. "The problem is we're a little late for this year just 'cause, you know, orchestras are usually booked up a year, year and a half ahead, and so trying to find the right opportunities with the right people is just a little more difficult, but we're trying to do that, yeah. If it works out that it's in 2011, I don't care, I'll do it then."

Nationwide screenings of the "Elect The Dead Symphony" DVD began on Friday (February 19) and will continue up to the release date of the disc. You can check out cinemapurgatorio.com for screening info.

Tankian is also working on his second solo album, which is tentatively titled "Music Without Borders" and which the singer describes as "electro-orchestral-jazz-rock." He hopes to have the album out by late summer.

Tankian's band, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, has been on hiatus since late 2006 and shows no signs of regrouping any time soon.