SERJ TANKIAN On Lack Of New Music From SYSTEM OF A DOWN: 'The Status Has Not Changed'

SYSTEM OF A DOWN singer Serj Tankian says that nothing has changed with regard to the band's inability to record a follow-up to its 2005 albums "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize".

Last year, SYSTEM guitarist Daron Malakian publicly accused Tankian of not wanting to record, with Tankian responding that creative and financial issues with Malakian led to the stalemate. In a message on Facebook, Tankian wrote that Malakian wanted to control SYSTEM's creative process, take more of the publishing money and be the only band member to speak to the press.

Asked if there have been any further discussions about SYSTEM finally returning to the studio, Serj told Billboard: "The status has not changed. We tour. We do shows together. We haven't been able to see eye to eye to continue as far as creating new music together. Maybe one day that will change, maybe that won't, but we're all close friends and we enjoy each other's company and we're like family at this point, after 25 years. We'll be announcing some new shows soon."

Earlier in the year, Serj told Rolling Stone that the public airing of his dispute with Daron didn't open up any more conversations about SYSTEM's future. "I think it released a lot of tension and negativity," he said. "Everything became more public and open, and that was that. There were no further discussions."

SYSTEM OF A DOWN played a couple of live shows in May, including headlining slots at Columbus, Ohio's Sonic Temple festival and Chicago Open Air.

The band will perform a number of European concerts in 2020, including at Finland's Provinssi and Germany's Rock Am Ring festivals.