SYSTEM OF A DOWN Drummer: 'We'll Have A New Album' Out Next Time We Play In L.A.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan announced at the conclusion of the band's concert last night (Monday, July 29) at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California that the group's next appearance at the venue will be to promote a new studio CD.

"Next time we come back here, we'll have a new fucking album!" Dolmayan told the crowd after the final song of SYSTEM OF A DOWN's set, "Sugar" (see video below).

Back in May, SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian posted a series of statements at his Facebook page in which he directly blamed singer Serj Tankian for the band's continued lack of new music, saying that the vocalist was holding the group back.

Odadjian hinted that he would be happy to work with a new singer, saying, "I'm ready to release (a new album) with someone who wants to be the singer of SYSTEM, not someone we have to beg to be a part of SYSTEM!"

Odadjian added, "No diss to Serj . . . If he wants to be in the band, then he's welcome but if he's not? What do you expect us three to do??"

SYSTEM OF A DOWN released a statement shortly after Odadjian made his remarks, saying, "Shavo posted a few statements on his personal Facebook page that do not reflect the sentiments of SYSTEM OF A DOWN as a collective band. These were misleading statements that were made during a temporary state of bad judgment on his part alone."

As for a new album, the statement from the band said, "Although we have not agreed on a timetable for a new album, we all believe that having the four of us do it together is the way to be true to the band and our fans."

Two weeks after Odadjian blamed Serj for holding the group back from making new music, Tankian himself spoke out — and more or less confirmed what Odadjian said. Asked about the chances of a new SYSTEM record, Tankian told ARTISTdirect, "A new record requires three years. It's not something I can do right now. When I can commit to a three-year album cycle, I'll be down to do it." He added, "I can't write a forced record. It's like romancing someone at a time you don't want to be romantic. It's not even a choice."

Although Tankian did not address Odadjian's statements directly, he said, "You can't do it on anyone else's timeframe. You can't take orders. We're not making pizza."

Nevertheless, Tankian expressed no ill will toward his bandmates at all, saying, "First and foremost, they're my partners and friends I've created this music and career with over these years. I'm still very thankful. To me, it's what I've done. It's where I've come in. It's something I enjoy doing."

Tankian has just released two albums through his Serjical Strike Records. "Orca", Tankian's first true symphony, arrived on June 25, while July 23 saw the release of a collaborative jazz-inspired disc called "Jazz-iz Christ".

SYSTEM OF A DOWN will tour Europe throughout the month of August. After that, Tankian will launch a series of solo orchestral tour dates on September 19 in Kiev, Ukraine.