SYSTEM OF A DOWN Guitarist: 'Sometimes I Feel Alienated From My Band'

November 10, 2005

SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Daron Malakian recently spoke to Kerrang! magazine about the band's forthcoming release "Hypnotize", part two of the group's promised two-album set. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Kerrang!: You were very nervous about what people might think of "Mezmerize". Are you just as nervous about "Hypnotize"?

Daron: "No, I was nervous because 'Mezmerize' and 'Hypnotize' were taking SYSTEM OF A DOWN in another direction and, as nobody had heard 'Mezmerize' at that point. I wasn't sure how people would react to me singing more or the sounds in general. 'Mezmerize' broke the ice, so I'm not nervous about how 'Hypnotize' will be received. I'm a lot more confident."

Kerrang!: Why the decision to sing more? Are these songs more personal to you?

Daron: "A little of that and I thought my voice would suit the songs more. When someone else is singing about your emotions, it can be tough to get that person to understand the same emotion that you've lived or felt."

Kerrang!: People are already calling these two albums your masterpieces. Does that make you proud?

Daron: "Sometimes it makes me feel alienated from my band, which doesn't feel very good.""

Kerrang!: Is that because there's a lot more attention on you now?

Daron: "It's kind if funny because through the years I've always written the music, the songs and some of the lyrics. But for years, a lot of people thought Serj [Tankian] wrote everything because I wasn't singing. Now the attention has turned to me and it's a little bit weird. It's taken me a little time to get used to it."

Kerrang!: Were you bitter about Serj getting all the attention?

Daron: "Sometimes I used to be, but not anymore. I knew that wasn't Serj's fault so I wasn't ever angry with him. It never really caused any bad relationship between us because how could I blame him? It's not like he plays up to being a rock star. He's happier for me now because he's always wanted people to know what I do in the band and he's never tried to hide that."

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