DARON MALAKIAN Says SYSTEM Of A DOWN’s Future Is ‘Out Of His Control’ And Tells Fans To ‘Stop Asking For Another Toxicity’
Summary
- DARON MALAKIAN says SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s future is out of his control, and blames lack of unity for no new music.
- Fans keep asking for another Toxicity, but Malakian insists those moments can’t be recreated.
- With SYSTEM on pause, Malakian focuses on SCARS ON BROADWAY and calls new songs some of his best ever written.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN guitarist and songwriter Daron Malakian says the future of the band is not up to him, and he wants fans to stop expecting another Toxicity.
Malakian opened up about his career and the band’s legacy in a recent appearance on the Broken Record podcast.
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Speaking about the lack of new music from the group, he admitted that the decision is not in his hands (as transcribed by LOUDLEGENDS.COM).
“There are things that are out of my control,” he explained. “I can only bring in my songs and ideas, but it takes everyone being on the same page to move forward. That hasn’t always been the case.”
No More Toxicity Repeats
Malakian also pushed back against constant comparisons to the band’s 2001 breakthrough album.
“People always want another Toxicity or another Mezmerize,” he said. “But you can’t recreate those moments. They happened in a specific time, with a specific energy. I can only keep moving forward and trust that the music will find its place.”
The guitarist stressed that while he understands the demand, repeating the past isn’t possible.
“Stop asking for another Toxicity,” he told fans. “That was then. This is now.”
Creative Tensions Inside The Band
SYSTEM OF A DOWN has not released a full album since Hypnotize in 2005. The band has reunited for tours but failed to deliver new material despite repeated speculation.
Daron suggested that creative disagreements, especially between him and frontman Serj Tankian, have been a major reason.
“System has always been about contrast,” he said. “You had my way of writing and Serj’s approach, and when those two worlds collided, it created something unique. That wasn’t always easy, but it was essential to who we were.”
Malakian made it clear that unless all members share the same commitment, no new album will happen.
“It’s not something I can decide on my own,” he said.
Scars On Broadway As An Outlet
While System remains stalled, Malakian continues releasing music with Scars On Broadway.
The group’s upcoming album, Addicted To The Violence, features material written across different periods of his career.
“I didn’t write these songs necessarily during these times,” Malakian explained. “Some of these songs I wrote many, many years ago, but they still kind of relate to the world we live in.”
The guitarist sees Scars as an important outlet.
“If I have music I believe in, I’ll put it out,” he said. “I don’t like to sit around waiting for someone else’s approval.”
Chaos as a Constant Theme
Malakian also reflected on recurring themes in his writing.
He said chaos, in particular, has always influenced his lyrics.
“Chaos has always been a part of mankind,” he said. “Whether it was twenty years ago, ten years ago, five years ago, or even a hundred years ago. That’s something that’s always been there.”
He added that not all his songs focus on chaos, but the subject never seems to disappear.
Still Writing His “Best Songs”
Despite years of tension in System and the long gap between albums, Malakian believes he is at a creative high point.
“Some of the songs on the new album are among the best I’ve ever written,” he said. “A lot of people assume the best stuff happens when you’re young and hungry. But I feel like I’m sharper now than I’ve ever been.”
Legacy
Malakian expressed gratitude that System’s older music continues to reach new listeners.
“The fact that younger kids are still discovering System, that’s amazing to me,” he said. “It means the music has a life of its own. You can’t plan that. You can’t buy that. It just happens.”
As for the future, he stayed realistic.
“If the stars line up, who knows? But right now, I’m just focused on what I can control, which is my own writing and Scars.”
Here’s a clean, encyclopedia-style “About Daron Malakian” section you can drop at the end of your article. It’s written in plain USA Today–friendly tone but still detailed enough for music readers:
About Daron Malakian
Daron Malakian is best known as the guitarist, songwriter, and occasional vocalist for System of a Down, one of the most influential metal bands of the 2000s.
Born in Hollywood, California, in 1975 to Armenian immigrant parents, Malakian grew up immersed in both Middle Eastern music and American rock.
His mix of heavy riffs, unconventional melodies, and politically charged lyrics helped define System’s sound on albums like Toxicity (2001), Mezmerize (2005), and Hypnotize (2005).
Alongside his work in System of a Down, Malakian launched Scars on Broadway in 2005.
With Scars, he takes on guitar, vocals, songwriting, and production duties, giving him complete creative control.
The band’s self-titled debut was released in 2008, followed by Dictator in 2018, and most recently Addicted to the Violence in 2025.
Known for his sharp riffs and theatrical stage presence, Malakian has often been the driving creative force behind System of a Down.
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