Soad

This article is about the band. For their self-titled album, see System of a Down (album).
System of a Down

System of a Down at Download Festival On June 12, 2005.Background information
Also known as Soil (1992–1994)
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Alternative metal, progressive rock, hard rock, experimental rock
Yearsactive 1994–2006, 2011-
Labels Sony Music, American, Columbia
Associated acts Achozen, Axis of Justice, George Clinton and His Gangsters of Love, Scars on Broadway, Serj Tankianand The F.C.C., The Apex Theory
Website systemofadown.com
Members
Daron Malakian
Serj Tankian
Shavo Odadjian
John Dolmayan
Past members
Ontronik "Andy"Khachaturian
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is an Armenian-American rock band from Southern California, formed in 1994. It consists ofSerj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals), Shavo Odadjian (bass, background vocals) and John Dolmayan (drums). All four members are ofArmenian descent, and are widely known for their outspoken views expressed in many of their songs confronting the Armenian Genocide of 1915 as well as the ongoing War onTerrorism.

The band has achieved commercial success with the release of five studio albums; three of their studio albums debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. System of a Downhas been nominated for four Grammy Awards, and won the award in 2006 for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song "B.Y.O.B." On August 13, 2006, the group went on indefinitehiatus, but announced a reunion on November 29, 2010 with several shows planned at European music festivals for the summer of 2011, as well as several dates in North America in May.