12 January 2012 - 0 Comments

Huge news for NZ – We’re delighted to be able to confirm the anticipation, excitement and rumours that have been swirling around – yes, indeed, the mighty SYSTEM OF A DOWN will be playing a New Zealand show.

SYSTEM OF A DOWN are the headline act for the massive five city Soundwave Festival in Australia. Prior to their engagement at Australasia’s premier rock event we’re thrilled to announce that SYSTEM OF A DOWN will play their own headline show at The Trusts Stadium Arena, West Auckland on Wednesday February 22^nd.

One night only, with very special guests The Dillinger Escape Plan.

This will be the first time SYSTEM OF A DOWN have played in NZ following a six year hiatus that ended in 2011 with the band reuniting for a string of European festival appearances. Straight back into the top slots SOAD headlined the mainstages including the Download Festival alongside Def Leppard and Linkin Park and Rock am Ring with Kings Of Leon and Coldplay.

New Zealand audiences have always loved SOAD and this passionate support and bond has only strengthened if anything during the recent hiatus years, as vocalist Serj Tankian holds NZ residency and regularly lives on these shores.

SOAD’s innovation and position as a one-of-a-kind band has gained them multi-platinum selling success and countless dedicated fans worldwide. There have been three #1 Billboard albums in a five album history, four Grammy nominations, and one Grammy Award winning Best Hard Rock Performance in 2006 for the song B.Y.O.B.

Few bands create rock anthems so strong and powerful. Fewer still have such an authenticity of style coupled with admirable outspoken political views and activism, especially on war and terrorism.

It was 2001’s Toxicity that cemented SOADs reputation. With every track tightly coiled, urgent and “cast in layers upon layers of aural intricacy, Toxicity charters new frontiers, yet it’s still grinding rock at its most deafening.”  (L.A Weekly) The album debuted #1 on the US charts, sold in its millions worldwide and features singles Chop Suey!, Toxicity, and Aerials. 

In 2005 the Rick Rubin/Daron Malakian produced Mezmerize/Hypnotize project was unleashed as two albums six months apart, and it quickly became impossible to think of it as anything else than one epic piece of work. SYSTEM OF A DOWN delivered their slam dunk, and in doing so hit the top of the charts with both albums yielding #1 debuts on Billboard US album charts giving us one of the world’s great rock double albums of all time….’rarely are albums this thrillingly original’. (Q)

More recently Serj Tankian has achieved considerable success with two solo albums Elect The Dead (2007) and Imperfect Harmonies (2010). In 2009 Tankian played the former together with the full Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in Auckland’s Town Hall. A performance that was captured, together with the rapturous standing ovation, for a CD/DVD release.

Currently in LA putting the finishing touches to his next solo rock record Tankian says “New Zealand feels like home to me, and while my work takes me many places I always love returning. I’m super-excited to be back home in Auckland again, this time with System”.

System Of A Down are:

Serj Tankian – lead vocals, keys, rhythm guitar, Daron Malakian – lead guitar, vocals, keyboard, Shavo Odadjian – bass, John Dolmayan – drums

There’s only one SYSTEM and on Wednesday 22^nd February the frantic, the frenetic, the brutal live assault returns. SYSTEM OF A DOWN ARE COMING BACK TO NEW ZEALAND……..

TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY 23 JANUARY 9AM

WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY

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