While Armenian-American metal guru Serj Tankian has always been quick to spit in the face big business and corrupt government, his 2010 album Imperfect Harmonies followed a distinctly less hard rock / metal approach than what fans of the System of a Down frontman have become accustomed to, offering a more prog, symphonic-based sound.
The new video for “Figure It Out” however, has proven to be a hyperactive romp that simply, yet wholeheartedly, flashes a middle finger to executives and corporations the world-over. The song, which will feature on the upcoming album Harakiri, is more reminiscent of Tankian’s work on 2007′s Elect The Dead and System of a Down’s later albums Mezmerize and Hypnotize.
Fans hoping for a thoroughly rock-orientated record shouldn’t hold their breaths though, as Tankian seems keen to tackle a number of different styles in this latest effort, stating:
“It’s exciting to work on different styles of music because they allow me to express myself in such different ways. The way I can project a certain kind of vulnerability – an almost sadness – in a small section of a symphonic piece is something that I could never do on a rock record.”
Harakiri is presently available for pre-order on the singer’s official website, and $2 from the sale of each pre-order will be donated to a non-profit organization to fight global hunger. “Figure It Out” is available digitally at services including iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, and for fans that can’t stand watching parodies of businessmen prancing around with bottles of champagne, a lyric video is also available on YouTube.
Serj and the rest of his bandmates in System of a Down will also be performing a handful of US dates in August:
08/02 Philadelphia, PA – Susquehanna Bank Center
08/04 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
08/05 Wantagh, NY – Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
08/07 Washington, DC – Verizon Center Arena
08/09 Boston, MA – Comcast Center
08/11 Montreal, QC – Heavy Metal Festival Parterre @ Parc Jean Drapeau
08/12 Toronto, ON – Heavy Metal Festival Downsview Park
08/14 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Amphitheater
08/15 Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
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