Nine long years have passed since the Armenian/American alternative-metal behemoth that is System of a Down last graced the UK with their presence. It’s reasonable to say that a fair amount has happened in that time both globally (Covid-19, Trump etc…) and for the band personally, with solo albums, autobiographies and art projects across the board.
The last memories of System’s last visits here are somewhat lukewarm, with recollections of an unenthusiastic return at Download festival in 2011 followed up by a string of hit-and-miss appearances at other festivals. A return to former glory was, however, hinted at subsequently on their stellar 2015 Wake up the Souls tour with a headline show at Wembley Arena and then a much better received set at Download 2017.
The question on everyone’s lips tonight is which System will turn up this time? Recent musings from Serj Tankian seem to indicate that he’s well and truly back to enjoying playing live with the band again – The eccentric frontman having been notoriously disinterested in doing so for a large period of time. There’s also the question of the band dynamic – It’s been no secret that the political views of certain band members are at odds with each other, and indeed seemingly with the overall message of the band, drummer John Dolmayan having spoken out about his support for the Current US
government. For a band so fiercely anti-establishment, and having made their name opposing the wrongs of the world, this surely must be a bone of contention?
The Stage is set for an interesting evening, one way or the other, and following two very ably performed opening sets from the newly reformed Acid Bath, and perennial big-stage botherers Queens of the Stone Age, the time has come for System of a Down to make their presence felt.
And wow, what a presence it is. As the opening bars of “Soldier Side – Intro” ring out, the crowd erupts into rapturous applause, screams and whistles. Their heroes are back, and they’re doing the thing again! A behatted Daron Malakian appears on stage and belts out the words to the iconic intro track before the rest of the band appears on stage and they all launch into the explosive B.Y.O.B. At this point, any previously held trepidations are instantly annihilated. It’s clear to see that this is a
SOAD firing on all cylinders again, finally!
It doesn’t take long for the first circle pit of the evening to break out while Serj, visibly beaming with enjoyment, has the crowd eating out of his hand.
Alex Loach – System Of a Down
What follows is a 30-track masterclass in bringing heavy music to a stadium-sized stage, something which does not always translate well to such a huge setting, but when you have as much huge material as a band like System to work with, it makes that translation somewhat easier!
Hit after hit, banger after millennial-adored anthem: Suite-Pee, Chic ‘N’ Stu, Prison Song, Aerials, I-E-A-I-A-I-O (as a precursor to which, Daron Malakian leads the 60,000-strong crowd in a peculiar vowel-laden singalong). The tempo amongst the crowd drops noticeably only for the few minutes of the solitary newer song on the setlist, “Genocidal Humanoidz”, indeed one of only two System of a Down songs released since 2005’s Hypnotize album. It’s still well received – It just doesn’t have the same colossal impact as the mega-hits of yesteryear.
What follows is an amusing nod to an old rivalry between System and Brit-pop megastars Oasis, as Malakian dedicates “Needles” to the Gallagher brothers. Hearing a packed stadium singing “Pull Oasis out of your ass” in unison is one of those moments that will live in the memories of every attendee for years to come, as much for the absurdity as for the spectacle.
It’s all business from this point on, as the band launch into another half-hour of high octane crowd-pleasers including Deer Dance, Radio/Video – which sees a mass dance along erupt where very recently, mosh pits were spinning; Bounce – and oh boy does this crown obey the instruction of the title here, and the inevitable but always welcome Chop Suey! which gets the biggest singalong of the night to nobody’s real surprise.
A slight drop in tempo follows, with the band reaching for some of the more introspective tracks in their library. A spine-tingling Lonely Day gives way to Lost in Hollywood, Streamline, Spiders and Forest. What then follows is a real treat – a live airing of the brooding and melancholy DAM, a rarity from one of the original demos dating back before the debut album. It’s clear that not many in attendance are familiar; however, for those who know the deep System lore, this is a real privilege.
Approaching the final tracks now, bass player Shavo Odajian prowls the stage, his menacing presence somewhat lessened by the huge grin beaming from his face. These guys are absolutely loving every minute of this – it’s a pleasure to see and is something of a relief given the rocky nature of the early reunion shows.
“EATING SEEDS”… Screams Malakian, “IS A PASTIME. ACTIVITY”. Yeah, everyone knows what
time it is. The several circle pits which had covered the floor for the majority of the performance merge into one gigantic rotating mass of bodies. The one-two punch of Toxicity, followed by riotous closing number Sugar, brings an end to proceedings in the most chaotic way possible. There’s not a single person in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium left standing still as limbs fly, people jump around with reckless abandon, and 60,000 people try to keep up with singing the verse on the latter song.
The final notes ring out, and the band take to the front of the stage for a final bow.
This was a special show. One of those “I was there” moments for all in attendance.
The question more now than ever seems to be – with a band having this much fun on stage, can they put aside their personal differences and give the fans that elusive new album? Of course, many may say why bother? They’re filling stadiums on multiple nights off the strength of their existing material, and all have fulfilling creative outlets outside of System of a Down.
Either way, right here, right now, they are triumphant.
