First up on this cold and wet night were New Jersey natives The Dillinger Escape Pan. Specialising in a very precise type of metal, while having a solid sonic backbone to them, they were, quite frankly, shit live and an incredibly poor choice for a venue such as Rod Laver Arena and support slot for a band like System Of A Down.
Their fifty minute set managed to sound like both sonic PMS and overproduced bong water. The music the band play, while technically competent and played with lots of energy, absolutely bored the pants of this scribe. Coupled with a sludgy sound mix that favoured the band over singer Greg Puciato’s unintelligible, one note screaming – and not the interesting kind – this was a painful way to start the night, further compounded by Puciato’s attitude to the gathering crowd (that they weren’t getting into what the band were putting forward.)
System Of A Down are one of the most important bands in the metal/heavy music scene over the past nearly twenty years. Consisting of vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Serj Tankian, guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan, this is a band that have truly redefined music as we know it.
What makes System so special is that, while displaying traditional elements of metal, the way they deploy what they do sonically is exciting and, at times, wildly unpredictable. They also feature two very different and distinct vocalists in Tankian and Malakian. One of the most striking aspects of the System Of A Down sonic world is Tankian’s utterly electrifying vocal style, displaying a brilliant understanding of the band’s Armenian–American heritage, with a sound that can range from a whisper to an almost Tuvin throat singing attack. It truly is a sight and sound to behold.
This contrasts brilliantly with Malakian’s utterly distinct, love it or hate it, style. Sounding delicate and fragile one moment and like an escaped mental patient the next, he is a brilliant Ying to Tankian’s Yang. This is a vocal combination that shouldn’t work but does to a truly astounding degree. This is coupled this with one of the strongest rhythm sections you’ve ever heard.
The other thing that is so admirable about System is that they, via their Armenian background, very much have that ‘outsider looking in’ attitude and vibe towards the state of America. This is not a band that, via their music, is afraid to talk about what is fucked about their homeland. In a world where too many people talk loud and say nothing, System is indeed a rare bird.
Kicking off with “Prison Song” sent the crowd into a moshing and head banging frenzy that barely let up the entire set. Featuring songs with almost schizophrenic tempo changes and a startling staccato guitar sound, System Of A Down, who some years ago were at the point of never reforming after the release of the Hypnotize and Mesmerize albums, were a band truly rediscovering their mojo live.
Highlights came thick and fast. The set list was a sensational cross section of the band’s four studio albums. “Needles”, with its “My temper tells me what to do/My temper tells me where to go” chorus, fired up this crowd immeasurably. The soulful “Soldier Side-Intro”, followed in quick succession with the utterly storming “B.Y.O.B” was another one that had the crowd singing their absolute hearts out.
Finally escaping the Triple M listening fake fans who jumped on the System bandwagon after they heard one of the band’s best known tracks, “Chop Suey!” the track has regained its power to shock and stun, reminding those attending what a brilliant album Toxicity, the band’s sophomore effort, truly was.
It wasn’t all hit you over the head bombast tonight. “Lonely Day”, with Malakian on lead vocals, was quite moving, and proves that emotion and aggression can happily co-exist in metal. “Hypnotize” came up an absolute treat live.
The audience were treated to some rather special moments. Guitarist Ben Weinman joined the band for a stunning version of “Aerials”. Another highlight was towards the end of the set, where the band launched into an utterly frenetic take on “Suite Pee”, only to stop in the middle, teasing the audience like nothing else. Meanwhile, Joey from Slipknot took over on drums for the second half, while Dolmayan went crowd surfing.
The night ended with a hell of a one two punch in the form of “Sugar” and “Toxicity”. A perfect way to end a brilliant night. Positive release of anger and negative emotion through music. It’s one of the most powerful experiences in the world.
– Neil Evans
