Video: Serj Tankian Interviews Himself

This is Serj Tankian, the lead singer of System of a Down, conducting an interview about his upcoming solo album. Notice anything strange?

Zhesht: Armenian Metal

And now for something completely different!

It turns out there is a community of Armenian musicians who have dedicated themselves to metal. System of a Down by comparison is a New Age act! With names like Medagh, pictured, to Vahagn, these guys are truly re-defining our notions of what Armenian music is in Armenia and elsewhere.

If you like metal, heavy metal, black metal, death metal, and so on, visit the Zhesht MySpace page. They also have sound samples there!

The News: Classic Armenian Rockers!

Click to enlarge.

You like System of a Down, right? Sure, everyone and their mother likes SOAD, and for good reason! However, many people think that SOAD are the first Armenian rockers. Not so!

At least one such band was around at least a quarter of a century before: The News! While it may be news to you, and it certainly is to me, these guys were rocking out before many of us were even born. Look at the picture above and tell me it doesn't remind you of Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and other such bands' promo shots from the time. I dare you!

Oh, and the music is not half bad, either. Hammond organs, drums, period vocals, the works. Check it out!

The News on MySpace

Screamers

I want to make sure that everyone sees the movie Screamers. The Los Angeles band System of a Down will contribute their music and much more to this film.

Catch the trailer.

Sadly, it is only playing in a handful of theaters. Here is the list:

Mann Chinese 6
6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-464-8111

Mann Exchange 10
128 North Maryland Avenue Glendale,
CA 91206
818-549-0045

AMC The Block 30
20 City Blvd West Ste. E
Orange, CA 92868
Guest Services: 714-769-4288

And it will open on January 19th, 2007, at these theatres:

Regal Manchester Stadium 16
2055 E. Shields Ave.,
Fresno, CA 93726

Edwards Fresno Stadium 21 & IMAX
250 Paseo del Centro
559-447-3247

So go out there and see it.