In a recent interview with Lilian Tahmasian, an Australian YouTuber of Armenian descent, SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan revisited the topic of the band potentially releasing a follow-up to their 2005 albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize. The band, fronted by Serj Tankian and composed of four Los Angeles-based musicians of Armenian heritage, has toured sporadically since ending their hiatus in 2011 but has not recorded new music since. Dolmayan expressed his reservations, stating (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know if I want [a new SYSTEM album] at this point. There's just too much drama involved. And I like going out and having a good time with my friends and playing shows. And I don't want that to disappear. There would have to be very strict guidelines for me to make another record with SYSTEM again."
When asked if the differing political views among band members have historically hindered their ability to collaborate on new music, Dolmayan acknowledged the challenges, particularly due to Tankian's outspoken nature. He said: "Yeah, well, we had problems with that, because Serj is very outspoken. And he has one way of thinking. Some things we agree with — the rest of the band — some things we don't. Some things we're exactly on par with. My belief system is a little different." He elaborated on the band's desire to avoid making politics the sole focus of their music, despite its importance: "With Serj, it was, like, well, we don't want that to be the only thing, because we don't feel like that's the only element of SYSTEM OF A DOWN. It's a big part of the band. Justice is a big part of that. Justice has no politics. It's either just or unjust. It has no political affiliation. It either is or it isn't."
Dolmayan also reflected on the band's early days, noting how their Armenian heritage and political themes were not widely understood or accepted in the early 2000s. He said: "When we first came out, nobody knew who Armenians were. We're an ex-Soviet Union, communist country, who is in a bitter hundred-plus year battle with an enemy that is one of the biggest allies of the United States." He added that while he once aligned more closely with Tankian's views, his perspective has evolved over time: "I guess I agreed more with it back then than I did at a later time because I felt like once it becomes the status quo in the popular opinion, then you've gotta really shift your way of thinking."
Dolmayan, who has been vocal about his support for former U.S. President Donald Trump, confirmed that he voted for Trump in the 2024 election, stating: "I'm glad he won, because it brings a little sanity back. Irrespective of what you hear out there, it's much more sane with him than it was without him." He emphasized the importance of law and order and secure borders while advocating for the U.S. to remain a haven for immigrants. However, he expressed skepticism about "woke" culture and career politicians, saying: "I don't believe in the 'woke' culture at all. It's no secret what my belief system is. And I also don't think having lifelong career politicians is good for society."
Dolmayan's political stance has occasionally put him at odds with some SYSTEM OF A DOWN fans, particularly given the band's progressive reputation. He admitted: "I find it really difficult to keep my mouth shut when I see injustice. And I find what's happening to conservatives to be completely opposite with justice, completely opposite with understanding and compassion." He also acknowledged the personal and professional consequences of his support for Trump, saying: "I took a lot of flak, I lost a lot of followers, I lost financial opportunities, and primarily because I supported Donald Trump as president."
This is not the first time Dolmayan's political views have sparked controversy. In 2020, he publicly defended Trump during an appearance on "The Right View With Lara Trump," a podcast hosted by Trump's daughter-in-law. His comments drew criticism from some fans and even prompted a response from Serj Tankian, who clarified that Dolmayan's views did not represent the band as a whole. Tankian, a vocal critic of Trump, has often used his platform to advocate for progressive causes, including environmentalism and social justice, which has created a stark contrast with Dolmayan's conservative leanings.
Despite their political differences, Dolmayan expressed respect for Tankian's passion, even when he disagrees with him: "The more crazy he got and into it, I believe anything that's passionately displayed is worth listening to — even if I completely disagree with it." However, he reiterated that SYSTEM OF A DOWN's music encompasses a wide range of themes beyond politics: "Lyrically, we don't just sing about politics — we sing about love, death, hate, stupid things, inane things, artistic things, insane things. It's all these things that make SYSTEM OF A DOWN so unique."
Let's break down this and more from this conversation, which can be fully watched and listened to above. John Dolmayan's assertion that Trump's presidency "brings a little sanity back" is not only delusional but dangerously ignorant of the reckless and irrational actions characterizing the current administration. Trump's previous term was a disaster that actively undermined American institutions, and his current reign is shaping up to be even worse. How exactly is it "sane" to have a leader who tried to overturn a legitimate election that was certified by many Republicans, and of which Trump appointed judges laughed his assertations of fraud out of the courtroom? Who incited an insurrection, and spent his entire tenure attacking the press and dismantling not the actual waste, fraud, and abuse in our absurd military budget that has failed seven straight audits, but attempting to cut social spending for the most marginalized and vulnerable? Supporting someone who attempted to seize power illegally isn't just misguided—it's a direct endorsement of authoritarianism.
Trump's approach to foreign policy is nothing short of a fucking trainwreck. His administration has already proven its recklessness by suspending intelligence sharing with Ukraine, effectively abandoning an ally in their fight against Russian aggression. Meanwhile, he continues the Biden adminstration's support both rhetorically, militarily, and financially to Israel's unrelenting genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and gave a green light to the slaughter of Palestinian residents in the occupied West Bank, along with occupying both Syria and Lebanon while threatening all out war with Iran. Hasn't System Of A Down been rightfully spearheading a charge for recognition and justice for the Armenian genocide? Is it "sane" to so deeply care about one injustice of someone's own people, but then at the same time support a person who openly calls for the ethnic cleansing and mass slaughter of Palestinians? Morality aside, such actions and blatant hypocrisy does nothing but continue the weakening diplomatic ties in the Middle East. His impulsive, short-sighted decisions make the world more dangerous, not more stable. Then there's his disastrous trade policies—slapping 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, along with a 10% tariff on China—only to delay them due to economic fears, and then bring them back, and then reportedly delay the tariffs on many individual goods, while still threatening further sanctions. These erratic moves are not the thoughts and actions of a peacemaker and a master negotiator, their the delusions of a megalomaniac and psychopath.
Domestically, Trump's administration is a carnival of corruption and incompetence, highlighted by his unhinged partnership with Elon Musk's absurdly named Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, who has no experience running a government, has been given an outsized role in slashing the federal workforce, leading to legal challenges and mass confusion. It's gotten so bad that Trump himself had to clarify that Musk doesn't actually run anything—Cabinet secretaries do. And then of course stated publicly that Musk IS the leader of DOGE, despite the administration stating otherwise under penalty of perjury in court. This isn't a functioning administration; it's a dystopian joke.
Trump's policies continue to be an all-out assault on social justice, environmental protections, and economic stability. This is the man who enacted a racist Muslim ban, gutted LGBTQ+ protections, and emboldened white supremacists at every turn. It's important to take note that while the Biden administration had less openly bigoted rhetoric on all fronts, the most anti LGBTQIA+ legislation in modern history was based at local, state, and federal levels according to Trans Legislation Tracker. And with the current administration's full speed ahead on scapegoating all marginalized groups, and especially the trans community, it is no question that these attacks and the stripping away of rights and liberties are and will be emboldened to the enth degree. Celebrating his return is celebrating discrimination, plain and simple. And let's not forget his absolute war on the environment—he already withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement again and signed Executive Order 14162 to roll back critical climate commitments. It's a direct attack on the planet's future, sacrificing long-term survival for short-term corporate greed while allowing other countries to capitalize and grow on industries such as renewable energy while the United States flounders.
The economic policies being pushed are just another repeat of his first term: tax cuts for billionaires, policies that widen wealth inequality, and reckless spending that skyrockets the deficit. If Dolmayan thinks this is "sanity," he must be completely disconnected from the reality of struggling Americans. And now, to top it all off, Trump's Executive Order 14169 pauses all U.S. foreign development assistance for 90 days, stripping vital aid from vulnerable populations across the globe. This also included United States workers being stranded without any recourse or paths to get home due to the complete lack of comprehensive assessment from the most powerful person and administration on the fucking planet.
Dolmayan's take is not only wrong—it's pathetic. Trump's presidency isn't about sanity; it's about chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Praising his return is a slap in the face to every person who fought against the damage he inflicted, which includes Dolmayan's own bandmates with whom he created his livelihood and his platform with. If Dolmayan truly believes Trump is the answer, he either wasn't paying attention, or he just doesn't care about anyone outside his own privileged bubble.
