Listen to Daron Malakian’s New Track “Killing Spree” from System of a Down

Daron Malakian holds firm views on the current state of heavy music, emphasizing a lack of danger and risk. “There’s a generation of fans who are easily offended,” he shares with Rolling Stone. “The essence of shock and offensiveness should not be stripped from rock music altogether.”

Those elements are vividly present in “Killing Spree,” the visceral lead single from Addicted to the Violence, the upcoming album by Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway, set to release on July 18. “Insanity/Controlling me,” he chants in the chorus, “Society/The kids are on a killing spree.” The track is energized by frenetic, pulsating guitars and layers of distortion that create an intense and brutal atmosphere. “It’s gonna feel like a Jesus comin’ back,” he sings, elongating the last word with a buoyant, helium-like flair. “It’s gonna feel like the devil’s on the attack.”

“I believe the song ‘Killing Spree’ addresses a topic that many avoid,” Malakian, 49, states via email. “I’m not shy about it because it’s part of reality. It’s not designed to be shocking or offensive; it simply exists, and it’s a topic I feel compelled to explore. I won’t censor myself for the sake of those who might take offense. That rawness is lacking in heavy metal today.”

He’s hesitant to delve deeply into the song’s meaning — “Your kids are on a killing spree, so your kids have something to do with it,” he remarks somewhat ambiguously — in part because he doesn’t find the issue of killing sprees controversial. “We inhabit a world where these events occur, and killing sprees have happened frequently over the past 15 years or so — though I actually penned the song long before that,” he reveals. Additionally, he frames the track as more of a commentary than a provocative statement. “It’s neither for nor against anything,” he clarifies. “It simply is.”

Nowadays, Malakian mentions that he writes songs purely for the joy of it. As the guitarist and vocalist of System of a Down, he remains active touring with them. Having hit a creative impasse regarding new albums (they recorded a few songs a few years back), he has been gradually crafting a follow-up to the last Scars on Broadway album, Dictator, which released in 2018. He notes that the new record, Addicted to the Violence, reflects a broader theme.

“At this stage in my life, I’m not writing specifically for System or Scars,” he explains. “I just write music. If System were working on a new album, some of these tracks might end up there, but since they aren’t producing albums currently, they belong to Scars.”

Malakian recorded Dictator as an escape from “some personal challenges concerning my family and life,” managing to create multiple tracks in just two weeks, taking charge of everything from vocals and guitars to the drums. The forthcoming Addicted to the Violence has involved more thought and features collaboration with his friend, multi-instrumentalist Orbel Babayan, drummer Roman Lomtadze, and saxophonist Matthew “Narducci” Silberman.

“This album has taken me longer than any other to finalize,” Malakian shares. “I invested more time in home demos, recorded various bits at home, and selected songs from my collection that were like, ‘Let’s give this one a shot and see how it goes.’”

Scars on Broadway initially recorded songs at Malakian’s home, but were unsatisfied with the sound, leading them to a studio where they re-recorded everything except the vocals. He estimates it took nearly two years to achieve the desired sound. “I was in no rush,” he insists. “I’m never in a hurry. Those who appreciate my work know I don’t release albums annually… that’s simply my style.”

So, will audiences get to hear these tracks performed live? “I have plans to perform, although there are no tours lined up just yet,” he states. “But live shows are definitely in the cards.”