System of a Down: Serj Tankian's autobiography arrives in Italy. The band in Italy for a July date

"Down with the System – Un'autobiografia (o quasi)", the Italian edition of Serj Tankian's memoir published by Il Castello in the Chinaski series, is now also arriving in Italian bookstores. The book, available from 17 June, traces the life of the System of a Down frontman, weaving together personal events, artistic career and political commitment.

More than a classic rock autobiography, the book traces the journey that led Tankian to become one of the most recognizable figures in contemporary music and international activism. "I was an activist long before I became an artist", the musician writes, retracing his family's Armenian origins, his childhood and adolescence in the United States, and the way cultural identity, historical memory and a sense of justice shaped his worldview.
Naturally, plenty of space is devoted to System of a Down, from the band's formation to their explosive worldwide success. Tankian recalls a symbolic moment in the group's career: "The day we hit number one with our second album, “Toxicity“, was September 11, 2001". Among the more curious episodes is also the story of his first concert, in 1984, when his girlfriend took him to see Iron Maiden: "I never became a die-hard metal fan like the other members of the band".

Recalling the nu metal boom years, the singer notes: "There was this explosion of bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Incubus, Slipknot, Linkin Park, A Perfect Circle and Papa Roach. Even if I didn't necessarily feel in tune with all of those artists, their success certainly paved the way for us." He also claims a historic first for the band: "The video for 'Chop Suey!' was the first metal song to pass one billion views on YouTube."
Music is closely tied to civic commitment. Tankian recounts the long campaign for recognition of the Armenian genocide and for the defense of human rights, a battle that also brought him unwanted attention: "Turkish intelligence services kept an eye on me and tracked my movements. The stir I'd caused had drawn their attention, but not in a good way."
Among the most significant episodes is one from 2002, when he threatened to leave the band if Sony didn't let Michael Moore direct the video for "Boom!". He also recalls the decision to turn down a concert in Istanbul supporting Slayer: "As an up-and-coming band, we refused to open for Slayer in Istanbul in protest against Turkey, which continues to deny the Armenian genocide. Tom Araya understood our position and didn't take offense."

In the book, Tankian also reflects on the price paid for his convictions: "I know for certain that I've lost fans because of my political views and my activism, probably thousands." And with his trademark nonconformist spirit, he also recalls "Chop Suey!"'s Grammy nomination: "It got a Grammy nomination. Fuck it! The most punk rock thing to do was not to go."
There's no shortage of music-world anecdotes either. Buckethead would leave him fifteen-minute guitar solos on his voicemail in the dead of night, Motörhead's Lemmy is remembered in swimming trunks and a cowboy hat backstage at Ozzfest, while Mike Patton once managed to empty an entire tour bus by blasting a German porn film on the vehicle's screens at full volume. Tankian also recounts his first meeting with Tom Morello: "The first time I met Tom Morello we barely said a word to each other." That beginning, however, grew into a long friendship and working relationship.

The autobiography also addresses the difficult period that led the singer to step away from System of a Down in 2006, at the height of their success, to escape internal tensions that had by then become unsustainable. At the same time, Tankian built a prolific solo career, devoting himself to orchestral music, film scores and numerous artistic projects far removed from the band's world.
The book closes with a reflection born during a reunion concert in 2023. "I watched my son Rumi together with the other band members' kids, jumping, dancing and going wild to the rhythm of our music. In that moment I realized that System of a Down isn't just a band, but a real family."

System of a Down will return to Italy on 6 July for a single date at the Ippodromo SNAI La Maura in Milan.

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