System of a Down Rumored to Headline 2018 Aftershock Festival
System of a Down toured in Europe in 2017 and South America in fall 2015, but the band hasn’t played any shows in the U.S. since they headlined both Riot Fests (Chicago and Denver) in the summer of 2015. That looks like it’s about to change: a tease from the organizers of the Aftershock Festival, held every fall in Sacramento, CA, would seem to indicate that the band’s return is imminent.
A 0:30 teaser video posted on the Aftershock Facebook page yesterday features a short clip of SoaD’s “Prison Song” from their 2001 album Toxicity, and it’s difficult to interpret that any other way than that the band will be playing the festival. The teaser also promises an official announcement coming on April 9th (a tease for a tease… groan) and says the festival will be held on October 13th and 14th at its usual home of Discovery Park in California’s capital city.
Two questions remain: 1) Will there be more touring? and 2) Will there be any new music?
There isn’t much to go on, but it’s easier to offer conjecture on the first question: if I were a betting man I’d say there will likely be more touring, or at least a few shows. History indicates that when System of a Down fire up the engines to do a show they typically do more than one. For example, in addition to the two Riot Fests in 2015, they played two other U.S. shows, the aforementioned South American tour and a European run that culminated in a show in Armenia, from where the band members all trace their heritage. It would take a lot of effort for SoaD to get everything up and running for just one show, although it’s not impossible, and the fact that the show is in their native California does make it more likely.
As for new music… well, who the fuck knows. Every time it seems like new music might be coming soon one member says it’s “not happening” or another says they “still haven’t come eye to eye” on a creative direction. If new music were earnestly in the works I think we’d know by now, so I’d wager that no, there won’t be anything new by the time the Aftershock appearance happens. Sorry to disappoint, folks.
More as we get it! Watch the Aftershock trailer below.
[via Metal Injection]
