System of a Down Drummer Calls for Band to “Put All the Bullsh*t Aside, Check the Massive Egos at the Door”

System of a Down have several shows planned in 2020 but new music remains elusive, with the band getting along just fine when it comes to performing live but unable to see eye-to-eye on a creative direction.

Now drummer John Dolmayan, who in September expressed his displeasure with the quality of even the band’s recent live shows, has taken to the internet to vent about the lack of new music. His inspiration: Red Hot Chili Peppers, who yesterday announced the return of guitarist John Frusciante.

Dolmayan posted an image to his personal Instagram account showing four stickers arranged in a square, with three, Rage Against the Machine, Tool and RHCP right side up, and the fourth, System of a Down, upside down. The subtext, not so subtle! But here’s the caption anyway, which also not at all subtle:

“Three of these bands can get out of their own way and work together for a common goal, maybe the fourth can as well. Perhaps it’s time to put all the bullshit aside, check the massive egos at the door, and do together what none of us can do alone. Maybe, just maybe a Christmas miracle will happen. Maybe it can be a System Of A Down”

It’s unclear whether the “Christmas miracle” Dolmayan mentions is a reference to any specific event — are the band members all getting together to jam over the holidays? — or if it was just a timely allusion to the season, but in either case, Dolmayan certainly hasn’t minced words. While Dolmayan didn’t call him out by name, every band member including Serj himself has gone on record as saying the major hold out is Serj, who said recently he’s fighting for a more egalitarian writing process and financial structure.

Tankian, for his part, is at least having fun with the whole thing and maintaining a sense of humor, chiming in with a comment:

If you believe in Christmas miracles perhaps there’s hope for you, but the rest of us should likely get back to wishing for other things in the meantime, or perhaps consult a Musician Authority.

System of a Down’s live shows for 2020 are posted below, with tickets available here.

06/03 Amsterdam, NET – Ziggo Dome
06/05-07 Nurburg, GER – Rock am Ring
06/06-07 Nuremberg, GER – Rock im Park
06/08 Berlin, GER – Waldbuhne
06/10-13 Nickelsdorf, AUT – Nova Rock Festival
06/14 Donington, UK – Download Festival
06/16 Prague, CZE – O2 Arena
06/17 Budapest, HUN – Laszlo Papp Sports Arena
06/19 Zurich, SWI – Hallenstadion
06/23 Stockholm, SWE – Ericsson Globe
06/25-27 Seinäjoki, FIN – Provinssirock Festival
06/30 Krakow, POL – Tauron Arena
07/01-04 Viveiro, SPA – Resurrection Fest
07/02-03 Lisbon, POR – VOA Heavy Rock Festival

Thanks to MetalSucks contributing photographer Tom Delgado for the tip!