Editing Serj Tankian (section)

==Career==
[[File:Serj Tankian 2006 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Tankian in 2006]]

===System of a Down (1994–present)===
{{Main|System of a Down}}

The beginnings of System of a Down lie in a band named Soil (not to be confused with the Chicago-based band [[Soil (American band)|SOiL]]) with Tankian on vocals & keyboards, Malakian on vocals & lead guitar, Dave Hakopyan on bass, and Domingo Laranio on drums. The band initially hired Odadjian as their manager before he was to transition into their rhythm guitarist.
Laranio and Hakopyan later left the band feeling that it was not going anywhere, leading to Soil splitting up.

After the split, Tankian, Odadjian and Malakian formed System of a Down, named after a poem Malakian wrote called ''Victims of a Down''. The band recruited drummer Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian, an old school friend of Malakian, and Odadjian who had played with Malakian in a band called Snowblind during their teens. In mid-1997, Khachaturian left the band because of a hand injury (he subsequently co-founded The Apex Theory, which included former Soil bassist Dave Hakopyan). Khachaturian was replaced by [[John Dolmayan]]. Dolmayan is also the drummer for the band Indicator and former drummer for [[Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway|Scars on Broadway]].

The band began touring the [[Southern California]] rock clubs, building a strong following.

The band achieved commercial success with the release of five studio albums, three of which debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. System of a Down has been nominated for four [[Grammy Awards]], and their song "[[B.Y.O.B. (song)|B.Y.O.B.]]" won the [[Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance|Best Hard Rock Performance]] of 2006. In May the same year, the band announced they were going on hiatus.<ref>{{Cite news  |last=Harris |first=Chris |date=May 3, 2006 |title=System of a Down Aren't Breaking Up—They're Going on Hiatus|work=MTV News |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1530066/20060503/system_of_a_down.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060915122759/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1530066/20060503/system_of_a_down.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2006 |access-date=February 2, 2009}}</ref>

On November 29, 2010, following several weeks of internet rumors, System of a Down officially announced that they would play shows in Europe during Festivals and in North America, mostly in the U.S.,<ref>{{cite web|last=Karan|first=Tim|date=November 29, 2010|title=System Of A Down to reunite, headline Download Festival|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/system_of_a_down_to_reunite_co-headline_download_festival_with_avenged_seve/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001082758/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/system_of_a_down_to_reunite_co-headline_download_festival_with_avenged_seve/|archive-date=October 1, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2010|work=[[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]}}</ref> embarking on [[System of a Down Reunion Tour|a tour]] for the following three years.

The band was in limbo of not releasing any new tracks until November 2020, when they released "[[Protect the Land]]" and "[[Genocidal Humanoidz]]", which were songs that were made to help the cause of the [[Casualties of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War|Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]]. The song's profits went to the [[Armenia Fund]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/news/system-of-a-down-first-music-in-15-years/|title=Here's why System Of A Down released their first new music in 15 years|first=Rachael|last=Dowd|website=Altpress.com|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=January 19, 2021}}</ref>

In the following years, System of a Down increasingly limited their live appearances.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Childers |first=Chad |date=April 28, 2024 |title=Setlist + Video - System of a Down Headline 2024 Sick New World Festival |url=https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-sick-new-world-2024-setlist-video/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Loudwire]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 14, 2023, the band hosted their only live performance of the year as co-headliners of the Sick New World festival in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kress |first=Brian |date=May 14, 2023 |title=System of a Down Close Sick New World 2023: Video + Setlist |url=https://consequence.net/2023/05/system-of-a-down-sick-new-world-2023-watch/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, the band performed two gigs, making headline appearances at Sick New World on April 27,<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Emily |date=April 28, 2024 |title=Here's System Of A Down's epic Sick New World setlist |url=https://www.kerrang.com/heres-system-of-a-downs-epic-sick-new-world-setlist/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Kerrang!]] |language=en-US}}</ref> and at a standalone concert (together with [[Deftones]]) at the [[Golden Gate Park]] in [[San Francisco]], the first-ever ticketed live event to take place at the venue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Ariel |date=April 9, 2024 |title=Another Planet Entertainment Announces One-Night Event With System Of A Down & Deftones In Golden Gate Park, Potential For More |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2024/04/09/another-planet-announces-one-night-event-with-system-of-a-down-deftones-in-golden-gate-park-potential-for-more/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Pollstar]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauryn |date=April 9, 2024 |title=System of a Down + Deftones Announce First of Its Kind Show at Historic Venue |url=https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-deftones-first-show-historic-venue-2024/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Loudwire]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===''Elect the Dead'', side projects, and guest appearances (2007–2009)===
[[File:Serj Tankian en concert durant la tournée Elect the Dead.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Tankian touring with his backing band, [[Flying Cunts of Chaos]], in 2008]]
Tankian's breakthrough as a solo artist came with the release of his debut record ''[[Elect the Dead]]''. The first singles from ''Elect the Dead'' are "[[The Unthinking Majority]]" and "[[Empty Walls]]". The music video "Feed Us" was released on the Swedish<ref>[http://www.mtv.se Swedish MTV]. MTV.se.</ref> and UK<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtv2/music/18102007/377636/hear_serj_tankians_album_here |title=MTV Rocks |publisher=MTV.co.uk |access-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201203518/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtv2/music/18102007/377636/hear_serj_tankians_album_here |archive-date=February 1, 2009}}</ref> MTV. A music video was directed and filmed for every song on the record, each by unique directors. Tankian explained, "I asked each of the directors for their visual interpretation of my work. They were asked not to write treatments and that they could make whatever they liked. The results have been overwhelmingly amazing!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=79584 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - SYSTEM OF A DOWN Frontman To Post Videos For Each Track On Forthcoming Solo Album |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606233015/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=79584 |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>

Three different promo versions of the album have surfaced to the public. The instrumental promotional version, issued by Serjical Strike/Reprise Records and intended for the music and movie industry, contains instrumental versions of the twelve album tracks. Another promotional version, issued by Reprise Records and made only for individual reviewers, features the album in final master form. This promotional CD-R, which was labeled "Smart Talk" as a codename for "Serj Tankian" to prevent leaking by unauthorized persons, also indicates that the album was finalized prior to {{Start date|2007|08|20}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/39153/2002058948060913209_rs.jpg |title=Webshots - Kilchurn Castle, Argyll and Bute, Scotland |access-date=December 21, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20101223002627/http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/39153/2002058948060913209_rs.jpg |archive-date=December 23, 2010 }}</ref>

The official tour for ''Elect the Dead'' commenced on October 12, 2007, with a show at Chicago's [[Vic Theatre]]. Roughly one thousand people attended the first concert. Although Tankian had stated he would not be performing any material by System of a Down, he performed "Charades" and "Blue", songs co-written by Daron Malakian, the guitarist of the band. "Blue" had previously appeared on their Fourth Demo Tape in 1998, and Charades was attempted during the 2005 ''Mezmerize''/''Hypnotize'' sessions, but never released (although a short video clip of Tankian and Dolmayan playing the song in a recording studio was featured on "the Making of ''Mezmerize''/''Hypnotize''"). Although it is originally a song restricted to piano and vocals, {{Anchor|The F.C.C.}}Tankian used his backing band, the [[Flying Cunts of Chaos]] (F.C.C.).<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 30, 2010|title=The F.C.C. Releases First Single|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/the-f-c-c-releases-first-single/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]}}</ref>

Tankian is also politically involved. Together with [[Tom Morello]], he founded the organization [[Axis of Justice]] and often speaks publicly against violence and injustice in the world. Tankian released a new song "Fears" in November 2008 exclusively in support of [[Amnesty International]]'s Global Write-A-Thon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/musicforhumanrights/ |title=Music for Human Rights |publisher=Amnestyusa.org |access-date=April 14, 2010}}</ref>

In 2009, Tankian collaborated with the band [[Viza]] (previously known as Visa) for their track "Viktor".<ref name="VISA fansite.">{{cite web|url=http://www.visabandfans.com/Videos/display/videoid/18?name=News&file=article&sid=685&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 |title=Serj Tankian &VISA |access-date=December 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717213951/http://www.visabandfans.com/Videos/display/videoid/18?name=News&file=article&sid=685&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 |archive-date=July 17, 2011}}</ref>

=== ''Imperfect Harmonies'' (2010) ===
Tankian's second solo album was originally due in 2009. It is said to be more of a [[jazz]] and [[orchestral]] based sound. Tankian said of the second album: {{blockquote|I'm structuring the next record kind of like a jazz orchestral. I've got a full orchestra interested, so I want this giant electric guitar in the air to be played by a full orchestra. I want the orchestra to be the electric guitar. I want to make an orchestra do what it's never done before, like a [[GG Allin]] type orchestra. Think of that.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/serj_tankian_talks_soad_next_solo_album.html |title=Serj Tankian Talks SOAD, Next Solo Album &#124; News @ |publisher=Ultimate-guitar.com |access-date=April 14, 2010}}</ref>}} The album had the working title ''Music Without Borders'', however, the final album title is ''Imperfect Harmonies''. On June 23, 2010, a promo single from his upcoming album ''Imperfect Harmonies'' was released called "Borders Are". The first radio single from'' Imperfect Harmonies'', "Left of Center", was released on July 13, 2010. A third single, "Disowned Inc." was released on August 9, 2010. ''[[Imperfect Harmonies]]'' was released on September 21, 2010. Preceding the album's release, two contests were announced (one consisting of brainteasers related to the album/song titles, the other an art contest) in which fans could win prizes such as Tankian's autograph and merchandise. On August 22, 2010, a music video for "Left of Center" was released on Tankian's [[MySpace]] account.
[[File:Serj Tankian in Armenia, 2011.jpg|thumb|Tankian in Armenia, 2011]]

The premiere date for Tankian and Sater's ''Prometheus Bound'' at the American Repertory Theater was February 25, 2011. Tankian said that collaborating on the show has been a great learning experience for him. "I've been using a lot of my archives, a lot of different types of music that I had already put together for underscoring and what not," he said. "It's quite diverse, from noise to jazz to electronic stuff to hip-hop songs to rock songs to cool, piano dark underscores, and that's a whole different bag of tricks there because it's always evolving. Unlike a film score that's very linear and you get a scene to score for, this is something where you do another workshop and one song is gone, that underscore changes to 20 seconds and they need something else on the spot. Everything's always changing until the show comes, so it's quite interesting."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bryanreesman.com/blog/2010/10/07/serj-tankian-discusses-orchestral-work-a-r-t-musical-armenian-show/ |title=Serj Tankian Discusses New Directions, A.R.T. Musical, Armenian Show |publisher=Attention Deficit Delirium |access-date=October 7, 2010}}</ref>

In January 2011, Tankian released a music video for his song "Reconstructive Demonstrations" from his album ''Imperfect Harmonies''. Tankian also announced on his Facebook page, during the video's release, that an EP titled ''[[Imperfect Remixes]]'' would be released sometime within 2011. On March 1, Tankian released ''Imperfect Remixes'' and the music video for "Goodbye", a remix of "Gate 21" from ''Imperfect Harmonies''.

Tankian co-wrote a musical with the American playwright [[Steven Sater]]. It is based on the [[Ancient Greek]] tragedy ''[[Prometheus Bound]]''. It opened at the [[American Repertory Theater]] on March 14, 2011.<ref>[http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/21/serj-tankian-co-writing-a-musical/ ''Serj Tankian Co-Writing a Musical''] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120525100814/http://www.spinner.com/2008/05/21/serj-tankian-co-writing-a-musical/ |date=May 25, 2012 }}, Spinner. Retrieved May 22, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/prometheus-bound/ |title=Prometheus Bound &#124; A.R.T. |publisher=American Repertory Theater |access-date=May 28, 2011}}</ref>

===''Harakiri'' (2012), ''Orca'' (2013), and ''Jazz-iz-Christ'' (2013)===
[[File:System Of A Down @ Claremont Showgrounds (5 3 2012) (7005620145).jpg|thumb|left|Tankian performing with System of a Down at the 2012 [[Soundwave (Australian music festival)|Soundwave Festival]] in [[Perth]], Australia]]
In early July 2011, Tankian posted a video on YouTube showing two samples of new songs. During the video he said "next year". In multiple interviews he has stated that he has been working on a rock record that will be released in 2011, and some side projects including jazz, electronic, and symphonic records. It was later confirmed that his third album would be called ''[[Harakiri (album)|Harakiri]]'' and will be released on July 10, 2012. In 2012, he planned for this to be the first of four new albums.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tankian|first=Serj|date=April 3, 2012|title=New Record Coming!|url=http://www.serjtankian.com/news/new-record-coming|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111182516/http://www.serjtankian.com/news/new-record-coming|archive-date=November 11, 2012|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=Serj Tankian's official website}}</ref> The first single from ''Harakiri'', "Figure It Out", was released on May 1.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tankian|first=Serj|date=April 25, 2012|title= Figure It Out, Single Coming May 1st|url=http://www.serjtankian.com/news/figure-it-out-single-coming-may-1st|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127083840/http://www.serjtankian.com/news/figure-it-out-single-coming-may-1st|archive-date=November 27, 2012|access-date=June 28, 2020|website=Serj Tankian's official website}}</ref> A music video for the song appeared on Tankian's official YouTube page. A second single from the album, "Cornucopia", was released on June 10. A third single, title track "Harakiri", was made available as a preorder bonus from Tankian's website on June 20.
[[File:Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Վարչապետի «ՀՀ Վարչապետի հուշամեդալ».jpg|thumb|189x189px|Commemorative Medal of the [[Prime Minister of Armenia]]]]
On August 12, 2011, Tankian traveled to Armenia, where he was received at [[Government House, Yerevan|Government House]] by then-[[Prime Minister of Armenia|Prime Minister]] [[Tigran Sargsyan]], who awarded him with a Commemorative Medal ({{Langx|hy|ՀՀ Վարչապետի հուշամեդալ}})<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=August 13, 2011|title=Հայաստանի վարչապետի հուշամեդալ՝ Սերժ Թանկյանին|trans-title=Prime Minister of Armenia gives medal to Serj Tankian|url=https://www.azatutyun.am/a/24295657.html|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=[[Radio Free Europe]]|language=hy |last1=ռ/կ |first1=Ազատություն }}</ref> for his "contribution to the [[recognition of the Armenian Genocide]] and the advancement of music".<ref name=":0" /> Tankian promised to return and put on a concert to commemorate the [[100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide]],<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> which he did on April 24, 2015, playing for free for over two hours in [[Yerevan]]'s [[Republic Square, Yerevan|Republic Square]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Kaye|first=Ben|date=April 23, 2015|title=System of a Down make Armenia proud with massive 37-song set -- watch|url=https://consequence.net/2015/04/replay-system-of-a-downs-massive-first-ever-concert-in-armenia-watch/|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=[[Consequence of Sound]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=December 31, 2015|script-title=hy:Նախագահների այցը Հայաստան, «System of a down» ռոք խմբի համերգը… Հայաստանը` աշխարհի ուշադրության կենտրոնում (ֆոտո)|trans-title=Presidents visit Armenia, System of a Down holds concert...Armenia, the center of the world's attention (photos)|work=Ժողովուրդ|url=https://armlur.am/466861/|access-date=June 28, 2020|trans-work=Zhoghovurd}}</ref>

He released his fourth studio album ''[[Orca Symphony No. 1]]'' on June 25, 2013. The album takes the form of a classical symphony.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.noisecreep.com/2012/05/10/serj-tankian-solo-album/|title = Serj Tankian on Being Eclectic, Growing Up in Lebanon and His Relationship With Heavy Metal|website = [[Noisecreep]]|date = May 10, 2012}}</ref> A professionally sampled studio version was released on November 30, 2012, while the live recorded version was released on June 25, 2013, through [[Serjical Strike Records]].<ref name=Release>{{Cite web|url=http://www.serjtankian.com/news/serj-releasing-two-albums-june-and-july-announces-tour-dates |title=Serj Releasing Two Albums in June and July, Announces Tour Dates |publisher=Serj Tankian |date=April 25, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307195500/http://www.serjtankian.com/news/serj-releasing-two-albums-june-and-july-announces-tour-dates |archive-date=March 7, 2014}}</ref>

His fifth studio album ''[[Jazz-Iz-Christ]]'' was released on July 23, 2013, by Serjical Strike Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/jazz-iz-christ-feat-tigran/664999652 |title=iTunes - Music - Jazz-Iz Christ (feat. Tigran Hamasyan, Valeri Tolstov & Tom Duprey) by Serj Tankian |publisher=[[iTunes]] |access-date=June 26, 2013}}</ref> The release features Tankian's vocals on only four of the 15 tracks; all others are instrumental, except for "End of Time", which features a female vocalist. In 2014, he collaborated with Italian DJ [[Benny Benassi]] for the single "Shooting Helicopters".

On April 9, 2013, Tankian collaborated with [[Device (metal band)|Device]], a project led by [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] frontman [[David Draiman]]. He had a guest appearance on the song "Out of Line" on [[Device (Device album)|Device's self-titled album]].
Tankian also appeared on the [[Tech N9ne]] album ''[[Something Else (Tech N9ne album)|Something Else]]'' in 2013 on the song "Straight Out the Gate".

=== Film and television scores (2017–2022) ===
He was a surprise guest performer for the [[Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience]] in Los Angeles on March 25, 2017, singing "[[The Rains of Castamere (song)|The Rains of Castamere]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIGlTIdWn8Y| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/iIGlTIdWn8Y| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Game of Thrones Live HD - Serg Tankian Sings Rains of Castamere - Red Wedding|last=Vicente III Travel Videos|date=March 28, 2017|access-date=May 8, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> His rendition of the song also made it onto the soundtrack for the eighth season of ''Game of Thrones'' in 2019.

In June and July 2017, he was a guest on multiple shows of the [[Prophets of Rage]] during System of a Down's European tour, singing "[[Like a Stone]]" in memory of his friend, [[Audioslave]]'s [[Chris Cornell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4LLqxoq-J0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/F4LLqxoq-J0| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Prophets of Rage ft. Serj Tankian live @ Pinkpop 2017. Song: Like a stone. Tribute to Chris Cornell| date=June 6, 2017|access-date=June 22, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In November 2017, Swedish independent label Woah Dad! acquired the albums that Tankian recorded for [[Reprise Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lindqvist|first=Johan|date=November 15, 2017|title=Göteborgsbolaget Woah dad satsar internationellt|trans-title=Gothenburg company "Woah dad" to invest internationally|url=http://www.gp.se/1.4832023|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=[[Göteborgs-Posten]]|language=sv}}</ref>

Tankian composed music for ''[[I Am Not Alone]]'', a 2019 documentary film about the [[2018 Armenian revolution]].<ref name=isador>Graham Isador, [https://www.vice.com/en/article/system-of-a-downs-serj-tankian-on-making-music-for-a-revolution/ "System of a Down's Serj Tankian on Making Music for a Revolution"]. ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'', September 13, 2019.</ref> He was also an executive producer of the film.

Tankian composed the music for the second season of the [[Netflix]] series ''[[Down to Earth with Zac Efron]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/serj-tankian-composed-the-music-for-zac-efrons-netflix-show-down-to-earth-3347996|title=Serj Tankian composed the music for Zac Efron's Netflix show 'Down To Earth'|last=Richards|first=Will|date=November 12, 2022|publisher=[[NME]]|accessdate=June 5, 2022}}</ref>

==== ''Fuktronic'' (2020) ====
''Fuktronic'', an electronic music collaboration with [[Mindless Self Indulgence]]'s [[Jimmy Urine]] was released in May 2020, after the duo released a sample on [[SoundCloud]]. ''Fuktronic'' is described as "the team of Serj Tankian and Jimmy Urine from Mindless Self Indulgence, making a soundtrack for the ultimate British Gangster Film. It's an electronic album with 12 tracks (4 instrumental and 8 tracks that have original scripted dialogue that portrays the trials and tribulations of a fresh out of prison British gangster who hasn't learned his lesson)."<ref>{{cite web|title=SOAD's Serj Tankian and Jimmy Urine Teaming Up for New Project Fuktronic|url=http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/soads_serj_tankian_and_jimmy_urine_teaming_up_for_new_project_fuktronic.html|access-date=May 8, 2017}}</ref>

==== ''Elasticity'' (2021) ====
Tankian released his first ever EP titled ''[[Elasticity (album)|Elasticity]]'' on March 19, 2021. He announced the release of his EP, and released the title track "Elasticity", along with a music video for it,<ref>{{cite web|title=Elasticity (Official Video)| website=[[YouTube]] | date=February 4, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oMDAfUpWyQ&ab_channel=serjtankian| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/5oMDAfUpWyQ| archive-date=October 30, 2021|access-date=February 5, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> on February 5, 2021. In his announcement, Tankian stated "When I conceived possibly doing another record with the guys from System of a Down a few years back, I started working on a set of songs that I arranged in rock format for that purpose, As we weren't able to see eye to eye on the vision going forward with a SOAD album, I decided to release these songs under my moniker."<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Serj Tankian Announces 'Elasticity' EP, Debuts Video for Title Track|date=February 5, 2021|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/serj-tankian-elasticity-ep-video-1124170/|website=www.rollingstone.com|access-date=February 5, 2021}}</ref> The EP features songs like "Electric Yerevan", which is described as a "rallying cry" for Armenia, "Rumi", a poetic song about Tankian's son, and "Your Mom", which has been described as a "political mash-up".<ref name="auto"/>

==== ''Perplex Cities'' (2022) ====
Tankian released his second EP titled ''[[Perplex Cities]]'' on October 21, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tankian |first=Serj |title=Perplex Cities |url=https://serjtankian.com/pages/perplex-cities |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=Serj Tankian |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Down With The System'' and new solo projects (2023–present) ===
In October 2023, Tankian announced that he would release his first [[memoir]], ''Down With the System'', on May 14, 2024, via [[Hachette Books]]; the artist wrote on [[Twitter|X]], "I had a blast working on this accidentally hatched philosophical memoir, as it's given me the unique opportunity to deep dive into my family history, my own motivations from a young age and lessons I didn't know I had learned".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rettig |first=James |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Serj Tankian Announces Memoir 'Down With The System' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2240290/serj-tankian-announces-memoir-down-with-the-system/news/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Stereogum]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Serj Tankian Announces Philosophical Memoir 'Down With the System' Out Next May |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/serj-tankian-memoir-down-with-the-system-1234861951/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2024, during an interview with ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' in promotion of ''Down With the System'', Tankian announced that he would release a new solo EP, titled ''Foundations'', in September of the same year; he also revealed that he had originally written one of the songs included in the project for System of a Down, while two other tracks had been recorded during the studio sessions for his 2007 solo album ''Elect the Dead.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brannigan |first=Paul |date=April 28, 2024 |title="It's called Foundations because it's the founding of my musical life." Serj Tankian's forthcoming Foundations EP will include an early unreleased System Of A Down song |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/serj-tankians-foundations-ep-unreleased-system-of-a-down |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Metal Hammer]] |publisher=Louder Sound |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trambusti |first=Luca |date=April 28, 2024 |title=√ Serj Tankian: esce un nuovo EP del frontman dei System Of A Down |url=https://www.rockol.it/news-744125/serj-tankian-frontman-system-of-a-down-ep-foundations-inediti-band |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=[[Rockol]] |language=it-IT}}</ref> The first single from the EP, "A.F. Day", was released on May 17 of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hadusek |first=Jon |date=April 29, 2024 |title=Serj Tankian Announces New EP, Teases Lead Single "A.F. Day" |url=https://consequence.net/2024/04/serj-tankian-foundations-ep-af-day-tease/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brannigan |first=Paul |date=May 17, 2024 |title='Dystopian in mood, it's a reflection of the angst and anti-authoritarian attitude I had to conformity.' Listen to Serj Tankian's 'new' single A.F. Day, originally written for System Of A Down |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/serj-tankian-af-day-system-of-a-down |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=[[Metal Hammer]] |publisher=Louder Sound |language=en-GB}}</ref>