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Down with the System

A Memoir (of Sorts)

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Down with the System

Written by: Serj Tankian
Narrated by: Serj Tankian
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About this listen

An exhilarating, thoughtful, and beautifully written memoir by musician, songwriter, and lead singer-lyricist of Grammy award-winning metal band, System Of A Down, Serj Tankian.

Serj Tankian will be the first to admit that his band, System Of A Down, was “unlikely a chart-topper as had ever existed in modern music history: a band of Armenian-Americans playing a practically unclassifiable clash of wildly aggressive metal riffs, unconventional tempo-twisting rhythms, and Armenian folk melodies, with me alternately growling, screaming, and crooning lyrics that could pivot from avant-garde silliness to raging socio-political rants in the space of a single line.” After all, as Serj concedes, “it’s not easy listening.”

Even so, there’s no doubt that System’s music had struck a chord with millions of listeners across the globe ever since they burst on the scene in the mid-1990s. With nearly 40 million album sales, three albums topping the Billboard charts, and a devoted legion of fans, the band dominated the alt-rock and metal scenes just as the world hurtled into a new millennium, redefining the very idea of what rockstars could and couldn’t talk about, could and couldn’t do, could and couldn’t represent.

In DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM, Serj presents listeners with a memoir that is far more than just a rock 'n' roll fable. It's an immigrant's tale, it’s an activist's awakening, and it's a spiritual journey from darkness toward light. And all of this comes down to the fact that Serj himself has had the chance to live an extraordinary life—thanks to a combination of luck, circumstance, struggle, talent, and spiritual awakening. Born to Armenian parents in Beirut, Serj grows up hearing bombs drop outside his childhood home during the country’s civil war, before moving to Los Angeles at the age of seven. As a young man, he is immersed in the SoCal community of “Little Armenia,” learning more and more about the brutal genocide faced by his ancestors while helping his parents adapt to the constraints and contradictions of the American Dream. Then, during a pivotal drive home from an LSAT class, Serj decides to turn away from a promising future in business and law to make music instead—a decision that leads him to touring five continents as the lead singer of a hugely popular rock band, hitting number #1 on the Billboard album charts the morning of 9/11, and then having the hit single from the same album banned from radio two days later. In the years that follow, his uniquely singular story continues, as he evades glass bottles hurled at a cancelled show by angry Slayer fans, teams up with Tom Morello to push social justice causes on unsuspecting metalheads, argues with LAPD officers over the best way to quell rioting fans, and defines new sounds and singing tactics with Rick Rubin.

Braiding together Serj’s thought-provoking insight with heartfelt and poetic prose, DOWN WITH THE SYSTEM retraces Serj’s remarkable and unlikely journey, and explores what it’s taught him—about music, about art, about activism, and about himself. It’s an unforgettable ride that will leave you breathless—and an absolute delight for new fans and old ones alike.

©2024 Serj Tankian (P)2024 Hachette Books
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What listeners say about Down with the System

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Great In Every Way

articulate and written with such depth. Far beyond System of a Down, though the story of the band interwoven through Serjs' person history is incredibly well told. Really feel like you know and understand the man so well by the end. Also written and narrated with a great attitude and energy.

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Very compelling

Very well written. Serj sharing the history of his people was interesting to hear, and the story of how he formed SOTD was very compelling. Loved the book in its entirety.
I just felt that his performance was not smooth. There were too many pauses in the middle of sentences that he was reading which made it pretty distracting. But his emotions were clear in his delivery which was great.

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Beyond the Music: Serj Tankian Unplugged.

As a fan of System of a Down, Down with the System by Serj Tankian is a must-listen. It blends personal stories with Serj's unique perspective on life, spirituality, and of course, stories of the rise and influence of System of a Down, their music and popularity. His reflections on both the band's rise and his broader worldview give a refreshing, thought-provoking experience. The audiobook feels like a deep conversation with Serj, where his raw honesty and philosophical musings shine through, making it a standout listen for any fan of his work.

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Amazing book, well worth another round or two

Great for System of a Down fans and beyond. Narrated by the legend himself. Loved the book start to finish.

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System of GREATNESS

I am only a cpl hrs in and i already cant get enough. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE SYSTEM OF A DOWN 🙏

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As if I couldn't admire Serj Tankian any more, he goes and writes a book and totally blows my mind!

This book taught me so much about him, Armenia and the genocide there. System of a Down has always been a love of mine and I wish as much that there was another album that this book didn't end. SO GOOD!

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Not a book about SOAD

Kind of a boring book overall. I love system of a down and got this book because of that, definitely left me realizing that Daron is the leader of the band, not Serj. I have to admit I like him a bit less after this.

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