Down with the System

A Memoir (of Sorts)

De: Serj Tankian

Narrado por: Serj Tankian

Duración: 9 h y 57 m

Resumen del Editor

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

A must for every SOAD fun and not only

An honest and touching self biography by Serj Tankian that tells not only his perspective of SOAD story but also the context and background that defined his perosnal search for justice through art and activism. Was so capitvated that I've finshed listening to it within two day

Amazing

He is so lovable, and insigjtful! His voice is soothing, this book is charming, and educational

Beautiful memoir, deeper than I expected

I loved this memoir. It first caught my attention because I'm a fan of SOAD, but this is much more than a music bio. Serj Tankian also shares his experiences as an immigrant, an activist, and an artist. I will acknowledge that some awkward sentence breaks or pauses and mispronunciations could be mildly distracting at times, but I would never have anyone else narrate this other than Serj himself. It all added to the book's charm.

Fascinating and informative

I’ve been a fan of Seth’s music for years, but was excited to learn about his activism and his history. It was also intriguing to learn about the ups and downs of System of a Down and all his other projects. I definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes music, politics, activism, and recent geopolitical history.

THANK YOU SERJ

I came into this book like most system fans I assume. wanting to hear the tea on the band. in which you do get. but in return you get SO MUCH MORE. the history the struggle the memories the love the respect the creativeness.
We maybe from very different worlds and experienced a very different life. but some things in people I believe we share, some of the experiences and thoughts, even though we do not realize it. when listening I found myself screaming. I GET THAT!! YES!!! this is a truly one of a kind book.
I got the book and got the audio so I could listen in the car and not harm the pages in the book. but once I started listening. I couldn't stop.
thank you serj for writing this.
You'll never truly know how greatful I am

Wow!! Not what i expected!

I thought I knew what I was getting into but this book is soooo much more than I could’ve imagined. Highly recommend!

Amazing

As a long time SOAD, this was everything we needed & more. Serj diving deep into his family history and his own struggles as an immigrant, musician, artist, absolutely amazing writing. Thank you, Serj!

A stirring tale that enlightens and enriches.

I always love when an author narrates their own books, and Serj truly spins a story to you about his life. As a lifelong fan of SOAD I was immediately enthralled to listen but didn't expect just how captivated I would be by Armenia's struggle and the effect is has for generations to come. The ups and downs of band life and heartstring pulling memories from Serj's past keep you engaged with every chapter. A riveting 10/10 from me!

Wow!

Amazing book, full of historical lessons and life ones as well - besides the band’s, of course.

In gratitude for this insightful autobiography

Fascinating and enlightening. Thank you. This has made me much more mindful of not only how to approach the plight of others, but also how to navigate my own journey. Also, SOAD has always been one of my favorite bands since 1995.