SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian was asked in a new interview with KROQ’s Kevan Kenney what, in his opinion, made his band so musically different from some of its peers. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “There was a lot of things. The music, first of all, we just kind of did our own thing. It wasn’t that the other stuff wasn’t good.

“We’ve been inspired by a lot,” he continued. “We listen to a lot of music. Daron [Malakian, guitar] listens to a lot of music, [as do] Serj [Tankian, vocals] [and] John [Dolmayan, drums]. And I think it’s the way it’s also arranged. Daron has a really great ear and style and songwriting ability. So even if I brought riffs in, he just arranges ’em in a different way. And then Serj’s vocals — those are not normal. And John’s drumming, it is what it is. But, yeah, there’s a difference, and we just kind of ran with it. And it’s what we can do together. When we start playing, that’s what we sound like together — those four guys.”

SYSTEM OF A DOWN has toured intermittently since ending its hiatus in 2011, but has only managed to record two songs in the last 16 years, “Protect The Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”. Released in November 2020, the tracks were motivated by the conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with all proceeds supporting humanitarian efforts in SYSTEM OF A DOWN’s ancestral homeland of Armenia. Along with other donations from fans on their social pages, they have raised over $600,000.

In 2018, Malakian publicly accused Tankian of not wanting to record, with Tankian responding that creative and financial issues with Malakian led to the stalemate. In a message on Facebook, Tankian wrote that Malakian wanted to control SYSTEM’s creative process, take more of the publishing money and be the only bandmember to speak to the press.

In an interview with Guitar World magazine, Malakian was asked about the chances of more new music from SYSTEM OF A DOWN in the near future. He responded: “I never say never, but at the same time, I’m not expecting to do any more with SYSTEM OF A DOWN right away or immediately after [these two songs]. It really does seem like our fans like these new songs. That’s important to me.”

He continued: “We’ve added two new songs to the SYSTEM catalog that are on the level with everything else that we’ve put out and our fans have accepted it that way, which means a lot to me. That’s kinda where we’re gonna leave it for now. If more happens later on, then we’ll talk about that, but for now I will continue doing what I’m doing and everyone else will just continue what they’re doing. It’s all cool though, I’m really pleased with the response we got.”

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You could WIN a VPJR Tuner from Ernie Ball in today’s I Love Pedals giveaway! Ends Feb. 24, 2022.Ernie Ball VPJR TunerThe VPJR Tuner pedal combines Ernie Ball’s world-renowned volume pedal with an enhanced definition digital guitar tuner. In the heel-down position, the pedal’s vibrant touchscreen automatically enters tuner mode, allowing for silent tuning. As the foot sweeps forward, the screen switches to volume mode, providing a graphic display of your volume level. Alternatively, the screen can remain in volume mode or tuner mode, regardless of the pedal’s position in the sweep. Simply double tap on the touchscreen to toggle between modes. The VPJR Tuner provides the same rugged construction and time-tested performance as Ernie Ball’s traditional volume pedal, resulting in the most useful guitar tuner pedal on the market.I Love Pedals Day #23: Ernie Ball

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In a new interview with Remy Maxwell of Audacy Check In, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford was asked if he agrees with guitarist Richie Faulkner’s recent comment that the band’s upcoming album will be more musically “progressive” than 2018’s “Firepower”. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Yeah, the metal is there. But here’s the thing: we’ve tried our best not to replicate anything that we’ve done. From ‘Rocka Rolla’ all the way through to ‘Firepower’, each record has had a distinctive character. And it’s tough because fans go, ‘We want another ‘Painkiller’,’ ‘We want another ‘British Steel’.’ And [it’s, like], ‘Dude, we’ve already done that.’

“Fans know that we’re a band that is always full of adventure and trying new stuff,” he continued. “And so, yeah, this has got probably some more progressive elements that we’ve never really delved into before. And that’s exciting, because, again, it gives us and our fans another opportunity to see a different side of PRIEST. But it’s still metal. There’s just more of it. There are more notes than there were before.”

Earlier this month, Faulkner told Canada’s The Metal Voice about the progress of the songwriting sessions for PRIEST’s next album: “Since the ‘Firepower’ tour, we all went our separate ways, like we do, and we’ve always got ideas coming up; me, Rob and Glenn [Tipton, guitar], we sort of start to put ideas down. And we got together in early 2020 — me, Rob and Glenn; and [co-producer and touring guitarist] Andy Sneap was there as well — and we pooled all our ideas together and we started the first writing session. So we got together a batch of songs that were by no means finished, but they were developed enough that we could call them songs. So we could give them working titles. They were demos, if that makes sense. So we had a batch of demos. And then since then, we’ve been trying to find an opportunity where we can all get together and develop ’em further and record them. But, obviously, with the restrictions of the lockdown and the pandemic…”

He continued: “We wanna be together as a band to iron out those creases. If the three of us got together with a group of songs and we played them together, it’s, like, ‘Oh, that one needs a bit of fat trimmed there,’ ‘That’s too long’ or ‘We need to put some more guitar solos in there.’ It becomes evident when you play together what songs need. So we’ve been looking for an opportunity to do that. It’s been tough with the travel restrictions — some of us live over here; some of us live over there — so it’s been tough. But we have started recording some and getting it put together with those restrictions, because we wanna get it done, but it’s obviously taking longer than we’d like, really, because of the pandemic. Obviously, now we’ve got the tour coming up and hopefully we can get on the road and stay on the road, so we’re gonna work around that flow. So I wouldn’t like to say when it’s gonna be finished and when it’s gonna be out, but we are working on it and we are dedicated to getting it done, getting those songs down and then getting it out to the world. But, obviously, we’re nowhere near a release date, but we are dedicated on working on it and getting it done to the best of our ability, for sure.”

As for the musical direction of the new PRIEST material, Faulkner said: “Whenever you start a record, you never know how it’s gonna turn out. So you might start with an idea of what it’s gonna be, and as it kind of rolls on, it comes out something different. So you don’t quite know. And also it’s really hard to sum up your own music, I find, without sounding really pretentious. But I think this one — it’s not ‘Firepower 2’, I don’t think. It’s its own thing, it’s its own animal. If anything, I would say it’s a bit more progressive in places, and in places it’s got a bit more of that ‘Killing Machine’ swagger.”

Faulkner added: “I know everyone says, ‘Oh, is it the next ‘Painkiller’?’ or ‘Is it the next…?’ whatever… I don’t know if they’d ever done it, but I know we’ve never done it when I’ve been in the band; we’ve never tried to recreate an album. It’s always we try to create an album that stands on its own legs. So I think it’s definitely a little bit more progressive than ‘Firepower’ and, as I said, in places it’s got a little bit of that ‘Killing Machine’ angry swagger attitude going on. But again, as I said, we’re waiting to see what it turns out like, ’cause it could turn out completely different.”

Last March, Halford confirmed that PRIEST’s next album will see the band reuniting with the “Firepower” production team consisting of Sneap, longtime collaborator Tom Allom and engineer Mike Exeter (BLACK SABBATH).

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease eight years ago after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier. Tipton announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of “Firepower”. He was replaced by Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

Some of the other members of PRIEST have also dealt with various health setbacks in recent years. Halford recently publicly revealed that he battled prostate cancer during the pandemic. He previously mentioned his cancer battle in the new chapter added to the updated paperback edition of his autobiography, “Confess”. In “Confess”, Halford revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing symptoms for at least a couple of years.

In July 2020, Rob underwent prostatectomy, an operation where the entire prostate gland is removed plus some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles. After more cancer was found last year, he went through radiation treatments in April and May 2021 and eventually got then all-clear in June 2021. He also had an appendectomy after a tumor was discovered on his appendix.

Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during the band’s performance at the Louder Than Life festival in late September. Faulkner was rushed to the UofL Health – Jewish Hospital where the cardiothoracic surgery team needed approximately 10 hours to complete a life-saving surgery.

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Aftershock festival will return to Discovery Park in Sacramento, California on October 6-9, 2022 bigger than ever, expanding to four full days (after a half fourth day in 2021), adding a fourth music stage and featuring over 90 bands. The latest edition aims to top 2021’s record-setting, sold-out attendance, which marked five consecutive sold-out events for Aftershock.

The weekend’s stellar lineup of rock and metal heavyweights features headliners SLIPKNOT and ROB ZOMBIE (Thursday), KISS and JUDAS PRIEST (Friday), MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and PAPA ROACH (Saturday) and FOO FIGHTERS and SHINEDOWN (Sunday), along with a range of additional top music artists including BRING ME THE HORIZON, EVANESCENCE, LAMB OF GOD, A DAY TO REMEMBER, ARCHITECTS, HALESTORM, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, CHEVELLE, and many more.

Aftershock passes are on sale now at www.AftershockFestival.com.

PAPA ROACH’s Jacoby Shaddix said: “I am over the moon stoked to be one of the headliners of Aftershock this year. Honestly, this is like a dream come true. We have worked our whole career for moments like this, and cannot wait to be back in Sacramento, where it all began, for the hometown throwdown!!!! NorCal better be f**king ready, ’cause it’s about to go down at Aftershock 2022!!!!!”

“Aftershock is one of our favorite festivals. Always an amazing weekend. We are ready to take it to the next level this year,” says Rob Zombie.

Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE adds: “We are so stoked to play at Aftershock in Sacramento this fall! MCR, FOO FIGHTERS, KISS, SLIPKNOT, there’s so much to look forward to! We absolutely cannot wait for this epic festival.”

Sacramento Bee has called Aftershock “one of the country’s most anticipated hard rock events.” The 2021 event is estimated to have brought in $30 million to the local economy, with 75% of the attendees traveling to Aftershock from outside the region, according to Mike Testa, CEO of Visit Sacramento.

The current Aftershock 2022 lineup is as follows (subject to change):

Thursday, October 6:

SLIPKNOT
ROB ZOMBIE
EVANESCENCE
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
BAD RELIGION
GHOSTEMANE
NOTHING MORE
ICE NINE KILLS
ALEXISONFIRE
CODE ORANGE
FEVER 333
CROWN THE EMPIRE
AMIGO THE DEVIL
HO99O9
POORSTACY
NEW YEARS DAY
CHERRY BOMBS
VENDED
IF I DIE FIRST
SOLENCE
SUPERBLOOM
BLOODYWOOD

Friday, October 7:

KISS
JUDAS PRIEST
LAMB OF GOD
CHEVELLE
FALLING IN REVERSE
MESHUGGAH
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
CLUTCH
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE
SPIRITBOX
JINJER
GWAR
APOCALYPTICA
HELMET
JERIS JOHNSON
PLUSH
CROSSFAITH
NITA STRAUSS
AGAINST THE CURRENT
MIKE’S DEAD
WARGASM
NEMOPHILA
ORBIT CULTURE
ARCHETYPES COLLIDE

Saturday, October 8:

MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
PAPA ROACH
A DAY TO REMEMBER
HALESTORM
YUNGBLUD
THE DISTILLERS
THEORY OF A DEADMAN
BEARTOOTH
CITY MORGUE
ENTER SHIKARI
THRICE
THURSDAY
THE CHATS
AIRBOURNE
LILITH CZAR
ZEAL & ARDOR
TAIPEI HUSTON
POINT NORTH
TRASH BOAT
DEAD POET SOCIETY
MOTHICA
EGO KILL TALENT
CROOKED TEETH

Sunday, October 9:

FOO FIGHTERS
SHINEDOWN
BRING ME THE HORIZON
ARCHITECTS
ACTION BRONSON
THE PRETTY RECKLESS
THE INTERRUPTERS
THE STRUTS
UNDEROATH
JELLY ROLL
DIRTY HONEY
ZAKK SABBATH
BAYSIDE
DEAD SARA
ROYAL & THE SERPENT
CAROLESDAUGHTER
THE WARNING
MAGGIE LINDEMANN
BAND-MAID
THE MYSTERINES
THE ALIVE
EVA UNDER FIRE
JARED JAMES NICHOLS

Aftershock Weekend General Admission passes start at $359.99 plus fees and Weekend VIP passes are already at level two pricing, $699.99 plus fees. Single Day General Admission passes start at $119.99 plus fees. Single Day VIP passes start at $269.99 plus fees. Layaway options are available for only $10.00 down through March 31, with payments amortized over five months (April-August). Festivalgoers are encouraged to buy early and save since prices will increase in the coming weeks and traditionally sell out prior to the event.

Pass purchasers will receive info about the festival’s Park & Ride shuttle program closer to the show, as there is no onsite parking at Aftershock.

Aftershock VIP passes offer the opportunity for fans to “live their best life,” enjoying the ultimate festival experience. VIP pass-holders will enter the festival through the express, VIP-Only Entrance lanes, using a commemorative Aftershock VIP laminate and wristband which also provide full access to the Aftershock VIP area. Throughout the VIP areas on the festival grounds, VIPs will enjoy the tree-shaded lounge spaces, and have access to a main stage viewing area, dedicated bars, specialty food vendors, a festival merchandise booth, private locker rentals with charging capabilities (for additional purchase), a free water refill station, air-conditioned and flushable restroom facilities, and a dedicated VIP guest services team. The VIP Lounge offers a private bar, comfortable lounge seating, and live audio/video streams of the main stages. In addition, all Aftershock VIPs will get a front row view of That Space Zebra show commentary and exclusive artist interviews.

All attendees at Aftershock can enjoy a variety of onsite food and beverage offerings curated by Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC, DWP’s affiliate concessionaire, including some of the best food and drinks that the Sacramento area has to offer.

Aftershock is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America. Additional DWP events include Bourbon & Beyond, Epicenter, Hometown Rising, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art + Music Festival and Welcome To Rockville.

Discovery Park is conveniently located near downtown Sacramento at 1600 Garden Highway, at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers.

For more information, visit www.AftershockFestival.com.

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