There is a specific band that System of a Down opened for early of their profession that Serj Tankian stated was like going by “rock ‘n’ roll boot camp.”
System’s eponymous debut album got here out in 1998, and a specific steel band who had additionally simply launched a report invited them out on tour. Tankian recalled the trek in his 2024 autobiography Down With the System [via Metal Hammer].
“We have been opening for Slayer, which was an enormous alternative for a band who hadn’t but launched their first album,” the frontman wrote.
Slayer’s Diabolus in Musica got here out the identical month as System’s debut — however it was their eighth report, in order that they already had an extremely loyal fanbase by that time. And in accordance with Tankian, a lot of Slayer’s fanbase did not look after the fledgling band.
“That tour was like going to rock ’n’ roll boot camp. Slayer followers famously love Slayer and hate nearly every part and everybody else. As their opening act, the gang noticed us because the one factor standing between them and Slayer,” Tankian defined, noting that their tribal make-up and flashy outfits did not make the state of affairs higher.
“In reality, after we’d take the stage, we’d usually be dealing with a wall of crossed arms and prolonged center fingers,” he added.
Nonetheless, System of a Down held their heads excessive and finally earned the respect of some Slayer followers. That is to not say there weren’t moments the place they discovered it extremely laborious to take action although, particularly when concertgoers introduced controversy into the combination — Nazi symbolism, for instance.
READ MORE: 10 Rock + Steel Bands With the Most Diehard Fanbases
The vocalist remembered, “…We have been onstage in Poland being pelted with cash by followers who have been additionally elevating Nazi salutes in our course. At one level, I used to be hit within the face with a bagel and misplaced my shit. I advised our lighting man to level the lights into the viewers and goal the bagel-thrower. Then I launched into an offended tirade and threatened to begin kicking folks’s asses. After I completed, the venue went useless silent.”
System walked off the stage at that present as a result of habits of the gang.
Inside a couple of years, System garnered a faithful fanbase of their very own and went on their very own headlining excursions. As they are saying, it’s a must to pay your dues.
The Greatest Steel Album of Every 12 months Since 1970
See Loudwire’s picks for the Greatest Steel Album of Every 12 months Since 1970.
Gallery Credit score: Loudwire Employees
