4.5 ⭐️
Easily one of the best memoirs I’ve ever read. As a casual listener of System of a Down and some of Serj’s solo music from childhood on, I had always been intrigued by him. His detailing and activist focus on the Armenian history of the genocide through his family was super informative and shows how formative his stance and experiences were to the art he was creating. I highly recommend this one to anyone who may be interested. Now I’m gonna go stream Toxicity on loop for a while, bye!
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Hackett Books for the e-ARC!

Part history, part personal and family memoir, part musical memoir, there's so much packed into the pages of this book that are heartbreaking, surprising, educational, and spiritual.

I was always aware of the Armenian genocide by Turkey and the Ottomans, but to read such a visceral story of someone's family was devastating. Infuriating. It gave me another perspective on generational trauma and how to care and work through those emotions. It also really drove home the importance of knowing history and being aware when it's repeating itself. Given what's happening in Gaza right now, this felt especially poignant. The way Serj talks about Armenia and belonging also really spoke to me - I was lucky enough to travel to Poland and specifically the village my family came from and there is a feeling of knowing that's so hard to articulate unless you've experienced it. The concept of home and belonging is a theme in this memoir, and led to same great reflection on my own.

Another theme is the dichotomy between a musician and an artist. Serj sees himself as a creative, an artist, beyond just music or beyond one genre of music. This chronicles the formation of System of a Down from his perspective, the creation of their songs, the dynamics of the band, his feelings about making music and touring, and the breakdown of System. It was interesting to see his view when I've read other things in the media. It hurts to see a band that was so driven by a vision lose cohesion, but it's also rewarding when toward the end he talks about how much he truly likes and enjoys the members of the band as people. If you're a big fan of System, this is probably going to be frustrating for you. Sorry.

Serj talks a lot about the collective unconscious and while I'm not totally sold, I also believe that the universe puts what I need in front of me. As someone who is currently on an interesting and essential journey as it relates to meditation and my own creativity, this was a very reassuring book. It might be confirmation bias but it felt good to see a lot of my own feelings about creation reflected back at me, and I definitely took his statement about nonaggression versus passivity to heart as I work through my own meditative work.

A completely irrelevant comment - as someone who enjoys the study of phonetics and has strong feelings about consonant sounds, Armenian names are incredibly satisfying - a lot of s, r, k, and n sounds that made my brain tingle just reading them in my head.

This book hurt, but also helped invigorate me to keep speaking up and not be afraid of saying the right thing even when backlash might come. A worthwhile read for any creative to give perspective to work and motivations.

"Down with the System" by Serj Tankian was a fascinating look into rock and roll through the lens of an activist. I found the book both informative and inspiring. You could feel Serj's passion for Armenian history and diaspora and can see how it influenced his art. It was a fun read!

Wow, what an interesting read and nothing like I expected. The first thing you should know about this book is that Serj is an activist first and foremost and most of this book is an education on his family’s horrific history in the Armenia Genocide, education on the the injustices his people have faced, an ode to his passion projects - which to me isn’t System of a Down. This is not a book about salacious stories on the road as a metal band or even much about making of SOAD’s music, so if you are here for a System story - in all honesty this is not it. This book took me a while to get through as I am not much of a non-fiction political activism history reader and that is what this is at its core. Don’t get me wrong, I think there is a certain place in Serj’s heart for SOAD but to me he came off as a bit pompous and dare I say slightly resentful when it comes to the band that gave him his fame and fortune. What it did do for him, which he recognizes, is give him a platform for his activism and education to the masses on the Armenia genocide and denial of its existence. Be aware the first few chapters are a bit graphic and heartbreaking as he tells his grandfather’s story of seeing his family killed as a child. I did not know any of this, and felt shameful in my ignorance. In all honesty I went back through System’s catalog of music and listened with new ears to the lyrics. System first came onto the scene in 1998, I was 14, I didn’t know what I was singing along to.. fast forward to early 2000s when I was in college and going to Ozzfest and seeing System in LA in the craziness conditions imaginable…think stage rushing, fires, people throwing their own urine at one another, Ozzy refusing to go on stage and System coming to save the ever loving day… it was a show I will never forget. During this time I definitely understood a lot more of their music but not until I read this book did I feel the lyrics and their integral messages as I do now.

So what did I think? It’s hard to put into words, I am so glad I got an early copy of this book and took the time to digest its history and message. I understand now why Serj has had such a hard time going back to SOAD and why we may never see them play together or make new music again. I understand what he means by learning the power in saying yes to things and also saying no. Something I think everyone, including myself needs to learn as they grow in this life. I appreciate his words and his contribution to political activism and think more people should be like him and stand up for the atrocities committed around this world. So yeah, read this book if this sounds like something you’d want to be educated and inspired by.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette Books and Serj Tankian for early access to this egalley in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date is set for May 14, 2024.

I am so happy that I read this book.

My dad was a fan of System of a Down, so I remember listening to them a decent amount when I was a teenager. They've never been a band that I actively listen to, but I've always had so much respect for them. I also have some close friends who's grandparents also survived the Armenian genocide, so this was really special.

This is kind of my favorite kind of memoir. I got to read a book about a celebrity that has been important to MY life, but also learned something new at the same time. Serj's writing is so eloquent, simple, and captivating. I would happily recommend this to anyone that's a music fan.

System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian’s Down With The System is a beautifully written memoir that offers lots more than the story of how his band came together. That should come as no surprise to those who’ve followed his band. Lots of stories are shared relating to his family’s time in Aermenia, the politics there, the Armenian Genocide, and how that history was woven into the music he and his bandmates created.

I’d equate Down With The System with Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime in that both memoirs taught me a signicant about of world history that wasn’t covered in high school. It’s an important book that I’d recommend to anyone, even if they weren’t SOTD fans.

This was delightful to read. I feel incredibly spoiled as a librarian/industry person since the published gifted me an advanced reader eBook. Serj is such a good writer. You just have to read it, truly you should.

System of a Down was my favorite band for a time as a kid. They're also the reason many freak metalhead types know about the Armenian Genocide. Loved reading the context for songs and whatever, but I was here more for the moral stance they have taken. Maybe dealing with all the political bullshit sucked in the moment but continuing that for 20+ years? Respectable and fierce as fuck. If you need a more popular version of this see how Taylor Swift discusses The (Dixie) Chicks' influence on her own work in her Miss Americana documentary.

Nothing System related will come as a surprise to anyone with a brain who followed it all live during the 2000s. Despite all marketing attempts at whatever, my 13 yr old self could plainly see the creative issues within the band. It's okay, I 100% understand and love the music nonetheless. Marketing people are funny but they gave me early access so buy this book and also follow thru with reading it too.

What an honor to be able to read such an amazing piece of work. I immediately knew I wanted to read it
when I saw that it became available! The book did not disappoint. I’ve been a SOAD fan since 2003. I
follow Serj and SOAD on social media, so it comes as no surprise that this memoir is not just an
autobiography of Serj (from the band) but Serj-the person.
I had some basic knowledge of Serj’s background, but this book goes into full detail regarding what his
family went through in Armenia during the Genocide. Reading what happened to his grandparents but
also what he went through as a child was very eye-opening. It’s heartbreaking to think this was the
reality for so many families.
The book does touch a lot on his background as an activist, but he throws in a lot of stories about SOAD.
He takes us through his journey arriving in America and the hardships he went through with his family as
they got settled in. He talks about the origins of SOAD which I loved reading about so much! I found
myself cheesy smiling through some of the SOAD stories that he recalled. There were some parts where
he recalled some, not so happy, stories about SOAD which again gives us a background into what the
band was going through at the time. After incorporating some SOAD stories, he does dive into more
events related to his activism. I really enjoyed reading about that because I learned so much about him
and Armenia and its people.

I strongly recommend this book to not only SOAD fans but to anyone who want to learn about the
Armenian Genocide. I will be buying the audiobook as well because who wouldn’t want to listen to Serj
reading the book!
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books. All opinions are my own.

As a longtime fan of System of a Down, I knew I had to read this book. What I was not prepared for how raw and honest this book ended up being. Serf gives the reader a history on the brutal treatment of his people-Armenian’s-and how their history has shaped his life in profound ways. It was also eye-opening to see how Serf’s band became the antithesis to his true passion-making music and art for its own sake. The prose was clean and poignant-leading the reader down a timeline of the good, bad, and ugly of Serf’s life as an immigrant. But what became the most important theme throughout the book was the call to activism for the oppressed and ignored. Serf’s most powerful tool was his voice, and he always used it on behalf of his people. He didn’t always do it perfectly, but he used it regardless.

This book is powerful and thought-provoking, and is a two-fold memoir. It illustrates the goal of pursuing your passion, even if you ultimately fail, and refusing to remain silent on injustice, no matter the price. I’m grateful Serf decided to tell his story, and I hope everyone reads it. It will open your eyes.

First off, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This memoir was one of the best I've ever read. I've always been a System of a Down fan which led me to originally want to read this book. As I read I realized that it was a mix of memoir, history lesson, a call to activism, and fun facts about the band and Serj's musical career.

Amazing book, couldn't put it down, and definitely worth the read!

Serj Tankian is not someone that people would think I would like. System of the Down is...NOT in my genre, in the least. That said, Serj Tankian has intrigued me for years. He has long used his voice to teach audiences about lesser-known atrocities.

This isn't The Dirt or Scar Tissue. This memoir is the powerful story of an activist and historian. Serj should teach college classes.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this powerful book.

As a fan of System of a Down, I was very excited for the opportunity to read this. It is always fun reading about the life of a favorite singer and/or the behind the scenes antics of them and their band. However, I found it refreshing to also discover another side that opened my eyes to terrible injustices. Serj not only tells his story but those of countless others who have suffered. A must read!

I’ll admit, I picked up this book because I noticed the lead singer from system of a down, wrote it. Being a millennial I was familiar with the band, but had no idea the depth and artistry that exists within this author. Serj Tankian is an artist in every sense of the word and his poetry comes out in far more than his music. It is evident from moment, one of this book that he is deeply passionate about his culture, his heritage, fighting for the rights of others, and spreading the word of the Armenian genocide. He comes across as a man who is deeply rooted in integrity and his convictions.

I thought this book might be a farcical read about heavy metal music, and instead found myself deeply moved and thoroughly impressed at the depth and gravity this book holds. Serj is thoughtful, intentional, incredibly intelligent, and a true gift amongst artists. I highly recommend picking this book up regardless if you were a fan of metal, music, poetry arts, and culture or world politics.

I don't typically give ratings on memoirs, because who am I to give a review to someones own life accounts? However, for the purpose of receiving an ARC for an unbiased review, I will do just that.

I was first introduced to System of a Down in high school over 20 years ago. Even back then, not having a full grasp of the meaning in their lyrics, I knew they were a group of guys that spoke on what they believed in.
Serj being the front man that he is, opened my mind to what they sang about...even if we (at least in the states) weren't learning about the genocide of the Armenian people.
As much as I've learned about the genocide in years since, I never read such a personal account before this book. Serj discusses his own grandfathers accounts. The types of horrific events the Armenian people had to go through, and without recognition of it happening at all. At times it seemed the writing jumped around from current events to past, but in the end, it was engaging.
The stories of his musical development and how the band came about was actually something I had no knowledge of. I knew that they had come from the same area, but not that Serj never showed an interest in making music himself.
If you're a fan of SOAD, or just generally interested in Armenia, it's people and the history, I think this book will hit enough of both to keep you interested throughout.

Thank you, Serj, for sharing yours and your families story with us. And thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books for this ARC!

I was so excited to hear about this and it didn't disappoint. It flowed well and hardly ever lulled.

“Down with the system” by Serj Tankian
Rating : 5/5
Genre: Memoir
‼️Please include trigger warnings, some of the first few pages were very disturbing (which is fine, but it might be a bit too much for some people)‼️
Please know this: I al very biased! SOAD is my first musical love.. I breathed the band as a teenager… I was overjoyed to learn about this.

I dislike memoirs, because they usually have a lot of drama and negativities… and knowing that, I inhaled this book. I loved learning little facts about the band and learning the backstory of some of the songs. There is a lot of DRAMA, but I was aware of most of them, and what do you expect to learn from a celebrity’s memoir?

It’s very hard to criticize the book. It’s a memoir! And Serj is an amazing songwriter, and not a book author. I really wished the story followed a more straight timeline, but then some stories would have been very hard to follow. All the stories were really easy to follow as it’s written, but I just got a bit annoyed when we went back a few years.

I am ashamed to say, as a person who was born in Iran, I learned about the Arminian genocide from Serj’s activism (mostly form 1915 movie) and I always admire how outspoken the band is. I am thankful for all Serj has done, and this book taught me a lot more. It’s very helpful when the information comes from people whose voices were so formative to me as a teenager.

Thanks for letting me review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book before publication.

This was both a joyful and sorrowful reading experience. Learning about the Armenian genocide for the first time at 35 years old pissed me off. Not because of who I was learning it from, but because my own government has kept it hush hush. What happened and still happens today was and is absolutely heartbreaking.

Tankian’s robust vocabulary creates beautiful imagery where you can clearly see everything he’s talking about. While his story is fraught with trauma and war, he weaves it in such a way that we feel hopeful.

After reading this beautifully written book, there are so many things I want to say, but I’m finding myself quite speechless. With that being said, it took me a good amount of time to articulate my thoughts enough to write this review thoroughly.

In 2005, when System dropped their final (double) albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize, I was only 10 years old- but by then I was already well aware of the band and it’s music. I had a brother 5 years older than me who exposed me to a variety of metal, rock, and alternative bands at a young age (SOAD being one of them, as well as Rise Against, Asking Alexandria, Slipknot, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Shinedown, Slayer, Metallica, ACDC, Godsmack, Bring Me The Horizon, and so MANY more). As the younger sister, I wanted to look “cool” for my brother and his friends so I’d often learn the music and the lyrics of many of the bands he listened to, so I could rock with him/them. Through my adolescent and teen years, did I truly understand what the lyrics, the cries, the growls meant? No. Did I know that the band was constructed by Armenian-American activists aiming to end multi-country Armenian Genocide denial? No. Did I even know what activism was at that age? Definitely not. All I knew is that I heavily jived with the chaotic, wild, head-banging music, so I kept listening. I’ve continued to re-listen to their albums throughout my teens and 20’s, singing along to the same lyrics of BYOB, Toxicity, Aerials, Sugar, Needles, Chop Suey, Lonely Day, and Question that I’ve known for 2 decades. Now at 30 years old, I finally understand, thanks to Serj and this book, what inspired this band and it’s music. I found it really interesting that some of the above bands/members that I grew up listening to had served as mentors, friends, and even business-partners at times to System over their decades in the music industry.

I have to admit, though, the extent of my knowledge of Serj Tankian and his band stopped at its music.
When I saw Serj on the cover of this book, I couldn’t read the blurb fast enough. I quickly realized how politically and historically heavy this read was going to be- and let me tell you, I am usually QUICK at passing up books containing either of those two subjects. But, after reading the blurb, I decided I was ready to understand the lyrics I’ve been chanting along to for twenty years- and in doing so, I would understand Serj’s childhood and family history, their immigration to the US, the history of SOAD as well as the history of his other bands and solo music, his ongoing pursuit for Armenian Genocide recognition, his personal life, etc. I cannot even express how enlightened I feel after reading this book.

Serj has lived a challenging, scary life full of adversity- one that could have easily destroyed his and/or his family’s spirit if they would have let it. He is tenacious and does not falter in loudly supporting his Armenian ancestors, or anything that he believes in for that matter. I think in his younger days, before he was a dad, he was a bit reckless in his activism and authoritarian issues. He put himself and the band in some less than ideal, dangerous situations just to have a platform to speak on and spread his activism. Then again, I guess that was the whole point behind SOAD in the first place. He created a platform for his activism and he used it for greater good- who can be mad at that? I am happy to hear that as a father and husband, he is not behaving as risky as he once was. But with that being said, I have a lot of respect for a man who has made it his life mission to bring awareness and acknowledgment to a greater cause, despite the danger to himself or the backlash he’s had to face. Serj makes shit happen and he gets it done, even if it puts him in an uncomfortable position. He doesn’t shy away from challenges; he embraces them (or better said, dives head first into them). I respect the fact that he stays true to his word and continues to fight for what he (and much of the rest of the world) feels is right day in and day out. Too many people in this world are happy to turn a blind eye to current and historical events because it’s easier to keep your opinion to yourself than to express it and face the consequences. Serj’s activism may have gotten himself into a few deep holes that he had to crawl back out of but he always did. And he always came back stronger, rather than discouraged. He celebrates the small wins, as we all should.

I think everyone needs to read this book and educate themselves. Just because these events happened in the past, does not mean they don’t still carry resounding, crippling effects on current populations of people/countries. I’ve never been one to deny any genocide (or history in general) that’s occurred, and this book has shown me just how many people DO deny it all. I’ve learned how important it is to be an ongoing advocate for all of the people/ethnicities who were cleansed and wronged who aren’t here to do it themselves. If we don’t tell their story, who will? If the current world is not reminded of these past tragedies and failings, how will our future world ever prevent history from repeating itself? The worst thing that can come out of a tragedy as such, is that nothing is learned and nothing is changed.

If System ever does decide to tour again in the US, I will do my damnedest to purchase a ticket and show my support for Serj, his bandmates, Armenians as a whole, and all others who’ve been plagued by genocide or unfair treatment by settlers over the past centuries. The energy of their shows and supporting a part of something bigger is something I would love to experience for myself now that I am old enough to understand.

One thing I’ve always said about System, or Serj more specifically, is that he has the major advantage of having one of the most unique and widest-ranged voices I’ve ever heard. He sings gently, he sings powerfully, he belts and screams, he growls, he yells, and he makes completely random noises that catch you off guard- but I always know it’s Serj and he always makes it work. I feel honored to know, now, which exact life events and moments of struggle largely contributed to and shaped Serj’s lyrical and musical inspiration while in System. I really liked that he picked out popular lyrics from many different hit songs, and explained the reasoning behind them and his scribbled words in his journal. Listening to his song, Soil, and the degree of pain and anger in which he sings regarding his friend’s suicide really hit home for me and what I’ve experienced with my friend committing suicide in the same manner 12 years ago. An event like that rocks your entire life and changes your perspective on it and all that is precious in this world and in our short lives. In the song, you can hear the pain and desperation in his voice as he says, “Why the fuck did you take him away from us you motherfucker?” His desperate need to place the blame and anger on SOMEBODY (anybody that wasn’t his poor, dead friend) is a feeling I can strongly relate to. The emotions of pain, anger, regret, sadness, and desperation are overwhelming.

After reading this book, I’ve made it a mission of mine to listen to all of Serj’s music (outside of SOAD) as I am interested in hearing what else he has to say. His words are purposeful and powerful. I know he has continued his activism through different bands and solo music as well.

To end my review, I want to say that I never truly realized how talented Serj Tankian is, as an artist or as an activist. This man manages to portray painful, but serious important messages through many different genres of music and charity events. He plays multiple instruments, he has a beautiful voice, he’s a composer, he’s a symphony director, and he knows how to make people hang on to every last word he says. Not only that, but he is now a devoted husband and father. Your fans are so happy and proud of you Serj.

I wish every band/artist I grew up listening to that shaped my view of the world through their music would write a book just like this. As an artist, I know that you know how important those initial role models are in your life, and how they shape who you become and what you stand for. This book was, for lack of better words, eye-opening. Thank you Serj for doing the hard stuff. Maybe if there were more brave people like you on this earth, our world would be a fairer place.

Thank you SO INCREDIBLY MUCH to NetGalley and Hachette Books publishing for providing me the ARC edition of this book. It was an absolute honor to read and review.

I always struggle with giving memoirs a rating.

Serj Tankian has been one of my favorite musicians for most of my life, and getting to dive into not only SOADs history but HIS history was truly magnificent.

I throughly enjoyed every aspect. I loved getting to know bits and pieces and I also loved being able to feel the humor come off the page.

Would absolutely recommend this read. I learned a lot.

#NetGalley #DownWithTheSystem
I would like to thank Net Galley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review. I went into this book as a fan of System of a Down with some knowledge about Serj. I love the insight into Serj's life and how he's spent his whole life fighting for what he believes in and standing up for Justice.