System of a Down Kicks off concert to raise Armenian Genocide Awareness

System of a Down have kicked off their first show in a series of worldwide concerts to raise Armenian Genocide Awareness. The band will have a eight shows total. The first show was in Los Angeles last night and would be their only US show. The rest of the shows will be in Europe ending with a free show in Armenia on April 23rd.  However, the band will resume touring again in June worldwide, include more shows in the US.

The show in Armenia will be held at the Yerevan’s Republic Square one day before April 24th, the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Last night’s show at the forum, included a series of 3 mini cartoons about the Armenian Genocide, featuring the voice of Tom Morello (of Rage Against The Machine) as the narrator, who was also in the audience.  The cartoons were created to bring awareness to the Armenian Genocide and other similar genocides in general.

“We don’t have the lobbying power that the Turkish government has. We only have the stories of our surviving family members,” drummer John Dolmayan said. “That is why after 100 years – or 150, or 200 years – the truth is going to come out.”

The show including a whopping 33 songs and took 2.5 hours. Serj Tankian stated that this was the longest show they have ever done!

“I hope you like System of a Down,” the band’s guitarist and vocalist Daron Malakian teased Monday night’s crowd at the L.A. Forum, during a break about a third of the way into a massive set. “Because we’ve got a lot of it for you tonight!”

The band played a flawless set. As an attendee myself and a huge fan of System of Down, I enjoyed it a lot. Although, I wished the vocals would have been a little louder than the music. Thy played all their hits and some of their better album tracks.

For more info on the Armenian Genocide visit 24April1915.com.