System of a Down’s rise to fame wasn’t without turbulence, as guitarist Daron Malakian recently reflected. During their early tour supporting Slayer, the band faced intense backlash, often being booed off stage while fans hurled coins—and even a bagel—at them. Instead of being discouraged, the group leaned into the moment, sometimes encouraging the crowd to chant for Slayer mid-performance.
Malakian noted the band’s difficulty in securing a record deal early on, since their Armenian heritage, unique sound, and unconventional stage presence didn’t fit the nu-metal mold. While often grouped with bands like Deftones and Korn, he emphasized that System forged their own identity rather than imitating metal giants such as Slayer or Metallica. For Malakian, originality was the key to longevity—copycat acts never had the same staying power.
