It’s been 15 years since System of a Down has created any new music. But on November 5th, System of a Down released two new singles called “Protect The Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”. These tracks are a response to the war that is going on in Armenia and Artsakh against Azerbaijan. 

The first of the two “Protect The Land” is a slower track in comparison to some of the earlier songs in System of a Down’s catalogue, but the main focus of the song is the lyrics. This is a song that is very direct in its message of how terrible war is. With having lyrics like:

The enemy of man is his own decay

If they’re evil now, then evil they will stay

If they will try to push you far away

Would you stay and take a stand?

Would you stay with gun in hand?

It’s a powerful message that they’re getting across. Done in classic System of a Down fashion.

The second single, “Genocidal Humanoidz”, is a complete 180 in terms of pace in comparison to “Protect The Land”. It’s cranked up dramatically with everything sounded as if they’re trying to move as fast as they can. Especially the drums, which were very good in this song. And the lyrics as well are just as well written as “Protect The Land”. This section is from the first verse:

Can you see us?

Beating the devil

We never run from the devil

We never summoned the devil

We never hide from the devil

It’s referring to the fact that Armenia and Artsakh aren’t getting enough attention and that they’re still holding off the forces from Azerbaijan. And “The Devil” in this sense seems to be in regard to war itself. Because Armenia and Artsakh didn’t want to go to war.

Overall, these were two solid songs. I did enjoy both of them, even if they weren’t quite the same in terms of style and tone. But it’s still nice to hear something new from System of a Down. As it’s felt like an eternity since they released “Hypnotize”.

Have you heard these two new songs? If so, what did you think of them? Leave it in the comments below.