 
Mr Serj Tankian has made quite the name for himself
with his outstanding career; with his lead project
System of a Down he managed to put out 5 albums
in 7 years alongside some vigorous touring, when
the band decided to go on hiatus in 2006 he emerged
on the scene as a solo artist with his debut release
Elect The Dead followed up in 2010 with the Imperfect
Harmonies album, the contrast between the styles
displayed on these 2 albums was quite severe,
the first was more familiar material to what we’re
used to from SOAD but toned back on the heavier
side of things where as Imperfect Harmonies was
orchestral and jazzy. With the recent System of
a Down reunion and his various other enterprises
Tankian has accomplished since these accolades,
this may have a large effect on this album.
I do have to say that this is the most upbeat
heavy stuff that Serj has dabbled in since the
last System of a Down album; the lead single “Figure
It Out” is actually quite aggressive in
terms of tone and pace, the themes as well are
classic Tankian, as everyone is aware he’s
quite the activist and everything he writes is
about environmental, political issues and TV related
opinions, this album for the first time since
classic System of a Down like Steal This Album
these views are portrayed across in a thick aggressive
blast. Whilst we have these heavy moments though
this doesn’t mean that we don’t have
variety as well in songs like “Deafening
Silence” and “Reality TV” are
less aggressive but still an interesting listen
due to the composition maturity of Tankian, they
also give the album depth by drawing off different
emotions rather than overusing the anger.
The way the album stacks up, it’s that addition
to the range in the material he has spanning off
from the System of a Down days with the heavier
stuff, I would say you can’t really compare
the 3 albums he’s released as his solo project
as the material is all different but in regards
to my tastes and expectations I would say that
this I think just edges out Elect The Dead in
regards to the best of the 3 as Imperfect Harmonies
just wasn’t up there for me. With more material
promised to be released soon only time will tell
what’s next for Tankian but as his style
matures only good things should be expected.
4/5
Review by James Webb
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