System of a Down Reunites for Summer Tour

After a hiatus of more than four years, System of a Down will reunite for 10 shows in eight countries in Europe this summer.

"We are playing these shows simply because we want to play together again as a band and for you, our amazing fans," the band wrote in a post on its website. "We also want to thank you for your loyalty and support, not only to System of a Down, but to all of our solo efforts as well."

Photos: Random Notes

The band released two thematically linked albums, Mezmerize and Hypnotize, in 2005, and its last gig took place in August of the following year. At the time, the bandmembers stressed that they were not breaking up but were taking an extended hiatus.

Since then, guitarist Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan united for the Scars on Broadway project; Dolmayan also formed a band called Indicator. Vocalist Serj Tankian has released two solo albums and a poetry collection and continues to operate his Serjical Strike label; and bassist Shavo Odadjian worked with Wu-Tang Clan's the RZA and performed with George Clinton, among other projects.

System of a Down end hiatus, announce European tour dates [Consequence of Sound]

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Song Stories

“All Along the Watchtower”

The Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968

Jimi Hendrix got hold of Bob Dylan's early John Wesley Harding tapes and in late 1967 recorded a version of "All Along the Watchtower" with the Experience in London. Dissatisfied with that first development, Hendrix brought those tapes with him to New York in early 1968 when he began work on Electric Ladyland. Eddie Kramer, Hendrix's engineer at the time, told Rolling Stone that Hendrix "was still looked upon by his basically white audience as the mammoth black guitar hero. There was a constant fight within him to expand himself." Hendrix's successful take on Dylan's work has long been recognized by the songwriter. "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way," Dylan wrote in the liner notes to his Biograph box set. "Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

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