System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan recently discussed the possibility of the band having a farewell tour similar to Black Sabbath’s final goodbye. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Beardo and Weirdo.
The drummer was asked about whether the band had considered following Black Sabbath’s example of a ceremonial farewell after witnessing their Birmingham performance.
When questioned about the possibility of a decided farewell moment, Dolmayan expressed that such a gesture would need to mark a definitive end for the band.
“It’s nice to be honored, you know, and you have a lifetime of achievements and it is pleasant to have that,” Dolmayan said. “I don’t know if we’ll do that, but if we did, it would have to mean the end of System of Down.”
The drummer emphasized that any farewell tour would need to be genuine and final.
“There’s no reason to do that and then continue on,” he continued. “That would be like, okay, this is our swan song. This is our goodbye. This is the cathartic experience for the fans and also our fans in music.”
Dolmayan also acknowledged the band’s influence on other musicians and the significance such a farewell would hold.
“You know, we have a lot of a lot of different bands who are fans of System of Down as well. It’s not just kids out there,” he said. “So, it would also be a goodbye to them. And if we did that, I would want it to be the last thing we did.”
Dolmayan’s comments come at a time when System of a Down remains active on the touring circuit. The band continues performing despite the ongoing wait for new studio material from the Armenian-American metal band.
Loudwire reported that System of a Down is preparing for a series of major stadium shows in 2025. They will share the stage with well-known rock acts such as Korn, Avenged Sevenfold, and Deftones. These upcoming performances represent some of the band’s largest live runs in recent years, highlighting their enduring popularity among fans.
The 2025 tour will take place in major venues including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Soldier Field in Chicago, and Rogers Stadium in Toronto. The Whale noted that some dates have already been expanded to second nights due to overwhelming demand from fans eager to see the band perform live.
This touring activity comes nearly two decades after the band’s last full-length studio albums. WMMR indicated that fans continue to eagerly anticipate whether any new music or definitive farewell announcement will follow these shows. This makes Dolmayan’s recent comments about potential farewell conditions particularly significant.
The band’s approach to potential farewells reflects their commitment to authenticity. Dolmayan’s stance suggests that any goodbye would need to be meaningful and final rather than a marketing strategy. This perspective aligns with the band’s history of taking extended breaks and being selective about their public appearances and releases.
