Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts)

Debut author Tankian, the front man, lead vocalist, and lyricist of the Armenian American heavy metal band System of a Down, offers a memoir that connects his musical development with the political history and spirituality that have shaped his life. The grandson of Armenian genocide survivors, Tankian was born in Beirut, Lebanon; when he was seven years old, he fled with his family to the U.S. to escape civil war. Tankian narrates his own work with aplomb, providing listeners with a detailed history of his family heritage and explaining how he used his musical platform to bring broader awareness to the Ottoman Empire’s genocide of Armenian people. As he describes the band’s evolution, Tankian demonstrates his deep knowledge of global and U.S. politics, Armenian history, and business, as well as his facility with music, art, and language. Though Tankian is primarily known for his music, his passionate memoir shines a light on his work as an activist, speaking out against genocide, war, and U.S. foreign policy.