European fans have had to wait almost ten years - now System of a Down are returning with a handful of exclusive stadium concerts. On July 8, the band fronted by Serj Tankian will stop at Berlin's Olympiastadion. The show is considered one of the biggest rock and metal highlights of the summer.
System of a Down left a lasting mark on rock music at the turn of the millennium with their politically charged mix of brutal nu-metal, Armenian folk influences, and avant-garde songwriting, selling over 45 million records worldwide. Their last album, Hypnotize, was released more than 20 years ago, yet the enthusiasm remains unbroken.
The Armenian-American band has been extremely rare to see live for years. While only individual festival appearances took place in the USA in recent years, the current Europe tour is limited to a few select stadiums. After Stockholm, Paris, and Milan comes Berlin, followed only by Düsseldorf, London, and Warsaw. The demand is correspondingly huge.
The first concerts of the tour have already generated enthusiasm on social media. Excited reports on Reddit include: "I have never seen a band that goes so hard while having so much fun on stage at the same time. Simply absolutely legendary. A memory for life." Frontman Serj Tankian is particularly frequently praised, with many fans saying his voice sounds more powerful than in recent years. The setlist is also receiving rave reviews: According to reports, the band plays more than 25 songs, stringing together classics like "B.Y.O.B.", "Chop Suey!" and "Toxicity" with virtually no breaks.
A lineup with festival-level quality
But it's not just the headliner creating a buzz. The opening acts alone would be worth their own ticket for many fans. The evening opens with Acid Bath, whose reunion after decades of hiatus is being celebrated as a small sensation in the metal scene. Then Queens of the Stone Age with Josh Homme take over before System of a Down take the stage.
With three bands that could each fill arenas or festivals on their own, the Berlin concert resembles a one-day festival more than a classic stadium show.
Those who want to experience the complete program should arrive early. Doors at the Olympiastadion open at 4 PM, and the concert evening starts as early as 5:30 PM.
What visitors should know
Entry is only permitted with digital tickets via the Eventim or Ticketmaster app. Large bags and backpacks are prohibited, as are glass bottles, cans, umbrellas, or oversized power banks. Cannabis may also not be brought onto the stadium grounds despite partial legalization.
