(Credit: System of a Down)
Fri 7 November 2025 22:00, UK
System of a Down have only released five full-length albums over their recording career, but they also have one of the cleanest track records in modern rock history.
That said, it’s evident that the group has always been incredibly particular about what they publish under their brand name. It’s rather common for artists to despise their greatest hits because mass appeal might eclipse their overall creativity. John Lennon, for example, hated more songs by The Beatles than any fan of the Fab Four; likewise, SOAD has a tune they have maintained their distance from despite choosing to release it.
2005 marked the final year of the group’s career as full-time recording artists, following which they continued touring and released a few singles here and there. Mesmerize and Hypnotize, which were originally meant to be packaged as a double album, were released a few months apart that year, and they both went to number one on the charts. The latter, which is their last LP, featured a number of hits that solidified their legacy, and among them was a tune titled ‘Kill Rock ‘n Roll’ that the band has been careful not to brandish with the same pride as some of their other material.
Composed by lead guitarist, vocalist and primary songwriter Daron Malakian, the track was inspired by him accidentally running over a rabbit and subsequently feeling awful about it. With that, the words “I felt like the biggest asshole” become less of a mystery, although how and why he jumped from a dead rabbit to rock and roll remains unclear; then again, SOAD have cultivated quite a strong reputation for bizarre lyrics and subject matter.
Almost like a sequel to ‘Radio/Video’ in terms of its sound, ‘Kill Rock ‘n Roll’ is a hard rock joint with MTV allure, which seemingly was a little embarrassing for Malakian, who didn’t want the song to define the group in any way, shape or form. He even stated during an interview that it was almost too catchy to release as a single, noting, “I’d rather kinda push people’s brains. I’d hate being known as the band that is recognised for that song.”
Although he did share vocals with Serj Tankian and helped produce it with Rick Rubin, Malakian clearly took responsibility for the track and what it entailed for the group’s image. It is important to note that SOAD isn’t outright ashamed of the song either since they have performed it extensively over the years; rather, they just seem to treat it more like an unserious filler that doesn’t carry much depth.
Discussing his many influences during an interview with Revolver, Malakian said, “If I pointed out the chorus for ‘Kill Rock n’ Roll’, that melody line is very old Motown. I didn’t know that when I was writing it, but after time went on, I was like, ‘Wow, that’s old Motown!’ Because I’d been listening to The Supremes, the Marvelettes, and stuff like that.”
Despite their own critique, ‘Kill Rock ‘n Roll’ is full, explosive and a little crazy, and while the lyrics are limited, they are really fun to repeat and sing along to. Additionally, the arrangement is dynamic from start to finish, delivering on everything the average SOAD fan loves about the band.
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