"Elect the dead symphony" CD by Serj Tankian

by Oliver Kube (13.04.2010) His first solo tour leads the System Of A Down front man also to New Zealand. Over there, the charismatic Tankian performs the songs of his much acclaimed debut album "Elect the dead". The special thing about this performance is his choice of musicians: in contrast to the rest of his world tour, he is not accompanied by the usual band, but by the huge Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The event takes place in the beautiful municipal hall of the New Zealand metropole - and the gigantic organ in the back part of the stage makes for the appropriate backdrop. Fortunately, Tankian has recorded not only sound (CD), but also film footage (DVD) during the concert, so the fans can enjoy the brilliantly arranged (by the master himself and the conductor John Psathas) versions of the album tracks plus some previously unreleased material ("Blue", "Gate 21", "The charade") - and also the happiness in the singer's face.

by Jerry Ewing (07.04.2010) SOAD frontman comes with strings attached PERFORMING with an orchestra is hardly a new concept. After all, Metallica, Scorpions and Kiss have already mixed their aural barrage with heady orchestration. But few contemporary artists have indulged, thus far. Step forward SOAD frontman Serj Tankian, a man forever seeking to push a few boundaries and ruffle a few feathers. However it’s not SOAD that he orchestrates, but rather his debut solo album in a one-off New Zealand show with the Auckland Philharmonic in tow. There are two new tracks, Charades and Gate 21, amidst just voice and orchestra, which can become grating given Serj’s unique vocal style. And given the nature of the artist himself, it’s all a bit art rock. Well art. It doesn’t really rock at all.