I am going to speak about a well-known nonconformist whom I respect and admire: Serj Tankian of System of A Down. Recently, I bought his first solo album, "Elect the Dead", as a means for an English project. (I'm supposed to make a soundtrack for Macbeth.....) However, I also bought this album because, well, I'm a HUGE System of A Down fan, and even more so a fan of Tankian's writings and other projects. I have always been impressed by every album they have churned out over the years, from my first SOAD experience, Toxicity, to my most recent one, Mesmerize.

"Elect the Dead", in my opinion, is a gorgeous work of art that can easily blow other solo artists clear out of the water(i.e. Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani from No Doubt, Justin Timberlake from N*Sync, Beyonce from Destiny's Child, Dave Matthews, that God-awful Scott Stapp from Creed, Phil Collins, Sting, and God forgive me for saying this: Dave Mustaine from Metallica.) I have never heard anyone with this sound before--not even Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix sounded this good in their careers. Backed with an orcastra that produces a beautiful melodic harmony, Serj Tankian delivers a powerhouse performance that would blow even the most compassionate of musicians off the face of the Earth. One part U2 and the other part Megadeth, blended to perfection with the SOAD sound, Elect the Dead literally beats the listener to death with songs about humanity, the Earth's future, and war's affect on everyone who is involved, soldier or no. However, this album doesn't follow by Bono's example of humanitarism, nor does it play by the rules of indirectly referring to a world problem-everything is spoken, clear and simple, in a liberal tone that would even have Barrack Obama seething with envy(Sorry, man! I swear, I won't forget to vote for you this time!). The album's first song, "Empty Walls", recalls the people's feelings about genocide; it is especially chilling yet empowering. Here is a verse, to give you an example:

"Your empty walls...
Your empty walls...
Pretentious attention
Dismissive apprehension
Don't waste your time on coffins today
When we decline, from the confines of our mind
Don't waste your time on coffins today

Don't you see their bodies burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying of anticipation
Choking from intoxication...."
In the final minute of "Empty Walls", the meaning becomes clearer to the listener. By then, the song's true meaning is brought into the light:

"I loved you yesterday, before
you killed my family.
I want you to be
left behind those empty walls.
Taunt you to see
from behind those empty walls."

Throughout the album, various topics that Tankian feels should be addressed in our world is discussed, from greed ("Money"), the environment ("Honking Antelope"), the War in Iraq ("The Unthinking Majority"),to mislead governments as seen in ("Feed Us"). All are beautifully orcastrated and highly emotional masterpieces; some of which will even move people to the point of crying. ("Empty Walls" and "Feed Us", in my opinion, are the most emotional tracks. Both are haunting pieces that recall the effects of genocide and the tragic consequences of living under a misguided society ruled by even more misguided leaders.)

Before I close, I have a few complaints reguarding "Elect the Dead". Yes, I did say this album was a true masterpiece that was definately worth a listen, but....that doesn't mean that it doesn't have it's flaws. Although Serj Tankian's departure from System of A Down seems a little refreshing for their fanbase, many of the album's songs exhibit this, however....some of them sound exactly alike in their intros, making it difficult to identify. Secondly, if one who is new to the SOAD set-up may be confused by their style and the content within their songs. Only those who are truly deep thinkers will understand the riddle-laden lyrics that dominate the overall theme of the album. Finally, SOAD as a whole, is well-known for their extreme liberalism and outspoken nature, especially when it came to the subject of the War in Iraq, a war they were strongly against ever since its beginning many years ago. Republicans may need to steer clear of "Elect the Dead", for its message may anger conservative voters who unrealistrically think that their party will be in control of our country for another 4 years. (It's not going to happen, trust me!)

"Elect the Dead" is one of the best heavy metal albums I have listened to in a long, long time. (Well....besides Megadeth's "United Abominations".) Serj Tankian is an amazingly talented individual whose beautiful soul does not lie within his band, but the messages spoken in his songs. He is one of my many sources of inspiration when it comes to writing. (You will see many SOAD quotes in the Downfall of Boss saga-it's a "hat's off" to their ability to inspire me when I can't quite write down the words.) I also believe that this entire album should be played at Barrack Obama's political rallies. How American will that be?