System of a Down were forced to postpone their two planned hometown shows this weekend at Banc of California Stadium after singer Serj Tankian tested positive for COVID-19. “It is with great regret that we must reschedule our Los Angeles performances to February 4th and 5th, 2022,” the band wrote in a statement.
“Despite multiple precautionary measures, Serj has unfortunately tested positive for COVID. We’re sorry to disappoint our amazing fans with this last minute news. The health of our band, crew, venue staff, and all of our fans is our top priority.” All tickets purchased for the show slated For Friday (Oct. 22) and Saturday (Oct. 23) night — featuring Korn, Helmet and Russian Circles — will be honored for the new 2022 dates.
SOAD kicked off their first run of shows since the spring of 2019 last week with a run of shows in Las Vegas, Fresno and Oakland. System aren’t the only ones battling COVID in their camp, as one of the other bands on the bill, Korn, also postponed a run of shows when three different members contracted the virus.
In January, SOAD shared a powerful video for the song “Genocidal Humanoidz” as a fundraiser for Armenian soldiers wounded during the country’s conflict with Azerbaijan. “Humanoidz” was one of two new songs the band released last November in response to a war over the region known as Nagorno-Karabakh — during a livestream fundraising event on the band’s official YouTube channel.
Last year’s reignited conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan provoked SOAD to raise their voices in support of their homeland by simultaneously dropping “Genocidal Humanoidz” and “Protect the Land,” the group’s first new music in 15 years.
Check out the statement below.