For System Of A Down, the vacation is over. Now, it's time to roll up the sleeves and get back to work.

Well, in order to get ready for summer vacation. Which, um, will precede an extended vacation! Don't question it, or even attempt to make sense of it, just be thankful the Armenian-American metal band is returning to our fair city for a 'Dome show Monday.

And for those who were lucky enough to catch the band nine months ago in the same venue, drummer John Dolmayan says that first break in SOAD's schedule bodes well for their return visit.


"We haven't toured for over seven months and we have a lot of desire to get out there and play onstage again," Dolmayan says from his home during a break in his World Cup-viewing.

"So we'll probably have a little bit more energy than we had last time. Last time we came out it was after about five months of touring, and you know how it is, you just burnout after awhile, you get tired.
Although you may not have noticed it, we feel like near the end of the tour we get a little tired -- now you're catching us on the beginning of the tour. Nice and fresh."

"Although," he says jokingly, " you'll have to deal with whatever cobwebs are there ..."

Of course, those who caught the quartet's incredible show last September will take them however they can get them, especially because, since that show the band released its second album of 2005 Hypnotize, the companion piece to the earlier dropped Mezmerize.

With the pair of albums and a year of touring, burnout was understandable. That's also the reason after the brief tour they're embarking on, SOAD will follow it up with a stint on this year's Ozzfest, something Dolmayan likens to summer camp for bands, because of its easy pace and enjoyable atmosphere. And then, once those shows wrap up, the band will take an extended hiatus, which the Lebanese-born drummer estimates will last more than two years.

While there have been rumors the break will be permanent, fuelled further by confirmation guitarist Daron Malakian is starting a new band Scars On Broadway -- with bassist Shavo Odadjian a likely member -- Dolmayan says the temporary cessation of SOAD business will likely further the band's career.

"It's hard to maintain focus after so many years of doing the same thing over and over again," he says. "We need a break from each other as well as the whole scene and the pressures of being in a band that's at the level were at."

As to how he'll spend the next couple of years, Dolmayan says he won't pursue a musical project of his own, noting he has no wish to be a songwriter, even admitting he's not that good at it. "Everyone's got a position, and I'm happy with mine." he said.

Instead, he'll spend the time doing something else he loves.

"I'm starting a comic book company based on the Internet ..., That's what I'll be pretty much diverting most of my attention to. It's my other passion -- I love music and comics are what I've also been into since I was a kid. I'm a nerd, man. I'm staying true to my nerd roots".

By MIKE BELL - Calgary Sun

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