Voice of the Apocalypse. (Photo: SerjTankian.com)

[by Scott Thill]

But that hasn't stopped him from doing whatever he can whenever he works, whether for online activists Axis of Justice -- co-founded with Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello -- or in the halls of Washington. At bottom, he's a man against violence, which is ironic considering how much his music makes you want to bang your head until your brains come out.

Now Serj Tankian is back with his first solo effort, aptly named Elect the Dead, which rocks as hard as anything SOAD has done. Think Romper Room meets Abu Ghraib and you're there.

Morphizm: Elect the Dead? Anyone specific you're thinking of?
Serj Tankian: It's open to interpretation. It could be political, but not necessarily. The song it's named after is non-political.

Morphizm: Are you worried about election 2008 at all?
Serj Tankian: Yes, but ultimately it's not leaders we need to lead us but ourselves. We also need to do away with the electoral college and rely on popular vote in a real democracy. And while we're at it, we would do well to vote for people that best represent our values not just those who think will win.

Morphizm: Do you think we'll make it with our impending attack on Iran?
Serj Tankian: We need to first apologize to Iran for helping to overthrow their democratically elected government in the 1950s led by prime minister Mussadaq, and installing a King (the Shah) whose repression led to the people bringing in a religious leader to lead them. We need to be aware of the repercussions of our long-term policies in the Middle East. We should not be talking about invading any other countries right now. Iran is no more a threat to us than Grenada.

Morphizm: How goes the process of getting Congress to wake up to Armenian genocide?
Serj Tankian: Because of the passing of H.Res. 106 through the foreign relations committee, and Bush's opposition to the bill, Americans are much more aware of the first genocide of the 20th century. However the pressure placed by high-powered lobbying firms (paid for by Turkey), the administration and the military industrial complex have made it very difficult for Congress to vote their true conscience. I don't think it's fair that a foreign government should be voting in the U.S. Congress on something that is an affirmation of our own archives.

Morphizm: Between Serart, two System discs and now this solo effort, when do you sleep?
Serj Tankian: I'm always writing music. I have hundreds of unreleased tracks for varying genres and styles. I use some for film compositions, video games, collaborations for System or the solo record.

Morphizm: What does the solo enterprise offer you as an artist?
Serj Tankian: As a composer and songwriter, it's an uncompromising realization of my vision with my own hands.

Morphizm: Could any of these songs worked with System?
Serj Tankian: Possibly, but it didn't work out that way.

Morphizm: Has technology and the internet exploded the envelope for artists working on their own?
Serj Tankian: Sure. I've recorded most of the record in my own studio. It's afforded me a more direct connection with fans of the music, which is always great. And a more accessible avenue for expression of sociopolitical thought and activism.

Morphizm: Finally, terrorism and freedom fighting. Are you concerned it's taken the focus off of our precarious environmental situation?
Serj Tankian: Now that we know we're being blatantly lied to, we should be critical more than ever of the actions of this administration politically and on climate change issues.

Morphizm: Is there a time when you sit down to create when none of these things crowd your mind?
Serj Tankian: When I write music, I never have anything on my mind, just channeling. As for lyrics, the thoughts are filtered from times before and come out to complement the emotive representation of the tunes.

Morphizm: Any predictions for the crazy year to come?
Serj Tankian: 2008 is going to make 2007 look like 1999. Civilization is over. I think people will realize it soon enogh.

November 1, 2007