System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is an Armenian American progressive metal band from Southern California, formed in 1994. It currently consists of Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals), Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Shavo Odadjian (bass, background vocals) and John Dolmayan (drums).
The band achieved commercial success with the release of five studio albums; from which three debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. System of a Down has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, and won the award in 2006 for Best Hard Rock Performance for the song "B.Y.O.B.". The group went on hiatus in August 2006, but reunited in November 2010, embarking on a worldwide tour in 2011 and 2012.