Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring​ Daron Malakian from System Of A Down 

His writing helped me as a kid living in a house with no light no water 9 years old with parents as drug addicts feeling alone I just had my little CD player and head phones and my friend had burned the system of the down album for me and I would listen to it every night saved my life in a way

Probably the most normal Daron interview ever.

I like that Daron never tried to be a shredder, he's an inspiration for us non shredder metal guitarists

“I never practiced, I played” I feel that on so many levels

I’m not actually watching daron, I’m watching his moustache

Daron looking like a metal Salvador Dali

ah yes, the transformation from High On Meth Young Man Daron Malakian to Strange And Stoic Wise Old Man Daron Malakian is nearly complete

This guy is proof that melody is so important. You don't have to shred to be considered a good guitar player. It's fun to go balls to the wall, but the most important thing to put behind your playing is your spirit, it's your emotion, your soul, that drives the sound into the minds of others.

This is the best interview with Daron Malakian I've ever seen on RU-vid. My hero. Such an amazing songwriter.

It's strange to see Daron not saying Fellatio every time during this interview

Because of his voice he constantly sounds like he's about to cry or he's really emotional. Also his eyes are the most beautiful thing

Just listening to Daron play the guitar without any other instruments is just amazing, his tone, just everything about the way he plays is just mesmerizing

Daron might not be the most technical player in existence but he is literally the reason I started playing guitar with the catchy melodic system riffs he created.

Lost in Hollywood is such an amazing song.

I love that 4 guys have basically created their own sub-genre of Metal and even after taking different routes have only expanded it

We shall riot if SOAD isn't inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame their first year of eligibility.

The god of drop c

Daron is one of the most underrated songwriters in history. His passion is incredible and you can feel it through his music.

String Theory featuring​ Daron Malakian from System Of A Down : "It's the orange pack."

Daron's contribution to the scene over the last 25 years is beyond recognition.

"I didn't pick music, music picked me." Deep bro, I feel you.

His eyes are so kind I just want to hug the guy

scars on broadway is wildly underrated

It's not very often someone is both massively respected and underrated at the same time, but Daron is, for sure. This dude is such a brilliant musician.

Legend...

*sees daron malakian in title* *no ads anywhere* Yep... makes sense

His shit definitely changed my life, that’s for sure.

What a humble genius.

Who else wants Ibanez to make a Daron Makalian signature Ibanez Iceman

Those distortion tones are sick

I got into S.O.A.D. when I found I had Armenian roots and I researched the country, found the sad history and wanted to support Armenian art, I googled "Armenian heavy metal' and found System. This was last year. I wish I'd found you guys a LOT earlier. Loving the music.

He plays what moves him, what he feels. I have so much more respect for that than "look how fast I can play."

When i see daron malakian i clicked

System of a Down is a rite of passage. Any metalhead would have listened to them at some point and would still probably enjoy them today!

One positive thing about my depression and loneliness is that I’ve gotten better on guitar. I’ve met Daron when I lived in Ventura. He knows how I feel. Great video. Thanks, D

Fuck he is a genius. His riffs are so unpretentious and it seems like a true reflection of a deep part of who he is. I love this man.

I started playing guitar because of Daron Malakian.

"My parents got me a guitar because they can't turn off the drums" That's both better and worse than "it's very expensive"

Daron is a very intelligent artist, we don't get the chance to hear from him but when we do we get to know more about art and identity, Daron is the mastermind behind Soad, Serj, John, and Shavo have really contributed in the making of Soad sound and without them, Soad would never achieve such success and claim such originality, but thanks to the sincerity of Daron and the amount of dedication and perspective he put into these songs, we got such a band. I have always valued the presence of Daron and his touch and talents, his voice is really warm and flexible, his riffs are well educated and rich, his open-mindedness and diversity made Soad more fun to listen, Scars of broadway are another example that demonstrates the close relationship between Daron and the sense of melody. As an artist I have learned from both guys Serj and Daron, I gained my musical personality thanks to their direct inspiration I was able to cover their complex songs because I was inspired by their comic and harmonious performance to the point of sharing the same existential mood that shapes their songs. The world is very meaningful with such characters. Keep being yourselves.

He is not just a musician, his spirit is the spirit of complete artist. This was a very good interview that you can learn from it

He made the soundtrack for the world post-9/11.

Daron's riff guitar tone in "Steal this album!" is so perfect.

it's funny he really mentions where he comes from, because years ago, I notcied how SOAD doesn't sound anything like "mainstream" late 90's early 2000's rock/metal music, so i had to look up their "country of origin" and that's when everything clicked for me, it all made sense and it's why I've grown to love their music so much more than anything of the time. **I come from a classical background in music training, hearing the sounds of middle eastern music was so very distinct and stood out in a very certain way, that's why their music "clicked" for me.

I would pay a lot of money to just talk about music with Daron.

hopefully one day Serj and Daron will make music together again

Well he may sometimes seem crazy or really high on stage, but he sounds like a very down to earth guy, amazing interview, one of my biggest influences to pick up a guitar

They never made him change anything because he’s a mastermind. All of them are completely genius.

Daron malakian is the coolest man ever

Imagine you are the cameraman,staying in front of Daron while he is playing only for you in this room.....

This man is the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. Fantastic interview. Thanks Ernie Ball!

He's written some insanely catchy riffs in his time, will always love SOAD.

I will forever be grateful to Vahe Kallibjian for being in the AOL chatroom for the Deftones in 1997 and telling me about this band SYSTEM OF A DOWN and sending me a mix tape of theirs ... Suite Pea was the first song I ever heard and from the moment I heard it, i fell in love with the band. Then got to meet them in person when they opened for Slayer and Clutch. and well, meeting Daron and the other guys opened up my entire world. I was lost. And then I felt like I was seen for the first time in my life. Daron is such a brilliant artist and musician and his music over the years has been the most profound music I have ever heard.

Now we finally know how ATWA is pronounced.

Songs Played By Daron Malakian 0:00 Aerials 3:01 Toxicity 4:07 Lost In Hollywood 6:47 Suite-Pee 9:28 Guns Are Loaded 11:42 Universe 13:36 Chop Suey 17:16 Angry Guru

When my best friend took his life, listening Aerials was the first time I cried. I have a beautiful memory of waking up to him playing that song on my LTD M-300. He was the drummer in our band. I still miss him. Almost 20 years ago.

Best 19 minutes of my life spent. Lol. I've always wanted to have a glimpse into Daron's universe. This was awesome!

"I like to inspire." You do a damn good job. Daron's the reason I started playing guitar, it's because of Daron I found that music was in my blood. There is no feeling like the feeling that I get when I play guitar or sing. Thanks Daron.

Parenting job: DONE RIGHT!!

watching him play so relaxed and calmed feels illegal.

Daron is proof that you don't have to be a shredder to be a legendary guitarist

Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Adam Jones. Bring it!!

"I don't think I picked music, music picked me. I don't know where I'd be without it, it's always been a part of my identity" I wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

Daron is such a sweet and honest dude. It's heartwarming watching this interview. He has an amazing ability to compose thinking of a band and not overdoing it. His riffs are simple but when you add the whole thing it's really well-crafted and intricate. I didn't see that when I was younger, I loved them, but I didn't see how complex it is sometimes. Loved the interview.

My idol, my main influence! That Iceman is f***'in sick!

There are thousands of people learning to shred and trying to be tehnical, while Daron uses his creativity and approaches guitar totally different.

One of the real legends of music imo. Daron is able to act through his craft, he can also play like a demon! He is an inspiration, and I love it, and I am so thankful for what he has done over the years man.

All of my favorite guitar players are not shredders, but they always compose to contribute to the song. I love that you can listen to those isolated guitar parts and still understand the context of the song. He composed them with the song in his mind, and not to show off a technique or something.

My highschool was not as memorable as it was if there's no SOAD songs hitting on my ears.

Saw this man live in San Diego about a week and a half ago. His stage demeanor is one that demands and kicks the crowds ass, yet he is such a polite and thoughtful dude. Respect.

I guess, what Daron trying to express is that you dont have to be technical guitarist to make good music. You just have to be honest and creative.

In soad video comments, everyone talking about how good Serj is, nobody is talking about extremely talented Daron and his super song writing ability.

SOAD one of my favourite bands! 🤘😍🎸🔥 Great video

Daron has always looked like he’s either 15 or 50

I really wish my wife and I had that discussion before we bought my sons drum set😐.

“i don’t pull from anything” except for the tapeworm out if your ass

A true artist and the real foundation of SOAD.

"I gotta love it -- and I gotta really love it -- to convince you to love it." That really stuck with me as a musician. Very admirable!

Darons voice always makes me so sad i love him to death and i hate that soad had to part ways but i can speak for us all in saying that his music made most of us the way we are. Unfiltered, honest, understanding, maniacs.

Its crazy how mature and powerful his playing and tone have become but you can still hear his much younger crazy self in his sound

Never thought this guy could actually sound like a normal musician for a change. Glad he matured better than I expected. Either way, I appreciated more the genuine honesty and spur of the moment silliness. True to form, as they say. Love this guy’s riff. Talented as hell. Listened to many hard rock and heavy metal music out there for years. This guy brought the baddest and catchiest riffs which to this day is addictive. Glad he’s still out there keeping it real and making music. Don’t ever stop dude. You’re a true original of your era. Simply. Awesome.

I feel like he roasted Serj when he said that guitar is better than a keyboard😂

Darons on another level of riff making

At 3:45 if you turn subtitles on, it says "("B.Y.O.B" by System of a Down)" when it is clearly toxicity.

He looks different without his eyes bugging out of his head

When your stars are baked, and your rivers fly, do you ever believe you were stuck in the sky?

Who thinks this guy is an international treasure, apart from me? He is so inspirational. :D

What a splendid string Ernie Ernie string Every minute, every second Buy buy buy buy buy

I love how real and honest he is, no ego, just a guy who writes music and plays guitar. He’s the GOAT imo, a true guitar God

Daron is the reason why I picked up a guitar at 12 years old. Growing up my older brothers blasted System and I naturally grew to love their music. Without playing music I wouldn’t be the person I am today. So thanks for being an inspiration to me and everyone who loves your music🙏🏻

I f#%king love you malakian

Uncredited Songs: 6:47 Suite Pee by System Of A Down 8:50 Suite Pee by System Of A Down 9:29 Guns are Loaded by Daron Malakian and Scars On Broadway 11:42 Universe by Scars On Broadway 16:14 Angry Guru by Daron Malakian and Scars On Broadway

One of the most honest interviews I've seen. Very pure and true. I became a fan of his style when toxicity came out.... You just can't deny the force and power his music translates....The melodies he generates are catchy and full of emotion.... An art....... Big fan of his style...

“I always wanted to play the drums” *drums pop up outta nowhere in the background*

when my mom wasn't beating me as a kid she was playing the toxicity cd. Some of the first songs I learned on guitar in that broken home.. atwa, chop suey, ariels, sugar. The early two thousands were a legit trip.

Love him and love SOAD. Can't help but feel he was on the verge of tears during this interview, very very intimate. Man what I'd do to have a 9 hour jam session with him, Josh Homme and Chino Moreno in one room.

Oh damn, this guy is like the best thing that ever happened to the world. I love him.

10:45 Daron was literally the one to inspire me to pick up guitar. It was by complete chance, I was like 12 or 13 & my friend was at my place, being bored with me. We rummage through an old CD drawer and find Mezmerize among the stack. Put it in, and I was immediately sent down a rabbit hole of going through their entire catalog. Within a few months my parents got me a shitty First Act for really cheap just to see if I would stick with it; a few months later, I got a decent BC Rich for Christmas. Within a few years, the first nice guitar I got was a used Ibanez IC400. Been playing close to 10 years now all because of that one fateful bored summer-break afternoon.

He's one of the people who literally made me want to even pick up a guitar, Daron is a beautiful human being and words can't describe how thankful I am of him. ♥

Daron Malakian Is A Criminally Underrated Guitarist

"I never felt like I was practicing, I was just playing". That's how I always feel with my guitar!