It’s been a decade since System of a Down released a new album —and all has been quiet on the studio front since the artsy heavy rock quartet came back from a four-year-hiatus in 2010. But the wait may come to an end soon, the American newspaper The Oakland Press reports.

“We do want to get together after the tour to talk about writing, but who knows?” says drummer John Dolmayan. Right now SOAD is focused on the current Wake Up The Souls tour, which commemorates the Armenian Genocide Centennial. “But who knows.” Dolmayan adds. “Maybe things will happen on this tour that will inspire songs. Anything can surprise you.”

For Dolmayan and his friends, the tour “transcends the music.”

“This is more important than the next System of a Down album,” he says. “This is something that’s far-reaching, and it’s actually even bigger than the Armenian genocide itself. This is a world issue,” the musician said.  

SOAD has been at the forefront of that issue since its formation during 1994 in Los Angeles. Its campaign has carried more weight thanks to the success of its five platinum albums.

According to frontman Serj Tankian, it’s not only another opportunity to talk about the genocide and promote worldwide recognition of it but to also tie that in with events going on today.

“What’s important to us is the fact that genocide still occurs today,” Tankian explains. “There is no international, executable agreement, irrespective of the Genocide Convention and many ad hoc committees around the world. There’s nothing that all nations have signed that says when a genocide is occurring, all bets are off. ... It’s important to us to not just raise awareness but to help bring justice to this cause,” Tankian said.