# Genocidal Humanoidz

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2020 single by System of a Down

"Genocidal Humanoidz" Single by System of a Down A-side "Protect the Land"[1] Released November 6, 2020 (2020-11-06) Recorded October 2020 Studio Dave's Room (North Hollywood)[2] Genre Alternative metal[3] Length 2:35 Label American Columbia Songwriter Daron Malakian Producer Daron Malakian System of a Down singles chronology "Lonely Day" (2006) "Protect the Land" / "Genocidal Humanoidz" (2020) Music video "Genocidal Humanoidz" on YouTube

"**Genocidal Humanoidz**" is a song recorded by American [heavy metal](/source/Heavy_metal_music) band [System of a Down](/source/System_of_a_Down). It was released as a [double A-side](/source/Double_A-side) single with "[Protect the Land](/source/Protect_the_Land)" on November 6, 2020, through [American Recordings](/source/American_Recordings_(record_label)) and [Columbia Records](/source/Columbia_Records), to raise awareness and funds for [Armenia](/source/Armenia) and the self-proclaimed [Republic of Artsakh](/source/Republic_of_Artsakh) amid the [Second Nagorno-Karabakh War](/source/Second_Nagorno-Karabakh_War). It is the band's first release in 15 years since their fifth studio album *[Hypnotize](/source/Hypnotize_(album))* (2005),[4] their first single in 14 years since "[Lonely Day](/source/Lonely_Day)" (2006), and their first two singles to not feature their long-time producer [Rick Rubin](/source/Rick_Rubin). It was instead produced by guitarist and vocalist [Daron Malakian](/source/Daron_Malakian), who had produced all of their albums (except for their [debut](/source/System_of_a_Down_(album))) along with Rubin. The two singles have raised over $600,000 that was donated to the [Armenia Fund](/source/Armenia_Fund) to help those who have been affected by the war.[5][6]

## Background and release

Main article: [Second Nagorno-Karabakh War](/source/Second_Nagorno-Karabakh_War)

We as System Of A Down have just released new music for the first time in 15 years. The time to do this is now, as together, the four of us have something extremely important to say as a unified voice. These two songs, "[Protect The Land](/source/Protect_the_Land)" and "Genocidal Humanoidz" both speak of a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of [Artsakh](/source/Republic_of_Artsakh) and [Armenia](/source/Armenia).

— The band about the inspiration behind the song.[7]

"Genocidal Humanoidz" was written by the band's guitarist and second singer [Daron Malakian](/source/Daron_Malakian) three or four years before its release during a [jam session](/source/Jam_session) between the band members. Several other songs were written as well during the meeting, but all of them were dropped after the band's lead singer [Serj Tankian](/source/Serj_Tankian) did not commit to releasing a new album.[7] In late September 2020, after [a new war](/source/Second_Nagorno-Karabakh_War) broke out between Armenia, Artsakh and Azerbaijan in the disputed [Nagorno-Karabakh](/source/Nagorno-Karabakh) region, the band members started using their platforms to raise awareness of the issue. Tankian, whose grandfather survived the 1915 [Armenian genocide](/source/Armenian_genocide), told *[The Fader](/source/The_Fader)* that he sees a "high probability of genocide of Armenians" in Artsakh being carried out by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey.[8] Tankian donated $250,000 to the [Armenia Fund](/source/Armenia_Fund) and also participated in an online fundraising concert called "Rock for Artsakh" in October.[9][10]

The group got together in 2020 to record "[Protect the Land](/source/Protect_the_Land)",[7] with bassist [Shavo Odadjian](/source/Shavo_Odadjian) saying that "it was such a pleasure for us to be together in the studio again, very comforting and natural, like no time had passed at all".[4] The band's [manager](/source/Manager) said the song captured the importance of the moment, but urged the band members to record another song with a heavier tune to complement it. Thus, all of them agreed on recording "Genocidal Humanoidz".[7] On November 6, 2020, "Genocidal Humanoidz" was released along with "Protect the Land" digitally as a double A-side single.[11] The artwork of the track features the [flag of Armenia](/source/Flag_of_Armenia) with the zig-zag chevron pattern of the [flag of the Republic of Artsakh](/source/Flag_of_the_Republic_of_Artsakh) superimposed and the [We Are Our Mountains](/source/We_Are_Our_Mountains) monument in its capital [Stepanakert](/source/Stepanakert).[7] It is the first release of the band in 15 years since their chart topping fifth studio album *[Hypnotize](/source/Hypnotize_(album))* from 2005. In an official statement released on their website after the singles' premiere, the band said they hoped their fans would listen to the songs and "be inspired to speak out about the horrific injustices and human rights violations occurring there now".[12]

## Critical reception and composition

According to Malakian, the song's original lyrics only had to be slightly changed to "make it work with the message we're trying to send out now". He also said that "the song really matched up well [with "Protect the Land"]", adding that the word "humanoids" came to him from the late wrestling manager [Bobby "The Brain" Heenan](/source/Bobby_%22The_Brain%22_Heenan), who used to call the audience "a bunch of humanoids, like a bunch of idiots".[7]

In a positive review for *[Louder](/source/Metal_Hammer)* magazine, Merlin Alderslade wrote that the song "is a different beast altogether, clocking in at half of Protect The Land's running time and diving into System's heavier and more scatty, frenetic side. Razor-sharp riffs peel off frantic, hollering yelps from Serj at lightning pace, before the song leaps into a bouncy [nu metal](/source/Nu_metal) stomp and, finally, explodes into a tremolo and blastbeat-fuelled [extreme metal](/source/Extreme_metal) meltdown". Additionally, Alderslade declared "he might spout some dodgy opinions these days, but [John Dolmayan](/source/John_Dolmayan) puts in an absolutely powerhouse performance here, smashing the ever living shit out of the kit while sounding tighter than a [Khabib Nurmagomedov](/source/Khabib_Nurmagomedov) chokehold".[13]

## Music video

The [music video](/source/Music_video) for "Genocidal Humanoidz", directed by Shavo Odadjian and Adam Mason, was uploaded to the band's [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel on January 31, 2021.[14]

## Personnel

Personnel taken from *Protect the Land / Genocidal Humanoidz* liner notes.[2]

**System of a Down**

- [Daron Malakian](/source/Daron_Malakian) – vocals, guitars

- [Serj Tankian](/source/Serj_Tankian) – vocals

- [Shavo Odadjian](/source/Shavo_Odadjian) – bass

- [John Dolmayan](/source/John_Dolmayan) – drums

**Technical personnel**

- Daron Malakian – production

- [Rich Costey](/source/Rich_Costey) – mixing

- Paul Fig – engineering

- [Vlado Meller](/source/Vlado_Meller) – mastering

- Jeremy Lubsey – mastering assistance

- Ara Soudjian – cover photo

- Armen Keleshian – band photography

- Sako Shahinian – album art design

## Charts

Chart performance for "Genocidal Humanoidz" Chart (2020) Peak position Australia Digital Tracks (ARIA)[15] 27 Canada Digital Songs (Billboard)[16] 8 Hungary (Single Top 40)[17] 14 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[18] 26 UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[19] 33 US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[20] 24 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[21] 15 US Hot Hard Rock Songs (Billboard)[22] 2

## Release history

Release dates and formats for "Genocidal Humanoidz" Region Date Format Label Ref. Various November 6, 2020 Download streaming 7-inch American Columbia [11][1]

## See also

- [Protect the Land](/source/Protect_the_Land)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LP_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LP_1-1) ["System Of A Down Protect The Land / Genocidal Humanoidz - 7" Vinyl"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201106073739/https://store.systemofadown.com/protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-7-vinyl-digital-bundle.html). *[systemofadown.com](/source/System_of_a_Down)*. November 6, 2020. Archived from [the original](https://store.systemofadown.com/protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-7-vinyl-digital-bundle.html) on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-liner_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-liner_2-1) *Protect the Land / Genocidal Humanoidz* (Single liner notes). [System of a Down](/source/System_of_a_Down). 2020.{{[cite AV media notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_AV_media_notes)}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_others_in_cite_AV_media_(notes)))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["System of a Down veröffentlichen zwei neue Songs "Protect the Land" und "Genocidal Humanoidz""](https://www.visions.de/news/system-of-a-down-veroeffentlichen-zwei-neue-songs-protect-the-land-und-genocidal-humanoidz/). November 6, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NME_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NME_4-1) ["System Of A Down share first new songs in 15 years, 'Protect The Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz'"](https://www.nme.com/news/music/system-of-a-down-share-first-new-songs-in-15-years-protect-the-land-and-genocidal-humanoidz-2810433). *[NME](/source/NME)*. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["System of a Down Releases First New Music in 15 Years to Fundraise for Armenia"](https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/system-of-a-down-new-song-armenian-war.html). *[Vulture](/source/New_York_(magazine))*. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["System Of A Down's New Singles Raised Over $600K For The Armenia Fund"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/quentinsinger/2020/11/12/system-of-a-downs-new-singles-raised-over-600k-for-the-armenia-fund/). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)*. November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-RS_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-RS_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-RS_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-RS_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-RS_7-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-RS_7-5) ["Hear System of a Down's First New Music in 15 Years, 'Protect the Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz'"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/system-of-a-down-new-songs-protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-1085942/). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Serj Tankian on the threat of genocide in Artsakh"](https://www.thefader.com/2020/10/30/serj-tankian-on-the-threat-of-genocide-in-artsakh). *[The Fader](/source/The_Fader)*. October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Iconic musicians unite for Concert for Artsakh"](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/22/2112977/0/en/Iconic-musicians-unite-for-Concert-for-Artsakh). *[GlobeNewswire](/source/GlobeNewswire)* (Press release). October 22, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Serj Tankian donates $250,000 to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund"](https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/08/serj-tankian-donates-250000-to-hayastan-all-armenian-fund/). *[Public Radio of Armenia](/source/Public_Radio_of_Armenia)*. October 8, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Amazon_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Amazon_11-1) ["Protect The Land / Genocidal Humanoidz by System of a Down"](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MS6SDPZ/). *[Amazon.com](/source/Amazon_(company))*. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-loudwire_12-0)** ["System of a Down Release First New Music in 15 Years"](https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-lyrics-video/). *[Loudwire](/source/Loudwire)*. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["System Of A Down's New Music: Our First Impressions"](https://www.loudersound.com/features/system-of-a-downs-new-music-our-first-impressions). *[Louder](/source/Metal_Hammer)*. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** System of a Down (January 31, 2021). ["System Of A Down - Genocidal Humanoidz (Official Video)"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VvmixeowNI). Retrieved February 6, 2021 – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["ARIA Digital Tracks"](https://postimg.cc/23DxTdVx). *ARIA Report*. [ARIA Charts](/source/ARIA_Charts). November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["System of a Down Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/cns/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 9, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Hungarysingle_System_Of_A_Down_17-0)** "[Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ](https://slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2020/46)" (in Hungarian). [Single (track) Top 40 lista](/source/Association_of_Hungarian_Record_Companies). Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 19 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["NZ Hot Singles Chart"](https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2020-11-13). [Recorded Music NZ](/source/Recorded_Music_NZ). November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40"](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-singles-chart/20201113/111/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). November 13, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboarddigitalsongs_System_Of_A_Down_20-0)** "[System Of A Down Chart History (Digital Song Sales)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/System-Of-A-Down/chart-history/HDS)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardrocksongs_System_Of_A_Down_21-0)** "[System Of A Down Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/System-Of-A-Down/chart-history/ARK)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["System Of A Down Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)"](https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/hsg/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved November 26, 2020.

## External links

- ["Genocidal Humanoidz" audio video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_74nVpLVn9Q) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

v t e System of a Down Serj Tankian Daron Malakian Shavo Odadjian John Dolmayan Ontronik "Andy" Khachaturian Studio albums System of a Down Toxicity Steal This Album! Mezmerize Hypnotize Singles "Sugar" "Spiders" "Chop Suey!" "Toxicity" "Aerials" "B.Y.O.B." "Question!" "Hypnotize" "Lonely Day" "Protect the Land" / "Genocidal Humanoidz" Promotional singles "Innervision" "Boom!" Tours and concerts Reunion Tour Wake Up the Souls Tour Linkin Park and Friends: Celebrate Life in Honor of Chester Bennington Related Discography Axis of Justice "Charades" Cool Gardens Glaring Through Oblivion Screamers Serart Scars on Broadway Achozen Buckethead & Friends The F.C.C. Mt. Helium Fair to Midland Arto Tunçboyacıyan Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Genocidal Humanoidz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocidal_Humanoidz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocidal_Humanoidz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.