{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Infobox song | name = Protect the Land | cover = SOAD Protect the Land.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = [[System of a Down]] | album = | A-side = "[[Genocidal Humanoidz]]"<ref name="LP" /> | released = {{Start date|2020|11|6}} | recorded = October 2020 | studio = [[Dave's Room]] (North Hollywood)<ref name=liner>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Protect the Land / Genocidal Humanoidz |others=[[System of a Down]] |date=2020 |type=Single liner notes}}</ref> | genre = [[Alternative metal]] | length = {{duration|m=5|s=07}} | label = * [[American Recordings (record label)|American]] * [[Columbia Records|Columbia]] | writer = [[Daron Malakian]] | producer = * Daron Malakian | chronology = [[System of a Down]] | prev_title = [[Lonely Day]] | prev_year = 2006 | title2 = [[Genocidal Humanoidz]] | misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|XqmknZNg1yw|"Protect the Land"}}}} }}
"'''Protect the Land'''" is a song recorded by American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[System of a Down]]. It was released as a [[double A-side]] single with "[[Genocidal Humanoidz]]" on November 6, 2020, through [[American Recordings (record label)|American Recordings]] and [[Columbia Records]], to raise awareness and funds for [[Armenia]] and the unrecognised [[Republic of Artsakh]] amid the [[Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/system-of-a-down-return-new-songs-1234824261/ | title=System of a Down Returns After 15-Year Absence with Pair of Provocative, Political Songs | date=November 6, 2020 }}</ref> It is the band's first release in 15 years since their fifth studio album ''[[Hypnotize (album)|Hypnotize]]'' (2005),<ref name="NME">{{cite web|title=System Of A Down share first new songs in 15 years, 'Protect The Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/system-of-a-down-share-first-new-songs-in-15-years-protect-the-land-and-genocidal-humanoidz-2810433|work=[[NME]]|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> their first single in 14 years since "[[Lonely Day]]" (2006), and their first two singles to not feature their long-time producer [[Rick Rubin]]. It was instead produced by guitarist and vocalist [[Daron Malakian]], who had produced all of their albums (except for their [[System of a Down (album)|debut]]) along with Rubin. The two singles have raised over $600,000 that was donated to the [[Armenia Fund]] to help those who have been affected by the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/system-of-a-down-new-song-armenian-war.html|title=System of a Down Releases First New Music in 15 Years to Fundraise for Armenia|work=[[New York (magazine)|Vulture]]|date=November 6, 2020|accessdate=November 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/quentinsinger/2020/11/12/system-of-a-downs-new-singles-raised-over-600k-for-the-armenia-fund/|title=System Of A Down's New Singles Raised Over $600K For The Armenia Fund|work=[[Forbes]]|date=November 12, 2020|accessdate=November 19, 2020}}</ref>
==Background and release== {{Main|Second Nagorno-Karabakh War}} {{Quote box | quote = 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" and "[[Genocidal Humanoidz]]" both speak of a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]] and [[Armenia]]. | source = —The band about the inspiration behind the song.<ref name="RS" /> | quoted = true | bgcolor = #FFFFF0 | salign = center | align = left | width = 28% | border = 1px | fontsize = 90% }} "Protect the Land" was written by the band's guitarist and second singer [[Daron Malakian]] in 2018 along with another song about tensions involving the unrecognised [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]], called "Lives", for the second [[Scars on Broadway]] album, ''[[Dictator (Daron Malakian and Scars on Broadway album)|Dictator]]''.<ref name="RS">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/system-of-a-down-new-songs-protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-1085942/|title=Hear System of a Down's First New Music in 15 Years, 'Protect the Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> In late September 2020, after [[Second Nagorno-Karabakh War|a new war]] broke out between Armenia, Artsakh and Azerbaijan in the disputed [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] region, the band members started using their platforms to raise awareness of the issue. The band's lead singer [[Serj Tankian]], whose grandfather survived the 1915 [[Armenian genocide]], told ''[[The Fader]]'' that he sees a "high probability of genocide of Armenians" in Artsakh being carried out by Azerbaijan with the support of Turkey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Serj Tankian on the threat of genocide in Artsakh|url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/10/30/serj-tankian-on-the-threat-of-genocide-in-artsakh|work=[[The Fader]]|date=October 30, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> Tankian donated $250,000 to the [[Armenia Fund]] and also participated in an online fundraising concert called "Rock for Artsakh" in October.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Iconic musicians unite for Concert for Artsakh|url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/22/2112977/0/en/Iconic-musicians-unite-for-Concert-for-Artsakh|work=[[GlobeNewswire]]|date=October 22, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Serj Tankian donates $250,000 to Hayastan All-Armenian Fund|url=https://en.armradio.am/2020/10/08/serj-tankian-donates-250000-to-hayastan-all-armenian-fund/|work=[[Public Radio of Armenia]]|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref>
Within a few days of deciding to record, each musician started arranging his own part. Tankian developed his harmonies for "Protect the Land" while still in [[New Zealand]], where he lives part-time, and he later flew to [[Los Angeles]] on October 11 to join everyone in the studio. They finished tracking the cuts that week.<ref name="RS" /> Bassist [[Shavo Odadjian]] said 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".<ref name="NME" /> On November 6, 2020, "Protect the Land" was released along with "[[Genocidal Humanoidz]]" digitally as a double A-side single.<ref name="Amazon">{{Cite web |title=Protect The Land / Genocidal Humanoidz by System of a Down |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MS6SDPZ/ |access-date=November 6, 2020 |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon.com]]}}</ref> The artwork of the track features the [[flag of Armenia]] with the zig-zag chevron pattern of the [[flag of the Republic of Artsakh]] superimposed and the [[We Are Our Mountains]] monument in its capital [[Stepanakert]].<ref name="RS" /> It is the first release of the band in 15 years since their chart topping fifth studio album ''[[Hypnotize (album)|Hypnotize]]'' 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".<ref name="loudwire">{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-lyrics-video/|title=System of a Down Release First New Music in 15 Years|work=[[Loudwire]]|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref>
==Critical reception and composition== In a positive review for ''[[Metal Hammer|Louder]]'' magazine, Merlin Alderslade wrote that the track is "built around a massive, groovy, swaying Daron Malakian riff that recalls a little of ''[[Steal This Album!]]'' banger "Mr Jack". It sounds huge – a reminder of the guitarist's impeccable knack for a big hook – but really it's the vocals that steal the show here. Daron and lead vocalist Serj Tankian remain metal's greatest singing duo, and hearing their voices wrapped around each other in perfect harmony again doesn't so much pull on the heartstrings as slap them like a double bass".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/system-of-a-downs-new-music-our-first-impressions|title=System Of A Down's New Music: Our First Impressions|work=[[Metal Hammer|Louder]]|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> Kory Grow from ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote: "The track opens with a slow-churning guitar riff and Malakian and Tankian harmonizing lyrics that ask listeners what they would do if someone tried to push them from their homes. "Would you stay and take a stand?" they ask mournfully. "Would you stay with gun in hand? They protect the land". To drive it home, when they repeat those questions later, Malakian runs his hands up his guitar neck, imitating the sound of bombs falling".<ref name="RS" />
==Music video== [[File:Stepanakert bombardment by Azerbaijani forces on October 4, 2020 during the Nagorno Karabakh war.webm|thumb|The music video of the song features scenes from [[2020 bombardment of Stepanakert|the bombardment]] of [[Republic of Artsakh|Artsakh]]'s capital [[Stepanakert]].]] The [[music video]] for "Protect the Land" - directed by Shavo Odadjian and Ara Soudjian, and produced by Lara Aslanian - was uploaded to the band's [[YouTube]] channel on November 6, 2020.<ref name="loudwire" /> It features footage of Armenian soldiers on the frontlines, as well as shots of the band with projections of some of the footage Odadjian shot superimposed over their faces, similar to the band's “[[Toxicity (song)|Toxicity]]” video.<ref name="RS" />
While talking about the concept of the video, Odadjian said: "I brought in everyone from every age. We have babies, my two sons, the high priest of L.A. [Los Angeles], doctors, cab drivers, and soldiers in the video. At the same time, we have people in Armenia in Artsakh filming on the frontlines of the war going on. So the message is, 'I know we're thousands of miles away, but we stand with our troops and we stand for this one common cause as Armenians.'"
The Armenia segment was directed by Armen Soudjian, Arnold Ghazaryan, and co-directed and produced by Arman Nshanian. Soudjian and Nshanian, having respectable careers in the industry, used this as an opportunity to push Ghazaryan’s talent to the forefront. Ghazaryan, born and raised in Khachmach, a small village of Artsakh, was a soldier in the Artsakh war, and was severely wounded and injured during a battle ten days prior to the music video, as he was serving the Armenian army as a tank commander. He is showcased in the music video wearing his army uniform (in black) and walking in crutches. At only 19 years old, this was Ghazaryan’s directorial debut, which led to spark a young illustrious career, as he is now a multi-award winning filmmaker for several of his documentaries and short films.<ref name="RS" />
==Personnel== Personnel taken from ''Protect the Land / Genocidal Humanoidz'' liner notes.<ref name=liner>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Protect the Land / Genocidal Humanoidz |others=[[System of a Down]] |date=2020 |type=Single liner notes}}</ref>
'''System of a Down''' * [[Daron Malakian]] – vocals, guitars * [[Serj Tankian]] – vocals * [[Shavo Odadjian]] – bass * [[John Dolmayan]] – drums
'''Additional musician''' * Orbel Babayan – [[Organ (music)|organ]]
'''Technical personnel''' *Daron Malakian – production *[[Rich Costey]] – mixing *Paul Fig – engineering *[[Vlado Meller]] – mastering *Jeremy Lubsey – mastering assistance *Ara Soudjian – cover photo *Armen Keleshian – band photography *Sako Shahinian – album art design
==Charts== {{col-start}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for "Protect the Land" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak<br /> position |- ! scope="row"| [[ARIA Digital Track Chart|Australia Digital Tracks]] ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://postimg.cc/23DxTdVx|title=ARIA Digital Tracks|work=ARIA Report|agency=[[ARIA Charts]]|date=November 16, 2020|accessdate=November 21, 2020}}</ref> | 22 |- {{single chart|Flanders Tip|38|artist=System Of A Down|song=Protect the Land|rowheader=true|accessdate=December 5, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardcanadianhot100|88|artist=System Of A Down|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 17, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|40|artist=System Of A Down|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 19, 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| Czech Republic [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|Modern Rock]] ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ifpicr.cz/hitparada/21?weekId=2698|title=CZ - Radio - Top 20 Modern Rock|website=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]]|access-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref> | 3 |- ! scope="row"| [[Billboard Global 200|Global 200]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/glo/|title=System of a Down Chart History (Billboard Global 200)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref> | 192 |- ! scope="row"| [[Euro Digital Song Sales]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/ids/|title=System of a Down Chart History (Euro Digital Song Sales)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref> | 18 |- {{single chart|Hungarysingle|11|year=2020|week=46|artist=System Of A Down|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 19, 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Hot Singles ([[Recorded Music NZ|RMNZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2020-11-13|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=[[Recorded Music NZ]]|date=16 November 2020|access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> | 20 |- ! scope="row"| [[Scottish Singles Chart|Scotland]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20201113/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=13 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2022}}</ref> | 38 |- ! scope="row"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK Singles Sales]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-sales-chart/20201113/7509/|title=Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=13 November 2020|access-date=18 August 2021}}</ref> | 29 |- ! scope="row"|[[UK Singles Download Chart|UK Singles Downloads]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-downloads-chart/20201113/7000/|title=Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=13 November 2020|access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref> | 26 |- ! scope="row"|[[UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart|UK Rock & Metal]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-singles-chart/20201113/111/|title=Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|date=13 November 2020|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref> | 15 |- {{single chart|Billboarddigitalsongs|20|artist=System Of A Down|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 19, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|10|artist=System Of A Down|rowheader=true|accessdate=November 17, 2020}} |- ! scope="row"| US [[Hot Hard Rock Songs]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/hsg/|title=System Of A Down Chart History (Hot Hard Rock Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=November 26, 2020}}</ref> | 1 |- ! scope="row"| US [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Mainstream Rock]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/rtt/|title=System of a Down Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=November 9, 2022}}</ref> | 24 |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Year-end chart performance for "Protect the Land" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2021) ! scope="col"| Position |- !scope="row"| US [[Hot Hard Rock Songs]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-hard-rock-songs/|title=Year-End Charts: Hot Hard Rock Songs (2021)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref> | 39 |} {{col-end}}
==Release history== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Release dates and formats for "Protect the Land" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope="row"| Various | November 6, 2020 | {{Hlist|[[Music download|Download]]|[[Streaming media|streaming]]|[[Single (music)|7-inch]]}} | {{hlist|[[American Recordings (record label)|American]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]}} | <ref name="Amazon"/><ref name="LP">{{cite web|url=https://store.systemofadown.com/protect-the-land-genocidal-humanoidz-7-vinyl-digital-bundle.html|title=System Of A Down Protect The Land / Genocidal Humanoidz - 7" Vinyl|work=[[System of a Down|systemofadown.com]]|date=November 6, 2020|access-date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> |- |}
==See also== * "[[Genocidal Humanoidz]]"
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{YouTube|XqmknZNg1yw|"Protect the Land" music video}}
{{System of a Down}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:System of a Down songs]] [[Category:Songs written by Daron Malakian]] [[Category:2020 singles]] [[Category:American Recordings (record label) singles]] [[Category:Columbia Records singles]] [[Category:2020 songs]] [[Category:Second Nagorno-Karabakh War]]