Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin Daron Malakian - ON METAL (Part 2)
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Jan 2, 2026 
Daron Malakian, the talented guitarist and vocalist from System of a Down, dives deep into his experiences with heavy metal. He shares what he looks for in metal, discussing the significance of riffs, aggression, and mood in his songwriting. The conversation explores various metal subgenres, from the speed of thrash to the atmospheric qualities of black metal. Daron also reflects on the evolution of industrial metal and the impact of nu metal in the '90s, presenting a fascinating overview of metal's rich history and its transformative role in his artistry.
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From Fan To Playing With Metallica
- Daron Malakian got handed Kirk Hammett's Les Paul and played "Master of Puppets" on stage with Metallica for 60,000 people.
- He sang and nearly filled in for James Hetfield after the band injured himself on tour in 1999.
Learning Guitar Through Thrash Covers
- At age 11 Daron's introduction to thrash started with hearing Metallica in 1986 and learning guitar by playing covers.
- He credits Sabbath, Metallica, Maiden and Slayer for shaping his early guitar education.
Thrash Found Its Unique Voice
- Thrash evolved from clear Iron Maiden and Motorhead influences into a distinct, more polished voice.
- Bands like Overkill, Exodus and Testament shaped speed/thrash with tight riffs and hardcore energy.
