Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin Daron Malakian - ON METAL (Part 1)
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Dec 31, 2025 
Daron Malakian, a founding member of System of a Down, delves into his deep-rooted passion for heavy metal. He discusses how iconic bands like Black Sabbath shaped the genre’s doom and vibe. From the theatrics of Kiss to the dual-guitar harmonies of Thin Lizzy, he highlights the visual influences in metal's evolution. Daron reflects on his childhood obsession with Ozzy’s imagery and how classic records taught him guitar techniques. The conversation also spans the punk influences that fueled thrash and the groundbreaking role of independent labels in metal's underground scene.
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Roots Beyond A Single Riff
- Heavy metal's core emerged from early psychedelic and blues experiments rather than a single invention like the power chord.
- Black Sabbath crystallized a persistent doom vibe that defined metal as a distinct genre.
Genre Names Often Originate From Songs
- The term 'heavy metal' itself came from a song lyric and followed the music rather than preceding it.
- Songs often name or birth genres as styles coalesce around a sound or trope.
Kiss Hooked Him Visually First
- Daron recalls seeing Kiss at age three or four and being both terrified and obsessed by their imagery.
- That visual experience hooked him on metal before he even knew the music.