Daron Malakian and Scars On Broadway
Addicted To The Violence
Virgin Music Group
Daron Malakian is one of the most distinctive songwriters in rock and metal, his unique take on the genres is so recognisable that everything he touches sounds like him no matter whether it’s Beatles-esque melodies, represented here on the psychedelic The Shame Game or full throttle polka influenced thrash outs like opener Killing Spree and infectious punk shout along number Satan Hussein. It also sounds exactly like Daron Malakian which in turn means it sounds like System Of A Down without Serj Tankian on later albums like Mesmerize and Hypnotize. This is no bad thing and we’ve really tried to listen to this as though his other band didn’t exist but when your style and voice is so etched into the popular psyche it’s hard not to.. A good example is the rollicking Done Me Wrong where you find yourself listening out for when Serj will do the response to his call. That being said this album easily stands up to any of his previous work and closing track Addicted To The Violence is the sixties peace anthem meets epic prog metal track you never knew you needed. Malakian is a genius of that there’s no doubt, with that comes a singular trademark voice and style that means he’s also cursed to be compared to the band that made him famous. On this record, particularly the closing track he’s truly let off the leash to go wherever he wants, and where he seems to feel at home on this album is by echoing a sixties anti war aesthetic through his own progressive Armenian punk metal sound. This is a must for fans of Daron Malakian and his indelible imprint on rock and metal, it’s also a must for fans of music that forges its own path.
Review by George Miller