SOAD returns: Summer 2025 stadium concerts + co-headliners and guests revealed

System of a Down (SOAD) has announced three monumental stadium concerts for summer 2025, marking a rare live appearance for the Armenian-American alt-metal band. The band has been largely inactive since their 2005 double release of Mezmerize and Hypnotize. Other than that, the last creative output from the band was in late 2020 with the new songs "Protect the Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz."

Known for their politically charged lyrics and unique blend of heavy metal and Armenian folk influences, SOAD has chosen to focus on selective, high-impact performances in recent years, rather than extensive touring​.

The mini-tour kicks off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 28, featuring nu-metal icons Korn as co-headliners. Korn, pioneers of the genre, are currently working on their 15th studio album, rumored to revisit their heavier roots​.

On August 31, Soldier Field in Chicago will host the band alongside Avenged Sevenfold (A7X). This will be A7X’s only U.S. appearance of the year, amidst a busy European tour​.

Extra incentive to see these System of a Down/Korn performances

The final show takes place on September 3 at Rogers Stadium in Toronto, joined by Deftones. Known for their atmospheric, experimental style, Deftones are anticipated to release a new album before the tour​, making 2025 seem even more like a light "nu-metal" resurgence. Opening all three concerts will be the genre-blending instrumental band Polyphia and the rising nu-gaze act Wisp, adding a progressive edge to these events​.

Tickets for these eagerly awaited shows began to go on sale Friday, December 13, following pre-sales earlier in the week​.

SOAD, comprising Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian, and John Dolmayan, returned from a hiatus in 2011 but have largely refrained from long tours. There has been some finger-pointing bout why the band has been mostly inactive. Daron Malakian went on record saying, "I don’t want to throw Serj under the bus — he’s my friend and he’s someone that I care about — but I don’t know how to change his mind. We’ve all sat down and we’ve had meetings, and he’s totally set in his way of thinking..."

In other words: Their live appearances are increasingly exclusive, underscoring the significance of these summer 2025 performances​. At one point, the band was even considering a new vocalist. However, the band has still been able to put differences aside enough to perform live, out of either love or business discipline, and that is what fans will be counting on in 2025.