Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
The alternative metal group Scars On Broadway, led by Armenian-American nu metal superstar System Of A Down‘s Daron Malakian, has been the target of a deluge of unfavorable comments, as reported by theprp. Scars’ third studio album, “Addicted To The Violence,” was released on July 18, 2025. Additionally, it was the band’s first new full-length album since 2018. Despite Malakian‘s high-profile status amid the metal scene, the album mostly slipped under the radar – a trend worsened by his lack of touring on it.
Nevertheless, the visualizer for the song “Your Lives Burn” from “Addicted To The Violence” was released earlier this week by Scars On Broadway, also known as Daron Malakian And Scars On Broadway. The song, which is a firmly neutral protest anthem, contrasts with the contentious political and social justice themes that are frequently present in System Of A Down‘s body of work. “Your Lives Burn” is more of an observation than a rallying cry, since it lazily denounces media and political exploitation of the populace rather than supporting a cause or associating with a political or ideological side.
Of course, vocalist Serj Tankian was a major contributor to System of A Down‘s catalog, which frequently included humanitarian and left-leaning viewpoints. Even though he doesn’t agree with all of the band’s activism, Malakian is inextricably linked to it as the main songwriter of System Of A Down due to his vocal library. Malakian is not the only System of A Down member who is bound by Tankian‘s convictions. In actuality, the group’s members exhibit an odd political allegiance paradox. The politics of drummer John Dolmayan, a vocal supporter of US President Donald J. Trump, stand in stark contrast to those of Tankian.
Notwithstanding Malakian’s lamented linguistic neutrality on this song, the provocative imagery linked to communism, Christianity, Nazism, and other topics in the David Provan visualizer for “Your Lives Burn” below only served to fan the flames. Most of the criticism thrown toward Malakian regarding this song rests upon him failing to successfully select a side — an unsurprising development given how polarized political opinions have become with their continual weaponization in the social media age. Others, however, have started dissecting the song’s musical merits.
Well I’m sick of the left and I’m sick of the right
Clickbait causes the cage fights
Political bias has run amok
Cancel me I don’t give a fuckYour lives burn in the fire
Rise up to the motherfuckin’ liars
The politicians and the media conspire
While your lives burn in the fire
Your lives burn in the fire
Rise up to the motherfuckin’ liars
The politicians and the media conspire
While your lives burn in the fireThey’re trickin’ the weak and then they’re countin’ the sheep
Rich woke preachers won’t let you sleep
They brand all the victims and they conquer us all
United we stand divided we fallYour lives burn in the fire
Rise up to the motherfuckin’ liars
The politicians and the media conspire
While your lives burn in the fire
Your lives burn in the fire
Rise up to the motherfuckin’ liars
The politicians and the media conspire
While your lives burn in the fireI’m a rude crude rabbit with a really bad habit
If you wanna bring the static all my guns are automatic
I’m a rude crude rabbit with a really bad habit
I’d rather live with the vermin and the maggotsYour lives burn in the fire
Rise up to the motherfuckin’ liars
The politicians and the media conspire
While your lives burn in the fire
Your lives burn in the fire
Rise up to the motherfuckin’ liars
The politicians and the media conspire
While your lives burn in the fire
Burn in the fire
Burn in the fire
