Serj Tankian is best known for his work with System of a Down, where his voice, songwriting and performance style helped define the band’s sound. An Armenian-American musician and activist, he has also built a wide solo and collaborative catalogue across rock, experimental music and film scoring.
Quick Facts
Canonical Name
Serj Tankian
Born
August 21, 1967
Birthplace
Lebanon
Country
United States
Occupations
singer, songwriter, activist, guitarist, record producer, rock musician, writer, composer, musician
Instruments
voice, keyboard instrument, guitar
Gender
male
Genres
alternative metal, nu metal, pop music, opera, alternative rock, art rock, experimental rock, folk, hard rock, industrial rock, metal, progressive rock, rock
Serj Tankian is an Armenian-American musician best known for his work with System of a Down. Born in Lebanon, he has been active since 1992 and has developed a career that extends well beyond the band, moving between solo projects, collaborations and soundtrack work.
Career Timeline
Year / Period
Event
Detail
Source
1967
Born
Lebanon
Wikidata
1992
Career Start
Active period begins
Wikidata
1994–present
Member of
System of a Down
MusicBrainz
2012–present
Member of
Jazz-Iz-Christ
MusicBrainz
1991–1993
Member of
Forever Young
MusicBrainz
Date not specified
Member of
Fuktronic
MusicBrainz
Date not specified
Member of
Axis of Justice
MusicBrainz
Date not specified
Member of
Serart
MusicBrainz
Musical Roles
Tankian is a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, composer and record producer whose work often blends rock with more experimental and theatrical elements. His listed genres include alternative metal, nu metal, alternative rock, art rock, experimental rock, hard rock, industrial rock, progressive rock, pop music and opera.
Role
Source
singer
Wikidata
songwriter
Wikidata
activist
Wikidata
guitarist
Wikidata
record producer
Wikidata
rock musician
Wikidata
writer
Wikidata
composer
Wikidata
musician
Wikidata
Bands and Projects
Band / Project
Relationship
Source
System of a Down
Member of
Wikidata
Releases and Appearances
MusicBrainz lists several release entries connected to Serj Tankian.
These entries may include solo releases, guest appearances, live recordings, and catalogued metadata records.
MusicBrainz-listed Releases and Appearances
Title
Year
Type
Classification
Source
Covers, Collaborations & Collages
2025
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Foundations
2024
EP
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Invocations
2023
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street
2022
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Live at Leeds
2022
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Perplex Cities
2022
EP
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Cinematique Series: Illuminate
2021
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Cinematique Series: Violent Violins
2021
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Truth to Power (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
2021
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
I Am Not Alone (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
2021
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Cool Gardens Poetry Suite
2021
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Live in Edmonton
2021
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Elasticity
2021
EP
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Fuktronic
2020
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Midnight Star (Original Game Soundtrack)
2019
Album
metadata_listed
MusicBrainz
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to Serj Tankian include:
Song Title
Artist / Group
Relationship
Source
[Free Jam]
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
40 Days
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
100 Years
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
1915 Theme End Credits (extended)
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
A Beautiful Revolution
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
A Fine Morning to Die
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
A Higher Frequency
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
A Lesson to the World
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
A Lot Will Change
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
A Seed
Serj Tankian
Performer
MusicBrainz
Musical Style and Instruments
Tankian’s music moves across heavy rock and metal forms while also drawing on experimental, orchestral and operatic ideas. The range of genres associated with him suggests a flexible approach that can shift from aggressive guitar-driven material to more arranged and cinematic work.
Genres
alternative metalnu metalpop musicoperaalternative rockart rockexperimental rockfolkhard rockindustrial rockmetalprogressive rockrock
Instruments
voicekeyboard instrumentguitar
Related Entities
Genres
alternative metal
nu metal
pop music
opera
alternative rock
art rock
experimental rock
folk
hard rock
industrial rock
metal
progressive rock
rock
Instruments
voice
keyboard instrument
guitar
Bands
System of a Down
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Official and profile links are available through Serj Tankian’s website and identifiers connected to MusicBrainz, Discogs and Spotify.
Official Website Artist ID: https://serjtankian.com
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
MusicBrainz Artist ID: e471b63c-c3b5-4f62-a971-cd0b2273838f
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
Discogs Artist ID: 153410
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
Spotify Artist ID: 0BEI7i5sgUuivcfwXLzFmM
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
IMDb Artist ID: nm1413742
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
VIAF Artist ID: 22345165
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
ISNI Artist ID: 000000011488647X
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
GND Artist ID: 135522722
Wikidata
High
Serj Tankian
sameAs
Library of Congress Artist ID: no2002098191
Wikidata
High
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Serj Tankian best known for?
A: He is best known for his work with System of a Down. His solo and collaborative work also spans albums, soundtracks and EPs.
Q: Where was Serj Tankian born?
A: He was born in Lebanon. He is an Armenian-American musician with United States citizenship.
Q: When was Serj Tankian born?
A: He was born on August 21, 1967.
Q: What instruments does Serj Tankian play?
A: His listed instruments are voice, keyboard instrument and guitar.
Q: Which band is Serj Tankian associated with most closely?
A: System of a Down is his primary musical association. He is also linked with several other projects and bands.
Q: What genres are associated with Serj Tankian?
A: His work is associated with alternative metal, nu metal, rock, experimental rock, hard rock, industrial rock, progressive rock, alternative rock, art rock, folk, pop music and opera.
Q: Does Serj Tankian have soundtrack releases?
A: Yes. His catalogue includes soundtrack projects such as 1915: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Truth to Power (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
