System of a Down Frontman Tries ‘Banana Terracotta Pie’

Fans of the band System of a Down may recognize the seemingly absurd lyric “banana terracotta pie” from the song “Vicinity of Obscenity.” Recently, the band’s frontman, Serj Tankian, had the opportunity to taste a dessert that gave life to his lyrical creation during an episode of the web series, Last Meals hosted by Josh Scherer.

The dessert was introduced unexpectedly at the end of the second course. Upon seeing the pie, Tankian expressed confusion until Scherer pointed out the terracotta nature of the dessert’s presentation. “It’s a banana terracotta pie with Nilla wafers!” Tankian remarked enthusiastically, adding that he had never tried such a dish before.

In a reflective discussion about the lyric, Tankian mentioned, “I like creating relationships between things that don’t have a pre-existing one.” He recounted how the lyric took shape, even recalling producer Rick Rubin‘s initial skepticism towards it during rehearsals, only for it to become a favorite over time.

Tankian noted how the lighthearted elements in their music often serve to make their more serious messages more digestible to listeners. “If you just preach, no one’s gonna listen,” he suggested, referencing the balance of tones in another System of a Down song, “Prison Song.”

In broader news regarding System of a Down, Tankian has recently speculated about the possibility of the band uniting for a new album, describing it as a potential “fresh start in a brand new way.” The band, known for their 2005 albums Hypnotize and Mezmerize, has not released a full-length studio album since.

In a recent interview, Tankian indicated that there are unreleased tracks from past sessions, suggesting that these might see the light of day in an archival form, emphasizing their potential as musical “gems.”

The prospect of new music, however, has been complicated by creative differences within the band, leading to prior efforts being redirected to Tankian’s solo EP, Elasticity. Despite these challenges, Tankian has kept an open mind about continuing with the band, even suggesting they could move forward with a new lead singer.

Drummer John Dolmayan and Tankian have both publicly discussed the band’s status. Dolmayan, voicing frustration over the hiatus, has indicated a desire for new music, stating his “door is always open,” while lamenting that “it’s a shame” the group has not produced more.