How does a musical visionary continue to evolve after decades in the industry? For Serj Tankian, the answer lies in his forthcoming album “Covers, Collaborations & Collages,” set for release on October 24, 2025, through Serjical Strike Records and Create Music Group. The System of a Down frontman’s latest solo venture represents a significant departure, as he reimagines archival recordings through fresh collaborations and introduces his first-ever cover songs.
The album will employ an innovative release strategy, with ten tracks dropping weekly beginning in early August 2025. “Electric Dreams,” the first single, will kick off this carefully orchestrated rollout, featuring Tankian’s distinctive vocals set against cosmic piano arrangements and vocal effects. Each track will showcase unique artwork by D.S. Bradford, who doubles as a musical contributor, playing guitar on “Kneeling Away From The Sun.”
Notable collaborations populate the project, including electronic producer Deadmau5, who brings his signature production style to “A Seed.” New Zealand singer-songwriter Bic Runga joins Tankian for the ethereal duet “Things Unspoken,” while composer Lucas Vidal provides cinematic elements to “Apocalyptic Dance,” a track thematically centered on societal collapse. This collaborative approach represents one of several income streams musicians increasingly rely on to thrive in today’s evolving industry landscape.
The album marks Tankian’s first foray into cover songs, with renditions of Chris de Burgh’s “I’m Counting On You” and Armenian songwriter Ruben Hakhverdyan’s “When Death Arrives.” These interpretations showcase Tankian’s ability to transform existing works through his unique artistic lens. The Lebanese-born artist has drawn from his rich cultural background, having moved to Los Angeles at age seven during the Lebanese Civil War.
Spanning alternative rock, art rock, folk rock, and hard rock, the compilation creates a deeply personal tapestry of sound that emphasizes artistic reinvention and unity. The project serves as a companion piece to Tankian’s previous archival works while pushing new boundaries through its collaborative spirit. Throughout the release schedule, Tankian will share weekly insights into the creative process behind each track, inviting listeners to engage more deeply with the artistic intentions. He plans to maximize the album’s reach through targeted social media advertising campaigns that will connect his music with both existing fans and potential new listeners.
Visual elements remain central to the album’s concept, with Travis Shinn’s original photography serving as the foundation for Bradford’s artwork, which visually reinforces the themes of collage and reinvention that define this eclectic body of work.
