System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian hits back at Imagine Dragons’ Azerbaijan gig defence: “Respectfully, I draw the line at ethnic cleansing and genocide”

nme.com:

System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian has once again hit back at Imagine Dragons for their controversial gig in Azerbaijan.Last month, Tankian made headlines when he criticised Imagine Dragons for their decision to go ahead with their controversial gigs in Israel and Azerbaijan, stating that he has “zero respect for those guys”.The dispute came over a show that Dan Reynolds and co played in Azerbeijan’s capital city, Baku, which some argued could be perceived as being an endorsement of the country’s authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev.Tankian had sent the group a letter last summer urging them to pull out of the Baku Olympic Stadium show.

In the letter, he stated that proceeding with the gig “would help whitewash the dictatorial regime’s image”.The likes of Brian Eno, Thurston Moore and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters also took the time to share an open letter last August asking Imagine Dragons to back out from the gigs. “Performing in Baku under these circumstances, regardless of intent, can only help the government of Azerbaijan cover up its crimes,” a section of it read.Earlier this week, Reynolds opened up about the band’s decision to proceed with the gigs, telling Rolling Stone: “I don’t believe in depriving our fans who want to see us play because of the acts of their leaders and their governments.

I think that’s a really slippery slope. I think the second you start to do that, there’s corrupt leaders and warmongers all over the world, and where do you draw the line?”He also addressed Tankian’s comments, sharing: “I think I just said it.

It’s a slippery slope, and I’m never going to deprive our fans of playing for them.”Last night (July 4) the ‘Chop Suey!’ singer took to his official social media accounts to hit back.