Author: Michael Pementel
System of a Down singer Serj Tankian used to have a pretty intense video game addiction back in the day.
In a conversation with Loudwire, where Tankian talks about his work on an upcoming heavy metal video game called Metal: Hellsinger, he brings up how, in his early 20s, he was playing too much NBA Jam and his fingers got messed up.
System of a Down singer talks video games
“In my early 20s I was a gamer. I used to have a PlayStation and all that stuff… (I was) playing way too many NBA Jam games and my fingers got really messed up. This is before I started touring with System of a Down. At one point I realized this is getting really addictive… and I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m hurting my hands, and I need my hands to play etc. So I stopped gaming.
“Then, years later, there was a company that (wanted me to do) some music for a video game and I was like ‘Oh, that’s great…’ but then I realized I don’t have a console [laughs]. I was embarrassed. So then they sent me a console and some games. And what do you think happened? I was up until like 10PM, in bed, going crazy, and again getting addicted to it. So, I got rid of it again! So, I’m not doing (video) games now, but I love doing music for them.”
Tankian then goes into his work on the upcoming video game Metal: Hellsinger. The System of a Down singer has lent his vocal talents to a song that is featured in the game.
“(That’s one thing that’s) different about this game,” says Tankian. “You gotta really be a part of the song and the rhythm to gain the points. (And the song I cut the vocals for…) It’s really incredible, really fast, really heavy, very interesting, very progressive. And that’s why I decided to join and be a part of this. I loved the song. It’s 7 minutes, and it takes you on this crazy journey. It’s very fast and very rhythmical so your fingers… you will probably lose some ligaments.”
You can find the video featuring the System of a Down singer talking about video games below. Are you excited for Metal: Hellsinger?
If you are a metalhead looking for some video games to check out, the guitarist from Undeath recently named some of the best video games for metalheads to play.
System of a Down Singer Serj Tankian Featured In Heavy Metal Video Game