Maps of Music

Elect the Dead Symphony (2010)

Where the lyrics of Elect the Dead Symphony take you, and where it was really made.

The orchestral version of 'The Charade' got its final title during this album's tour, yet the song was not on Tankian's original Elect the Dead record that the album reimagines.

Key places

Live performance at Auckland Town Hall (2010)

Live show Auckland Town Hall — The album was performed live at Auckland Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand, with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Dan Monti. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Elect the Dead Symphony: first live album by Serj Tankian, frontman of System of a Down
• Performed with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra; Dan Monti on acoustic guitar and backing vocals
• Recorded at Auckland Town Hall, Auckland, New Zealand
• Orchestral arrangements by John Psathas
• Songs drawn from Tankian's solo debut Elect the Dead, plus some previously unreleased songs
• Available as CD, CD/DVD, LP, and digital download

Background

• Tankian began performing as a solo artist in 2007, after System of a Down went on hiatus, backed by the Flying Cunts of Chaos
• The album was intended as a reimagining of songs from Elect the Dead
• Neither 'The Charade' nor 'Gate 21' was featured on the original album
• 'Gate 21' later saw a studio release on Tankian's next album

Recording

• Live sound recorded by Richard Baker
• Mixed by Tom Holkenborg; mastered by Scott Levitin; edited by Vincent Pedulla
• Concertmaster: Miranda Adams
• Release notes list a 70-piece orchestra

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born August 21, 1967 in Beirut, Lebanon, to Armenian parents.
• Moved to Los Angeles at age 7 during the Lebanese Civil War.
• Known as lead vocalist and primary lyricist of System of a Down, formed in 1994.

Career

• Five albums with System of a Down; five solo albums including Elect the Dead (2007), Imperfect Harmonies (2010), Harakiri (2012), Orca Symphony No. 1 (2013), and Elasticity (2021).
• Co-founded the activist organization Axis of Justice with Tom Morello in 2002.
• Composed music for film and television, including I Am Not Alone (2019) and Netflix's Down to Earth with Zac Efron.
• Published the memoir Down With the System in 2024.

Recognition

• Ranked No. 26 on Hit Parader's "Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists" (2006).
• Awarded the Armenian Prime Minister's Medal in 2011.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Released 23 February 2010 on iTunes
• Released 9 March 2010 in all other formats
• Single 'The Charade' (previously known as 'Charades') released alongside the album
• Orchestral version of 'The Charade' on the album's CD; included as a B-side on some single versions
• Rock version of 'The Charade' found only in the album's DVD closing credits
• DVD includes a video of Tankian performing the orchestral 'The Charade'
• Copyright: 2010 Serj Tankian, licensed exclusively to Reprise Records
• Packaging: clear tray jewel case with a 12-page booklet

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The song 'Charades' made its live debut in 2004 on the Axis of Justice tour, performed as a piano piece with vocals; it later appeared on Axis of Justice: Concert Series Volume 1 under the title 'Charades'
• System of a Down considered the song for its Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album; footage on the DualDisc version of Hypnotize shows the band recording it, but it did not make the final release
• The orchestral arrangement debuted during the Elect the Dead Symphony tour under its new title 'The Charade'
• A video of the orchestral 'Empty Walls' was uploaded to Serj's YouTube account after appearing on the DVD
• The rock version of 'The Charade' appears only in the DVD closing credits

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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