Harakiri [PA]

Personnel: Dan Monti (guitar); Troy Zeigler (drums). Audio Mixers: Serj Tankian; Dan Monti. Recording information: East West Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Serjical Strike Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Wooly Mammoth Sound, Waltham, MA. Photographer: Robert Sebree. During his solo career, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian has managed to grow his sound in an increasingly grand direction, stepping away from the ultra-compact prog metal of the group to work with orchestras on songs that were altogether more sprawling. Harakiri, the third album from the frenetic singer, finds Tankian moving back toward a fast-paced rock sound, rediscovering the socially conscious, rapid-fire sound of the earlier part of his career. Based on the lead single, "Figure It Out," the album should go a long way toward satisfying the appetites of SOAD fans who are still holding out hope for new material from the alt-metal maniacs.

• Genre: Rock and Pop
• Format: CD
• Released: 07/10/2012