The band 's first official release of a professionally recorded song was on a collection called '' Hye Enk '' ( " we 're Armenian " in English ) , an Armenian Genocide recognition compilation , in 1997 . Soon after playing at notable Hollywood clubs such as the Whisky-A-Go-Go and Viper Room the band caught famed producer Rick Rubin 's attention who asked them to keep in touch with him . Showing great interest , the group recorded '' Demo Tape 4 '' near the end of 1997 . Unlike the previous demo tapes , however , '' Demo Tape 4 '' was made only to be sent to record companies ( although it has since been leaked onto the internet ) . Rubin signed the group onto his American/Columbia Records , and System of a Down began to record in Rubin 's studio with engineer Sylvia Massy , laying down tracks that would eventually be released on their debut album
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
System of a Down