Album review: Daron Malakian And Scars On Broadway – Addicted To The Violence

It’ll come as little surprise to learn that there’s a song on Scars On Broadway’s third album entitled Satan Hussein. Or that it’s made up of a hyperactively chugging riff with lyrics that frantically list religious denominations, drugs – prescription and otherwise – and a variety of unspeakable acts. It’s what you expect from the mind of Daron Malakian. More importantly, it’s what you want. But there’s so much more on offer.

While System Of A Down fans appear to have made their peace with the fact a new record isn’t happening anytime ever, there’s the opportunity to enjoy the many fascinating projects made by its constituent members, unimpeded by the long-time misconception they come at the expense of a new SOAD opus. On Addicted To The Violence, Daron welcomes us back to the place he operates, where sleaze and satire intersect, furnished with barely contained anger and, in Done Me Wrong and You Destroy You, hooks for days.

Addicted To The Violence may apply to the state of the world Daron is writing about on Killing Spree (‘It’s such a pity that you didn’t brace for the attack’), Imposter (‘Oh what a disaster cause now I gotta find, now I gotta kill the motherfucker’) and the closing title-track (‘All the damaged people marching to oblivion’), it could just as easily describe his frantic wellspring of creativity.

It makes for a wild ride that never stays in one place for very long, so even its lesser moments don’t overstay their welcome before Hurricane Daron picks you up and whisks you somewhere more engaging. If you’re after a record brimming with mania, mood and melody, then choose violence.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: System Of A Down, Seven Hours After Violet, Jinjer

Addicted To The Violence is released on July 18 via Scarred For Life