In a surprising revelation, David Hakopyan — the original bassist for Soil, the pre-System of a Down band featuring Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian — has opened up about why he was let go from the group. The reason? He simply wasn’t “angry enough” for the intense sound and vibe the band was chasing.
Hakopyan shared the story candidly: “I was asked to leave. I remember them telling me, ‘You aren’t angry enough, you don’t play angry.’ I was like, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not that angry a person.’”
His departure from Soil proved to be one of the most pivotal moments in the formation of System of a Down. After Hakopyan’s exit, he personally recommended Shavo Odadjian — who was managing the band at the time — as his replacement. “I called Shavo and said, ‘I think you could step in as bass player – you’re incredibly excited about the project as well as just managing it.’ He thought it was a cool idea.”
That move completed the classic SOAD lineup that would go on to achieve massive success with albums like Toxicity and Mezmerize. Hakopyan looks back on the decision with grace and no bitterness, noting how the chemistry simply clicked better with Shavo’s energy.
The Early Days of Soil and System of a Down
Soil was formed in the early-to-mid 1990s in Los Angeles, featuring Tankian on vocals, Malakian on guitar, Hakopyan on bass, and Domingo Laranio on drums. It served as the direct precursor to System of a Down. Hakopyan’s exit allowed Shavo to transition from manager to bassist, creating the iconic four-piece that defined nu-metal and alternative metal in the late ’90s and 2000s.
This story highlights how personality and energy fit can sometimes matter more than pure technical skill when building a band’s signature sound. Hakopyan’s honesty adds a fascinating behind-the-scenes layer to SOAD’s legendary origin tale.
