National Stadium Park, Santiago
After almost a decade of waiting, System of a Down returned to South America as part of his expected Wake Up! The band, which has Armenian roots, has forged a special connection with the South American public since its first visit in 2011, which was further consolidated with its passage in 2015. This third coming not only reaffirmed that bond, but multiplied it per thousand, delivering one of the most powerful and vibrant experiences that have been seen in a long time.
The day began early with the local power of synergy, who took advantage of every second of their tight time on stage to leave the high rod. Its characteristic “bird metal” sounded fresh and forceful, in a perfect mixture of humor, social critic and infectious riffs that made the public jump from the first chords. With ‘Cambodian Syndrome’ – take from the worst of Chile – opened a set that went straight to the bone and did not take respite. He was followed by ‘aliens’, ‘robust woman’ and ‘do it well’, where Don Rorro’s charism and the band’s solidity unleashed the first collective ovation in the afternoon.
With ‘My lady’, ‘Everyone owes me silver’ and ‘you angry you for everything’, the public was already completely delivered, chanting each line with devotion. The closure with ‘Toy Chato’ and the infallible ‘Chacalín’ showed why synergy remains one of the most beloved acts of Chilean rock: for its authenticity, energy and unwavering connection with its people.
The second act was in charge of the Brazilians Ego Kill Talent, who pleasantly surprised the public with a solid, energy and deeply modern proposal. Now led by Emmily Barreto, a former Vocalist of Far from Alaska, the band showed that it is in a new stage, more powerful and focused. His set started with ‘We Move As One’ and ‘Lifeporn’, who immediately captured the attention of the thousands who continued to enter the enclosure. As they advanced with ‘Call us by her name’, ‘Need no one to dance’ and ‘Never Fading Light’, the instrumental power and the heartbreaking voice of Barreto stole the prominence. They closed with force thanks to songs such as ‘Reflecting Love’, ‘when It Comes’ and ‘Finding Freedom’, to culminate with a download of energy in ‘Just for the Likes’ and ‘last Ride’. Ego Kill Talent made it clear that they are a band in full ascent, with all the tools to conquer even more scenarios in the future.
But everything was a prelude. At 9:00 p.m., the lights went out and a deafening ovation seized the National Stadium Park. The most anticipated moment began: System of a Down took the stage with ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ as Intro, and then unleashed chaos with the brutal ‘x’. Without truce, the band chained ‘Suite-Pee’ and ‘Prison Song’, carrying the public temperature to unsuspected levels from the first minute. The chemistry between Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan felt alive, powerful, and at times explosive.
The emotional and sound journey continued with ‘Aerials’, an eternal anthem that was chanted with tears in the eyes by many attendees. They followed ‘Ieaiai-O’ and ’36’, maintaining the intensity, and then passing through ‘Pictures’ and ‘Highway Song’, less common jewels but received with euphoria. The heartbreaking riff of ‘Needles’ and the growing tension of ‘Deer Dance’ prepared the ground for the emotional and powerful ‘Soldier Side’, which began with its recognizable instrumental intro before leading to a moving interpretation that led many to the edge of tears.
And when it seemed that the climax had arrived, ‘Byob’ exploded with a perfect execution that turned the stadium into a human boiler. The frenzy did not stop with ‘Radio/Video’ or with that little wink to ‘Dreaming’ in the form of instrumental breakdown that gave way to a felt interpretation of ‘Hypnotize’. With ‘Peephole’ and ‘Atwa’, the band lowered the revolutions slightly, only to light everything again with the deranged rhythm of ‘Bunce’ and the intensity of ‘Suggestions’ and ‘Psycho’ – this last preceded by a brief but felt tribute to Rush with the intro of ‘Red sector A’.
The hits tracking was not stopped: ‘Chop Suey!’ It broke out in a collective choir that shook to the foundations of the enclosure, followed by ‘Kill Rock’ N Roll ‘,’ Lost in Hollywood ‘and an emotional’ Lonely Day ‘. The final stretch was a blow after another: ‘Mind’, ‘Spiders’, ‘Forest’ and ‘Dam’ happened with surgical precision, while ‘War?’ and ‘Roulette’ demonstrated the band’s versatility and emotional depth. The final ecstasy came with ‘Toxicity’, at which time the public became a single entity between flares, jumps and unstoppable mosh pits. The perfect closure came with the deranged ‘Sugar’, shouted at every lung as if the night would never end.
System of a Down offered a show without low points, a sonic avalanche that toured all the eras of his career with mastery and passion. Serj was much more participatory than in previous presentations, Don shone with his guitar and his demonized choirs, while Shavo and John formed a devastating rhythmic base. There was no need for giant screens or large games of lights: what mattered was on stage, and that was more than enough to give Chile a night for history.
Matias Arteaga S.
