SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian's March 16, 2009 performance in Auckland, New Zealand, at the Auckland Town Hall with the city's philharmonic orchestra (Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra) was filmed and recorded for a live CD/DVD release, due in the fall. Tankian says, "It was a very special night for me and am very excited to share this with you."

A sneak peek at the event can be viewed below.

Tankian played songs from his 2007 debut solo album, "Elect The Dead", as well as "some unreleased extras."

A two-minute video report from David Farrier of New Zealand's TV3 featuring footage from the rehearsal sessions can be viewed below.

A review of the concert is available at Stuff.co.nz.

Tankian told The Pulse of Radio not long ago that he has wanted to work with an orchestra for some time, and has even considered doing so on his next solo effort. "What I was planning on doing is doing more of a jazz-orchestral second solo record, but I'm not exactly one hundred percent sure because until the songs come and you kind of look at the whole picture, you don't really know what you're gonna end up with," he said. "I've been really interested in working with an orchestra, 'cause I've been doing more scoring-type of, composing-type of things. I actually wasn't intending to make a rock record with 'Elect The Dead' originally. It just kind of ended up that way."

Respected New Zealand composer John Psathas worked with Tankian on the orchestral arrangements.

The singer lives part time in New Zealand and owns a house there.

Tankian issued "Elect The Dead" in late 2007 and toured extensively behind the disc with his backup band, THE FCC. He has also been working on songs for a new musical from the creator of the Broadway hit "Spring Awakening".

SYSTEM OF A DOWN went on indefinite hiatus in the fall of 2006 and there are no plans as yet for the group to begin working together again.





(Thanks: ZShaw the Metal Clarkie)