SYSTEM OF A DOWN guitarist Daron Malakian has reportedly collaborated with WU-TANG CLAN's The RZA on material for WU-TANG's upcoming album, tentatively due in early 2006. Also contributing to the effort is RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist John Frusciante.

As previously reported, SYSTEM OF A DOWN are said to be eyeing November 15 as the release date for "Hypnotize", the companion album to the band's first album of 2005, "Mezmerize". Both discs were recorded at the same time, and guitarist Daron Malakian told Launch that he doesn't think they're all that different. "I'm so inside of it that maybe that's a little tough for me to tell, but I don't see too big of a difference," he said. "I see them both as one record, you know? Not to compare us to, like, THE BEATLES, but the only thing I can compare it to is, like, you listen to the 'White Album' and it's a double album, but, like, they're just a bunch of great songs."

The release date for "Hypnotize" has not been officially confirmed yet. "Mezmerize" was released on May 17 and has sold 1.36 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Daron Malakian recently told MTV.com that "Hypnotize" will feature SYSTEM OF A DOWN's first instrumental, called "Hezze". Malakian said, "I just think it's cool to have an instrumental. Not enough people put instrumentals on their albums anymore." The track is influenced by Middle Eastern music, but also features rock and disco elements.

Malakian also said that the band's next single would probably be the title track from "Hypnotize".

Meanwhile, SYSTEM singer Serj Tankian recently remixed a track by late rapper NOTORIOUS B.I.G., called "Who Shot Ya", for an upcoming and unspecified video game.