The Gibson Band has officially been launched by way of “Deconstruction,” a doomy new song that features Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi, System of a Down’s Serj Tankian and Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian.
“Deconstruction” is a burly, lumbering track with lyrics written by Tankian, whose natural nasal-toned voice is nicely suited for Iommi’s tectonic riffage. It’s also the first time the two have collaborated on a song together since the System of a Down frontman guested on “Patterns” off the guitarists’s self-titled 2000 solo album.
Read the lyrics and listen to the song further down the page.
There is a charitable initiative behind the Gibson Band, as well. All proceeds from the song and funds raised from the auction of an original painting by Tankian will be donated to Armenia Fund’s Artsakh Refugee Initiative.
“Tankian, Gueikian, and the Eurnekian family are all of Armenian descent, and the Armenia Fund provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Armenia and global Armenian communities through the development of vital infrastructure projects, educational, cultural, healthcare, and disaster relief programs, as well as direct assistance to families and individuals,” a press release reads.
“It’s a dream come true to have collaborated with my good friend, Cesar Gueikian, and Tony Iommi, who I have collaborated with before,” says Tankian. “I am happy that we are using our platform to donate the music, my art, and Gibson’s incredibly unique guitar for such a great charity. Music with the right intentions can inspire and also create positive change.”
Iommi adds, “It was great to hook up with Serj again and also to do a track with Cesar (I think that he’s trying to steal my job!! ) ha-ha!! The Armenian people are really lovely people, and it’s a great pleasure, a great cause, and I’m very happy to be involved in it.”
A 2023 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar which has been customized with the singer’s artwork is up for auction too.
See photos of the painting and the guitar beneath the video player for “Deconstruction,” where you’ll also find details on how to bid on the auction items.
Gibson Band, “Deconstruction” Lyrics
via AZ Lyrics
Feeling like I’m always going underWaiting for you to bring back your thunderLife’s elements seem to go as underFeeling like I’m always going under
A flower’s mother, a soldier’s father, the farmer’s wifeThe start and end of life
The sword can’t cut it, man can’t kill itMillions pounding on your faceWe can’t see or touch you, God
If today I dieAnd cannot denyThe life that I lived for what I say will befit myself in timeThe deconstruction of the human mindSplitting up the world into times
A flower’s mother, a soldier’s father, the farmer’s wifeThe start and end of life
The sword can’t cut it, man can’t kill itMillions pounding on your faceWe can’t see or touch you, God
Why am I so cold?Why am I so frail?Why am I so cold?Why am I so frail?Why am I so frail?
The deconstruction of the human mindSplitting up the world into times
If today I dieAnd cannot denyThe life that I lived for what I say will befit myself in timeNo time to die nor liveNo structures of a pyramidNo trained horses to ariseSurmise my positionMy words define
Deconstruction of the human mindA shifting of polarities to findWaking dreams embellishing my rhymesSplitting up the world into times
If today I dieAnd cannot denyThe life that I lived for what I say now befit myself in timeNo time to die nor liveNo structures of a pyramidNo trained horses to ariseSurmise my positionMy words define
Gibson Band, “Deconstruction” (ft. Tony Iommi + Serj Tankian)
Serj Tankian, “Our Mountains” Original Painting
Serj Tankian
“’Our Mountains’ harks back to the twin peaks of Mount Ararat, a symbol of the Armenian nation and the location for the rebirth of Noah’s civilization,” Tankian offers.
Description:
Acrylic on canvas original artwork titled “Our Mountains,” by System of a Down founding member Serj Tankian. An accomplished artist as well as a musician, Tankian created this work to be sold in conjunction with the release of “Deconstruction,” the first single from the Gibson Band. “Our Mountains,” was used as the cover artwork for the single’s release. The painting is accompanied by a unique musical score that is unlocked via smartphone or tablet using optical recognition software via the Arloopa app.
Bid here.
2023 Gibson Les Paul Standard Guitar, Customized With Serj Tankian’s “Our Mountains” Art
Gibson
Description:
The 2023 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar serial #232030094 was custom built by the luthiers and craftspeople of Gibson USA using a proprietary, pure lacquer, technique that perfectly recreates the center portion of the original painting “Our Mountains,” painted by Serj Tankian of System of a Down. The guitar comes with a Black USA Modern hardshell case.
Bid here.
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Note: songs that were played as part of a medley and cover songs were not considered for this list. Only full performances of individual songs were taken into account.
Gallery Credit: Joe DiVita
