System Of A Down’s Daron Malakian Clarifies Meaning Behind ‘Toxicity’ Hidden Track “Arto”

More than two decades after the release of System Of A Down’s landmark Toxicity, guitarist/vocalist Daron Malakian has addressed a long-running misconception surrounding the album’s closing hidden track commonly known as “Arto.”

Released in 2001, Toxicity remains one of the most influential heavy albums of its era, helping define the early-2000s alternative metal boom. While fans have long referred to the hidden song as “Arto”—largely because it features guest musician Arto Tunçboyaciyan—Malakian says that title does not reflect the piece’s true identity.

Marking Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24th, Malakian shared a statement explaining the song’s deeper cultural and spiritual roots.

“There is a hidden track at the end of the Toxicity album that fans call ‘Arto.’ However, the composition is actually a spiritual Armenian hymn called ‘Der Voghormia’ (‘Lord Have Mercy’).”

He went on to explain the hymn’s connection to remembrance ceremonies tied to the Armenian Genocide.

“The piece is often used to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.”

Malakian also noted that when System Of A Down performs the song live, it carries a deeply personal meaning for the band.

“When we, as System Of A Down, perform the song live, we do it to remember the 1.5 million souls who lost their lives in 1915.”

The clarification highlights the cultural significance behind one of the most mysterious moments on Toxicity, a record whose impact continues to resonate 25 years later.

System Of A Down are set to play their first show of 2026 tonight, headlining Sick New World in Las Vegas, NV, before launching a run of international stadium dates later this year.

With IDLES

• 05/27 Mexico City, MEX – Estadio GNP Seguros
• 05/28 Mexico City, MEX – Estadio GNP Seguros

With Queens Of The Stone Age & Acid Bath

• 06/29 Stockholm, SWE – Strawberry Arena
• 07/02 Paris, FRA – Stade de France
• 07/04 Paris, FRA – Stade de France
• 07/06 Milan, ITA – Ippodromo Snai la Maura
• 07/08 Berlin, GER – Olympiastadion
• 07/10 Dusseldorf, GER – Open Air Park Dusseldorf
• 07/13 London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• 07/15 London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• 07/18 Warsaw, POL – PGE Narodowy
• 07/19 Warsaw, POL – PGE Narodowy

System Of A Down

• 10/24 Fort Worth, TX – Sick New World

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