Serj Tankian and Brendan Angelides have released a cover of David Bowie’s song “I’m Afraid of Americans” [1, 2, 3].
The collaboration brings together two distinct musical worlds — the heavy metal influence of System of a Down and the electronic compositions of Angelides — to reinterpret a classic Bowie track.
Tankian, known for his work as the vocalist for System of a Down, partnered with Angelides, who is an electronic musician and game composer [1, 2]. The resulting track is described as a poignant and paranoid cover of the original piece [2].
Spencer Kaufman of Consequence of Sound said the tune comes from Angelides’ next solo album [1]. The track specifically appears on the upcoming album titled *Can You Feel the End Begin?* [1].
This release marks a high-profile collaboration for Angelides, integrating Tankian's signature vocal style into a project that blends electronic, and cinematic elements [1, 2, 3]. While the specific motivations for the collaboration were not detailed in the announcement, the pairing highlights a cross-genre approach to the Bowie catalog [1, 2].
The song is now available for streaming as part of the promotional cycle for the new record [1].
“Serj Tankian has teamed up with electronic musician and game composer Brendan Angelides to deliver a poignant, paranoid cover”
This collaboration signals a trend of modern composers utilizing established rock icons to bridge the gap between avant-garde electronic music and mainstream alternative rock. By choosing a track like 'I'm Afraid of Americans,' the artists align themselves with Bowie's legacy of social commentary and sonic experimentation.
