Beyond the bass: how Shavo Odadjian shaped the visual identity of alternative metal
In short: Known as the bassist for System of a Down, Shavo Odadjian is a polymath whose influence extends far beyond the stage. From directing surrealist music videos to scoring Hollywood blockbusters and curating abstract art for massive festival stages, he treats music as a holistic, genre-defying experience rather than just a sound.
Born in Yerevan in 1974, Shavo Odadjian moved to Los Angeles at age five. His early life was defined by a deep immersion in punk and metal, crediting bands like Slayer and the Dead Kennedys as foundational influences. Before becoming the permanent bassist for System of a Down in 1995, Odadjian worked in a bank and managed the band, famously securing their first local gig at the Roxy through sheer persistence. His role in the band evolved into a creative directorship; he is responsible for the group's stage design, lighting, and the direction of many of their iconic music videos.
Odadjian’s creative output is marked by a refusal to be categorized. In 2006, he launched the project AcHoZeN with RZA, blending hip-hop and live instrumentation like the sitar to create what he termed 'heavy hip hop.' This collaborative spirit continued with his 2019 formation of North Kingsley and his 2024 debut of the band Seven Hours After Violet. His work often bridges disparate worlds, such as scoring the 2008 film Babylon A.D. alongside Hans Zimmer or collaborating with funk legend George Clinton.
A self-described 'very visual person,' Odadjian integrates his painting and directing into his musical performances. During the 2006 Ozzfest, he replaced traditional metal imagery of skulls and gore with a 27-piece abstract mosaic of his own paintings, designed to match the emotional resonance of each song. His directing style, inspired by Rod Serling, utilizes atmospheric, surreal themes, seen in videos for System of a Down and the 2015 Mortal Kombat X trailer. Whether through his music, his art, or his upcoming role in Dexter: Resurrection, Odadjian remains a figure who views his career as a continuous, evolving way of thinking.
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