System of a Down Guitarist Mourns Charles Manson's Death

Most people who tweeted #RIPCharlesManson Monday morning offered tribute to the notorious serial killer who had hoped to start race riots by mistake, thinking it was in fact singer Marilyn Manson who died.

But System of a Down guitarist Daron Malakian made no mistake that he truly does grieve for Charles Manson.

Malakian called Manson "a big influence" on him "as an artist" in a lengthy Facebook post, accompanied by a photo of himself wearing a Charles Manson shirt, standing in front of a painting by Malakian's father that was also inspired by Manson.

Here's Malakian's initial statement:

Very sad to hear the news about Charles Manson’s death. During the time I was writing the Toxicity album, Manson’s interviews and music were a big influence on me as an artist. I titled the song #ATWA after Manson’s environmental organization. My interest was in the way he articulated his thoughts and his views on society, not in the murders. The painting in this photo is one I asked my dad to paint with the Charles Manson theme, which I later used as the art for the #ScarsOnBroadwaysong ‘Fucking’ that was released through limited vinyl. #charlesmanson#mansonfamily

Being inspired by a serial killer is something a lot of artists can say. But not many of them would also say they were "very sad" to hear of said serial killer's death.

And if we wanted to discount Malakian's statement as just being contrarian, he made that a whole lot more difficult with a follow-up he left in the comments below the photo:

If all you know about Manson is what you’ve be sold by the media , I don’t blame you for you negative comments. But the other side of Manson was that he was a song writer who’s song “Look at your Game” was covered by Guns n Roses. Manson also had very valid view points on the society and the environment that even some of you people who are calling me disgusting couldn’t argue with if you took the time to look into his interviews. I would say you would be the disgusting ones if you disagree with him on some of these topics. If Manson was just some idiot who killed people he wouldn’t inspire me in any way. I don’t back murders or murderers in any way shape or form!!!!!Manson was a Genius who could articulate his thoughts in very clever ways. That was the Manson who affected me as an artist. For all of you who say your happy he is dead and he should burn in your imaginary Hell, Your the ones who should be ashamed of yourselves. You seam to be just as bad with your thoughts as the murderers you same that you hate so much!!!

There isn't really much to say on this except that there are a lot of geniuses in the world who gave interviews, articulated their points, had valid views on society and the environment and are also guilty of zero murders and never carved swastikas into their foreheads.

Go here for more about Manson's murders and his plot to start a race war. 

Photo: Facebook / Daron Malakian


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