A Wake Up From System Of A Down

System Of A Down is raising awareness about the Armenian Genocide with a tour commemorating the 100th anniversary of the “Great Crime.” The tour will be making stops through Europe including the band’s first performance in Armenia.

The “Wake Up The Souls” Tour begins April 10 in London and concludes with a free show in Yerevan, Armenia, at Republic Square on April 23, the day before the commemoration of the 100th anniversary. More details will be revealed about this special performance.

Photo: AP Photo
Rock In Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

“By demanding a truthful and just resolution of the Armenian Genocide we are saying Never Again to all genocides,” System Of A Down writes. “Never again will we stand by while people are murdered for belonging to a select race, ethnic, or religious group as they were in Turkey, Nazi Europe, Cambodia, East Timor, Rwanda, or Darfur.

“There are already brave souls within Turkey, who – at risk of prosecution, persecution, and even violence – are openly calling for recognition and reparations for the Armenian Genocide.  Many other Turkish citizens share these humanitarian values, but have not yet spoken out – intimidated by a government that has, for too long, obstructed the peace that only truth and justice can bring. It’s time to break this silence.

“As we mark this solemn centennial, please join us and the good people of conscience in Turkey to take a stand for truth and justice, and ask their President and Parliament to accept the Republic of Turkey’s moral and material responsibility for the Armenian Genocide.”

Here is the schedule for the tour:

April 10 – London, United Kingdom, The SSE Arena, Wembley   
April 13 – Cologne, Germany, Lanxess Arena         
April 14 – Lyon, France, Halle Tony Garnier            
April 16 – Brussels, Belgium, Forest National          
April 17 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ziggo Dome   
April 20 – Moscow, Russia, Olympic Stadium        
April 23 – Yerevan, Armenia, Republic Square

Tickets for the Moscow show are available now. Tickets for Brussels go on sale Thursday, Nov. 27. The rest of the dates go on sale Friday, Nov. 28, with the exception of Amsterdam’s onsale, which is scheduled Saturday, Nov. 29.

For more information about the tour and to read the band’s full statement about the Armenian Genocide visit SystemOfADown.com.