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System Of A Down - Aerials - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Aerials - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Aerials guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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System Of A Down Alternative Metal Db major
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Aerials

"Aerials" is a heavy metal track by System of a Down, released in 2002 as the third single from their album Toxicity. The song earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2003. For electric guitar players, it offers an interesting study in dynamic contrast, blending clean, atmospheric passages with heavier, distorted riffs characteristic of System of a Down's distinctive style.

  • "Aerials" was the third single released from System of a Down's album Toxicity, which came out in 2001.
  • The song earned System of a Down a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.
  • The track showcases a wide dynamic range, making it a useful exercise for guitarists practicing clean-to-distortion transitions.
Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Daron Malakian's signature guitar for SOAD's classic era, the SG's bright midrange cuts through Drop C tuning without muddiness while its lightweight body delivers the aggressive, cutting tone on Toxicity. The dual humbuckers provide thick saturation for heavy riffs while maintaining clarity for melodic passages.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800 would deliver the tight, focused high-gain crunch that defined early SOAD, though Malakian favored the JCM900 for its superior midrange bite to cut through Serj's vocals and the band's dense arrangements.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Malakian uses this amp to thicken SOAD's low-end on select studio tracks and heavier passages, adding additional bottom-end depth to the Marshall's midrange focus while maintaining the clarity needed for palm-muted riffing in Drop C.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Malakian's sole primary effects pedal, the Cry Baby adds filtered lead textures and specific riff coloration to SOAD's sound while staying minimal, keeping the focus on the guitar, amp gain, and Drop C tuning that defines their signature tone.

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