Tankian: I have faith for humanity but not for civilization

System Of A Down singer Serj Tankian says in a new interview with Australia's Time Off magazine that one of the themes of his debut solo album, Elect The Dead, is the end of civilization. But Tankian told us that the end of civilization doesn't mean the end of humanity: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "I have hope for humanity but not for civilization, and a lot of people equate the two, and they don't realize that humanity's been on this planet, humans have been on this planet for millions of years, and civilization's been around for 10,000 years, which is but a blink of the eye as you well know. I really believe that, based on our current progression, that scientifically civilization is unsustainable in its current progress."

Tankian expanded on these thoughts to Time Off, saying, "Humanity has lived before civilization and will live after, so it's all about redefining our role in life to nature, to each other, to transportation, to communication...and it's a hard pill to swallow, definitely."

As for detractors who slam Tankian for his criticisms of the U.S. government and its policies, the singer responded, "I live in and love America, but if the policies are wrong, and the administration is taking us for a ride and creating war unnecessarily and unjustly, then I'm gonna...say it."

Elect The Dead landed at Number Four on the Billboard album chart two weeks ago, selling 69,000 copies in its first week of release.

Tankian is currently on tour in the U.K. with Foo Fighters.
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