System of a Down had previously announced the tour last month, noting that it was designed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in Turkey.

"We said we should celebrate the fact that we're here on stage, on the radio telling you about [the genocide]," bassist Shavo Odadjian explained to KROQ. "We got to that level. Let's not mourn 100 years what has already happened. By educating, you raise awareness. By raising awareness, you grow peoples' minds."

"The way we do it, we have our show, and the people that want to take information away from that, and the people who want to just come and enjoy the show also have that freedom," drummer John Dolmayan added.