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System of a Down kicked off their limited run of 2025 North American stadium shows on Wednesday night (August 27th) with the first of two gigs at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Each city on the trek features a different co-headliner: Korn in New Jersey last night and tonight (August 28th); Avenged Sevenfold at Chicago’s Soldier Field on August 31st and September 1st; and Deftones at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium on September 3rd and 5th. All shows include opening sets from Polyphia and Wisp.
Wisp, the project of Natalie R. Lu, opened the evening in Jersey with her band, delivering a shoegaze-tinged alternative rock sound reminiscent of Whirr, Deftones, and My Bloody Valentine. Tracks like “Your Face” provided the perfect soundtrack as fans streamed into MetLife Stadium, ready to kick off their night.
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Texas instrumental progressive rockers Polyphia kept the energy high with songs like the shreddy “Goose” and the jazzy “Playing God.” Their signature blend of rock, electronic rhythms, and groovy beats captivated the swelling stadium crowd, who watched intently as the band delivered intricate fretwork and dynamic drumming.
Energies hit full throttle as Korn took the stage, quickly sending the crowd into a frenzy. The fast-paced cymbal work on “Blind” propelled fans into a wild response, with singer Jonathan Davis commanding the stage and belting out the intense “Are you ready?” Bodies surged over the barricade, keeping venue security on their toes, as the band tore through the funky, fast-paced “Twist” before pounding the crowd again with the heavy-hitting “Here to Stay.”
Under a barrage of laser lights, Korn tore through a string of fan-favorite tracks, delivering hits like “Got the Life,” “Coming Undone,” “A.D.I.D.A.S.,” “Falling Away From Me,” and “Shoots and Ladders” (including the Metallica “One” outro). Davis took a moment to thank the crowd for their support over the band’s 30-plus-year career. The set closed with the iconic “Freak on a Leash,” capping off an intense and unforgettable performance.
With the stadium at full capacity and fans passing the time with the wave, System of a Down finally took the stage for their first show in the New York City Tri-State Area since 2012. It had been a long wait, and the crowd was ready to let loose. Massive cheers erupted as guitarist-vocalist Daron Malakian kicked things off with the haunting “Soldier Side – Intro,” building anticipation before lead singer Serj Tankian joined in. The band then launched straight into the explosive “B.Y.O.B.,” sending the stadium into an uproar.
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