Shavo Odadjian hasn't been sitting still. While everyone keeps asking about a new System of a Down album—a question that has basically become a meme at this point—Shavo quietly went out and built something entirely different. He didn't just find some session musicians. He hand-picked a crew that honestly sounds like a fever dream for anyone who grew up on a diet of 2000s nu-metal and modern metalcore. The members of Seven Hours After Violet aren't just names on a press release; they are a weirdly perfect collision of old-school heavy energy and new-school technical polish.
It’s heavy. Like, surprisingly heavy.
If you’ve heard the singles like "Paradise" or "Radiance," you already know this isn't a System clone. It’s got that signature Shavo bounce, sure, but the collective DNA of these five guys pushes the sound into territory that feels way more aggressive than what most people expected from a "side project." Let’s get into who these guys actually are and why this specific lineup works when so many supergroups usually fall flat on their faces.
The Architect: Shavo Odadjian
Everything starts with Shavo. He’s the heart of the members of Seven Hours After Violet, and he’s not just playing bass—he’s the creative engine. After years of the System of a Down hiatus (well, the recording hiatus anyway), Shavo felt that itch again. He’s gone on record saying that this project grew out of a desire to create something heavy without the baggage of expectations.
He isn't just sticking to the four-string here. He’s acting as a songwriter and curator. It’s kinda fascinating to see him step into this role because, in System, he was always the visual stylist and the rhythmic backbone, but here, he's the one steering the ship. He’s bringing that 1990s Los Angeles energy—that raw, unpolished grit—and mixing it with modern production. You can hear his influence in the way the riffs groove. It’s never just about speed; it’s about that "pocket" that makes you want to move your head.
The Voice: Taylor Barber
This was the wildcard. If you follow the deathcore scene at all, you know Taylor Barber from Left to Suffer. He is a beast. Period. When it was announced he was one of the members of Seven Hours After Violet, a few people scratched their heads. How does a guy who specializes in gutterals and bone-snapping breakdowns fit with Shavo’s style?
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The answer is: surprisingly well.
Barber is doing things on this record that he doesn’t always get to do in his main band. He’s singing. Like, actually singing. He has this grit to his melodic vocals that reminds me of the early 2000s alt-metal era, but then he can flip a switch and drop a low-end growl that sounds like a tectonic plate shifting. It’s that duality that makes the band's sound work. Without Taylor, this might have just been a nostalgic throwback. With him, it feels like it belongs in 2024 and 2025.
The Production Powerhouse: Morgoth Beatz
You can’t talk about this band without talking about Morgoth Beatz (North Woods). He’s the guitarist, but he’s also the producer. This is the guy who has worked with everyone from Juice WRLD to Polyphia. He’s the bridge between the hip-hop world and the metal world.
Morgoth is the reason the record sounds so "expensive." The guitar tones are thick, the electronics are subtle but effective, and the song structures are tight. He’s one of the most vital members of Seven Hours After Violet because he understands how to make heavy music catchy without stripping away the "scary" parts. He and Shavo reportedly clicked instantly, sharing a vision for a sound that was "heavy but beautiful."
The Rest of the Powerhouse: Alejandro Aranda and Josh Johnson
- Alejandro Aranda (Scarypoolparty): This is the one that really throws people for a loop. If you recognize the name, it’s probably from American Idol. Yeah, that Alejandro. But before he was a TV sensation, he was a massive fan of heavy music. He plays guitar in the band and brings a level of melodic sophistication that is honestly pretty rare in this genre.
- Josh Johnson (Winds of Plague): Every heavy band is only as good as its drummer. Josh is a veteran. His work in Winds of Plague proved he could handle chaotic, symphonic deathcore, and he brings that same precision here. He provides the "violence" that balances out Alejandro’s melodies and Morgoth’s production.
Why This Lineup Actually Matters
Most supergroups feel like a bunch of famous guys in a room trying to remember how to write a hook. This feels different. When you look at the members of Seven Hours After Violet, you see a cross-section of different eras of heavy music. You’ve got the 90s legend (Shavo), the modern deathcore powerhouse (Taylor), the genre-bending producer (Morgoth), the indie/melodic prodigy (Alejandro), and the seasoned metal drummer (Josh).
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It shouldn't work. On paper, it's a mess.
But it works because they aren't trying to be "System of a Down 2.0." They are leaning into the "Violet" part of the name—it’s moody, it’s atmospheric, but it’s still got teeth. The band signed to 1336 Records (Shavo’s label in partnership with Sumerian Records), which gives them the freedom to be as weird as they want to be.
Honestly, the chemistry is what stands out. You can hear it in the track "Alive." The way the bass interacts with the electronic layers isn't something you get from a group of guys just "mailing it in" for a paycheck. They sound like a band that actually likes each other.
The Sound: What to Expect from the Members of Seven Hours After Violet
If you’re going into this expecting "Toxicity," you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re going in expecting "Left to Suffer," you’re also going to be disappointed.
The members of Seven Hours After Violet have carved out a middle ground. Think of it as a mix of:
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- Deftones-style atmosphere
- Korn-inspired groove
- Modern "Thall" or metalcore production
- Pop-sensible vocal hooks
It’s a dense listen. There are layers of synths and vocal harmonies that you might miss on the first spin. Shavo’s bass is loud in the mix—as it should be—and it provides that "clank" that has been missing from heavy radio for a long time.
Common Misconceptions About the Band
I’ve seen a lot of chatter online about what this band is supposed to be. Let’s clear some stuff up. This isn't a side project that’s going to vanish after one tour. Shavo has been very vocal about this being a band, not a project. They’ve already hit the festival circuit (like Aftershock), and the live energy is reportedly massive.
Also, don't assume Taylor Barber is "toning it down." While he does sing more, his screams on the self-titled debut album are some of the most visceral he’s ever recorded. He’s using a different part of his range, but the intensity hasn't dipped at all.
What’s Next for the Group?
The self-titled debut dropped via Sumerian, and it has already started climbing the charts in the alternative and metal categories. The next step is a full-scale tour. Seeing how these members of Seven Hours After Violet translate that studio polish to a raw stage environment is going to be the real test.
If you want to dive deeper into their world, here is what you should actually do:
- Listen to "Float" first. It’s the best representation of their "vibe"—it’s got the melody and the crushing ending.
- Watch the music videos. Shavo has always been a visual guy, and the aesthetic for SHAV is very specific. It’s dark, distorted, and high-fashion.
- Follow Morgoth Beatz on social media. He often posts "behind the scenes" clips of how they built these tracks, and for any gear nerds out there, it’s a goldmine of production tips.
- Check out the 1336 Records roster. Shavo is using this band as a flagship for his new label, so expect more bands with this "modern-meets-classic" sound to pop up soon.
This isn't just a nostalgia trip. It’s a group of musicians who are clearly bored with the current state of "safe" rock music and decided to make something that actually has a pulse. Whether you’re a SOAD die-hard or a new-age metalcore kid, there’s something here that will probably piss you off or make you fall in love. Either way, you’re listening.
Stop waiting for a System album that might never come. Start paying attention to what Shavo is actually doing right now. The members of Seven Hours After Violet are proving that there is plenty of life left in the heavy music scene if you’re willing to mix the ingredients a little differently. Keep an eye on their tour dates for 2025 and 2026, because this lineup is built for the stage.