System of a Down vs. Oasis: Rock’s most entertaining feud is alive again

Daron Malakian reignites a decades-old rivalry in London as System of a Down continue their triumphant world tour, while Oasis prepare for Venice, a blockbuster documentary, and what could be another massive comeback in 2027.

Rock music has always thrived on rivalries. From The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Blur versus Oasis, clashes between larger-than-life personalities have often become part of the mythology surrounding the music itself. Now, one of the unlikeliest feuds in modern rock has unexpectedly returned to center stage, as System of a Down and Oasis have once again found themselves exchanging blows—this time in front of tens of thousands of fans.

The latest chapter unfolded during System of a Down’s sold-out performances at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 13 and July 15. Rather than simply celebrating their long-awaited return to the UK, guitarist Daron Malakian decided to revisit an old score that apparently has never been settled.

During the first London show, Malakian jokingly encouraged the crowd to “finally get Oasis out of your ass,” prompting laughter and loud reactions from the audience. Two nights later, he doubled down with another tongue-in-cheek jab, humorously blaming Oasis—and specifically their anthem “Wonderwall”—for England’s defeat against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup semifinal played that same day. It was classic Malakian: sarcastic, provocative and perfectly aware that, in Britain, there are few easier ways to spark a reaction than poking fun at one of the country’s most beloved bands.

For many younger fans, the comments may have sounded like spontaneous banter. In reality, they were the continuation of a story that stretches back more than two decades.

The origins of the feud date to the early 2000s, when Noel Gallagher, never known for diplomatic interviews, dismissed System of a Down in spectacular fashion during an American radio appearance, calling them “the shittiest band of all time.” The remark quickly became another entry in Noel’s infamous catalog of outspoken opinions, alongside criticisms aimed at countless artists throughout his career. While many assumed it would eventually be forgotten, Malakian clearly never did.

What makes the rivalry particularly fascinating is how different the two bands are. System of a Down emerged from the American alternative metal scene, blending crushing riffs with Armenian folk influences, political commentary and unpredictable songwriting. Oasis, meanwhile, became one of the defining acts of Britpop, writing stadium-sized anthems that captured an entire generation during the 1990s. Musically, they share almost nothing. Yet both have become cultural institutions with fiercely loyal fanbases, making every new exchange instantly viral.

The timing of Malakian’s comments is hardly accidental. System of a Down are currently enjoying one of the biggest touring periods of their career. Although the band has famously released no new studio album since the twin records Mezmerize and Hypnotize in 2005—aside from the charity singles issued in 2020—their concerts continue to sell out around the world. Their 2026 stadium tour has demonstrated that demand for the band remains enormous, attracting both longtime followers and an entirely new generation discovering songs like Chop Suey!, Toxicity, B.Y.O.B. and Aerials through streaming platforms and social media. The London concerts, packed with tens of thousands of fans, confirmed that the band’s live appeal has hardly faded despite years of inactivity in the recording studio.

Meanwhile, Oasis find themselves in a remarkably different—but equally successful—moment.

After their historic reunion, Noel and Liam Gallagher have transformed what once seemed impossible into one of the biggest comeback stories in rock history. The band’s return has become the subject of “Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger,” a feature-length documentary created by Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, and directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace. The film follows the emotional reunion of the Gallagher brothers, taking audiences behind the scenes of the hugely successful Live ’25 Tour with exclusive rehearsal footage, backstage access and the first extensive joint interviews between Noel and Liam in more than two decades. It will receive its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic events, before arriving in IMAX cinemas and later on Disney+.

The documentary represents something far greater than a simple concert film. It captures one of modern rock’s most remarkable reconciliations, documenting how two brothers whose public relationship once appeared beyond repair managed to reunite and fill stadiums across the globe once again. In many ways, the story has evolved beyond nostalgia into a broader reflection on family, legacy and the enduring emotional connection between artists and their audience.

Adding even more intrigue is the growing speculation surrounding Oasis’ future. While no official announcement has yet been made, industry insiders and fan communities increasingly expect another international tour in 2027, with rumors suggesting new dates could be unveiled following the documentary’s release. As always with Oasis, separating genuine information from wishful thinking remains difficult, but anticipation continues to build among fans eager to see the reunion continue.

Whether the latest exchange between System of a Down and Oasis develops into another public war of words remains to be seen. History suggests that Noel Gallagher has rarely resisted responding when challenged, while Daron Malakian has now demonstrated that he still remembers comments made decades ago. Even if nothing more happens, the renewed sparring serves as a reminder that rock music still thrives on personality as much as performance.

In an era where many artists carefully manage every public statement, genuine unpredictability has become increasingly rare. That’s precisely why fans continue to love moments like these. No lawsuits, no social media meltdowns—just two legendary bands, decades apart, keeping one of rock’s strangest rivalries alive.

And if history has taught us anything, this almost certainly won’t be the final chapter.