If there was ever time I needed to learn to stop getting excited about side projects from bands I love, that time is now.

Scars on Broadway, which features Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan of System of a Down (SOD), make their debut with this self-titled release and leave the listener wondering why they bothered.

"Scars on Broadway" is scattered, unnecessarily vulgar and incredibly uninspired for something being marketed as “progressive” metal. Come to think of it, it’s not unlike SOD’s final two albums.

But for all you really need to know about Scars on Broadway, just give the lyrics a quick glance: “Cute machines/That I love/Cute machines/I can't get enough” or “I like I like suicide mixed/With Jesus Christ yeah/I like I like Jesus Christ mixed/With suicide yeah.”

Ironically, as "Scars on Broadway" ground to a much-appreciated end, Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland’s "12 Bar Blues" followed it in my iTunes library, reminding me that side projects - when done correctly - can actually offer a great alternative and a breath of fresh air.

Unfortunately, Malakian and Dolmayan don't quite hack it.

Sussex Countian