Daron Malakian, the Armenian-American musician, is best known as the guitarist and songwriter for heavy metal band System of a Down and as the leader of Scars on Broadway. Malakian's distinct guitar style features drop-C tuning and angular riffing over soloing, with a vocal range that shifts between a grainy baritone and frenzied falsetto.

Born in Hollywood to Armenian parents, Malakian's love for heavy metal was nurtured from a young age, leading him to develop a diverse musical style influenced by bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Slayer. Alongside his success with System of a Down, Malakian formed Scars on Broadway in 2003, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2008 before reuniting with the band for the release of Dictator in 2018. Despite setbacks in System of a Down's reunion plans, Malakian continues to create and perform with his bands, showcasing his talent as a versatile musician and producer.