System of a Down singer and sonic chameleon Serj Tankian has announced 2013 release dates for two of his experimental projects. Along with Tankian's orchestral 'Orca' project and 'Jazz-iz-Christ' project seeing June 25 and July 23 releases, respectively, Tankian has announced new tour dates with his traveling symphony.

Both set for release on Tankian's Serjical Strike record label, 'Orca' and 'Jazz-iz-Christ' explore the continuously strange realm of Tankian's eclectic musical taste, which he famously incorporated into the music of System of a Down. 'Orca' is a Kickstarter-funded four-act symphony which was composed and demoed at Serj Tankian's home studio and put to tape in Linz, Austria, in October 2012.

"While I have rearranged some of my past rock compositions to be performed as orchestral pieces," Tankian begins, "such as the Elect The Dead Symphony in 2010, ORCA is the first 4 act symphony that I have composed, a mix of early 20th century compositional styles combined with the powerful range of film scoring. I decided to name my symphony ORCA because orcas 'appear to have no parallel outside humans' in terms of their cultural faculties. An orca is really a dolphin with much darker tendencies. I see this dichotomy as a great metaphor for humanity."

Tankian's 'Jazz-iz-Christ' is more collaborative in nature, with the System singer composing the record with musicians such as renowned pianist Tigran Hamasyan, flautist Valeri Tolstov and trumpet player Tom Duprey, among others. The 15-track record is mostly instrumental except for four songs, and consists of progressive jazz, electronic, ethnic and even rock elements.

'Orca' will be available for pre-order on May 1, and Serj Tankian will begin touring all four acts of Orca with his traveling symphony beginning Sept. 19 in the Ukraine. 'Jazz-iz-Christ' pre-orders will commence on May 15. Listen to clips from both releases on Serj Tankian's website.

Check out Serj Tankian's full list of 'Orca' tour dates below!

Serj Tankian 'Orca' 2013 Tour Dates:

09/19 - Kiev, Ukraine @ Ukraina Hall
09/21 - Yekaterinburg, Russia @ Kosmos Hall
09/23 - Novosibirsk, Russia @ DK Zheleznodorozhnik
09/25 - Krasnoyarsk, Russia @ Philharmony
09/27 - Moscow, Russia @ Crocus City Hall
09/28 - St. Petersburg, Russia @ Orjktybyrsky Concert Hall
10/03 - Florence, Italy @ Teatro Comunale
10/04 - Padova, Italy @ Gran Teatro Geox
10/05 - Rome, Italy @ Auditorium Parco Della Musica

'Orca' and 'Jazz-iz-Christ' Album Covers:

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