Serart (2013)

Any fan of System of a Down would know to expect more than metal musings from this collaboration between frontman Tankian and Armenian multi-instrumentalist Tuncboyaciyan, who cameoed on System's ''Toxicity.'' Magically, the duo makes tribal beats, chants, electronic noodling, strings, erratic vocals -- and, um, a kajillion other experimental sounds -- as propulsive and enchanting as the band's best work. Serart runs on pure energy and vivid imagination, at turns evoking sanctity, insanity, and delicate beauty.