ZOUK MIKAEL, Lebanon: “I’ve spent 37 years away from you,” announced Serj Tankian over the weekend, “but I promise it won’t be so long next time.”

Born in Lebanon, Tankian, the Lebanese-Armenian-American singer and lead vocalist of the metal band System of a Down, has lived in the U.S. for most of his life. But this weekend, he made an outstanding return with his performance at the Beirut Rock Festival in Zouk Mikael’s Roman amphitheater.

Opening for Tankian on Friday was the Lebanese band EpiSode, followed by the Armenian singers Eileen Khatchadourian and Tankian’s father Khatchadour Tankian. These performances differed in style, and together they were strong enough to warm up the amphitheater’s audience.

EpiSode violinist Avo Dermidjian absolutely dazzled spectators with his dexterity and speed on the electric violin. Watching Dermidjian play violin solos was as electrifying as watching a guitarist doing so.

As for Eileen Khatchadourian, great pride was recognizable in her clear voice and powerful stage presence. She sang popular Armenian folk songs, and even though some listeners didn’t understand the language, they could still catch the singer’s message and feel the mood.

At one point in her performance, Khatchadourian was applauded with fervor by the audience when she dedicated a song the Armenian victory at the Battle of Sardarabad, which occurred on May 28, 1918.

Singer Khatchadour Tankian also paid his tribute to his country by singing Armenian folk tunes. With elegance, he interpreted these numbers, and the audience offered their respect in applause.

But the minute Serj Tankian entered the stage, the audience rose to their feet. His show was entitled “Elect the Dead Symphony” a nod to his 2010 live solo album of the same name. Accompanied by the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra, Tankian showed that metal and rock tunes can be combined with classical styling.

For more than two hours, the audience listened, clapped and sang with Tankian, with great fervor – many of them recording or filming the performance with their mobile devices and waving Armenian flags.

One could hardly be indifferent towards Tankian’s voice, a combination of gruff notes with lyrical – almost opera-like – ones.

He re-interpreted his own solo songs “Sky is Over,” “Money” and “Lie Lie Lie,” to name just a few. All are originally rock songs, but the orchestra added a fantasy feeling. While listening to Tankian and the orchestra, one could picture imaginary scenes where fantasy-like creatures joined the singer on stage, in a re-interpretation of one of Tim Burton’s movies.

At one point during his show, Tankian gently mocked Lebanon’s lack of public transport, but also wisely stated his respect for the Lebanese. “If Lebanese stand together,” he said, “no one can take us down.”

Tankian also showed great respect and admiration for his father, who joined him on stage to interpret an Armenian folk song. Father and son sang together, with emotion that could be felt by each person sitting in the amphitheater. One could see and hear the Tankians moved and happy to be together on stage. Even though their voices are different, the meeting of these performers gave true meaning to the expression “like father, like son.”

The evening, with its mixing of singers, languages, and musical genres, was not only a tribute to Tankian’s rock and metal music. It was also a tribute to Armenia and multiculturalism.

Tankian added a verse to his opening number that reflected the evening’s tone. “Floods, earthquakes and diseases don’t recognize borders,” he sang, “so why should we?”