"I have five rock songs that I wanted I do with SOAD but it doesn’t look like that’s gonna work out, so I am finishing those up to release them as a solo EP or possibly as a soundtrack for my film cause they are interrelated," says Tankian, speaking about one of his proposed projects.

Tankian also revealed in the newsletter that he spent some time in early 2018 completing a musical score for the Aleksandr Kott-directed film Spitak, about the devastating Armenian earthquake of the late '80s. The film is expected later this year. He also collaborated with Mindless Self Indulgence's Jimmy Euringer on a British gangster musical animated project called Fuktronic. Tankian also revealed his involvement in a still-untitled autobiographical film about "finding truth and justice through music using my life and words as the vehicle." The film is expected to premiere in 2019.

The ever-busy Tankian also announced that his Kavat Coffee line is expected to launch later this year, starting with an Armenian coffee line followed by a unique espresso blend. Plus, he's looking at doing some art exhibitions for his Eye for Sound brand in New Zealand in February and March of 2019.

Tankian says in his update that he's currently in Armenia. "It feels great being in a place where progressive, positive change is occurring daily, especially compared to other places that have fallen into stagnation or outright regression."

He also addressed the recent death of Anthony Bourdain. Earlier this year Tankian served as Bourdain's guide on a trip through Armenia for the Parts Unknown series. "The recent loss of Anthony Bourdain really hit us all hard. I was here in Armenia last Oct. shooting Parts Unknown with him and was so impressed with his knowledge, enthusiasm, persona, and quest for truthfulness and justice. I can’t believe I’ve lost three people I know within the last year in this manner. It’s honestly making me a bit conspiratorial but also adamant about living life to the fullest."