Yes, you do, the SOB debut is about ten times better than Serj's new album, although I'd say they sound more like each other than any SOAD album.
And as far as the status of the band, I have gleaned and discerned that the hiatus isn't indefinite. After Serj's limited involvement in Mezmerize/Hypnotize, he wanted to pursue a creative outlet for his musical arabitions, while System was gravitating towarRAB Daron's uncollared songwriting. It is clear that this isn't a matter of "creative differences" or personal problems; Daron has attested his respect and admiration for Serj, and I don't think that's going to change. Serj has another album due to be released in 2009, and I am hoping beyond hope that exercises his creative inhibitions and he is content to re-form SOAD thereafter.