Speaking with Billboard's Kory Grow about an assortmet of projects and music, System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian talked about the late Chris Cornell and working on the film, The Promise. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

Kory: When I interviewed Chris Cornell about his song for the film shortly before his death, he said he consulted you to make sure he got the tone right. What do you remember about that?

Serj: "We were both friends with (producer) Eric Esrailian, and we were both giving him advice on the music. He was asking for support. So Chris and I became closer as friends because of The Promise. At one point, I think they wanted us to do the main theme music together, and then they realized they were going to need two end tracks. So he did the title track, and I did this beautiful, classical-jazz rendition of an old Armenian folk song called 'Sari Siroun Yar'. But he sent me an email and he goes, 'What do you think?' And I loved it. I told him, 'It's really emotional and you're bringing everything out.' He made a great connection in the song. The most important thing to realize about the Armenian Genocide is not just what happened 100 years ago, but how it's relevant today, because that shit's happening now. That's what he did with the song; he made that connection. I was really grateful for that. And I'm a huge fan of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell, growing up. And he knows that (laughs). We became friends, but I've still always been his fan, you know? So his support on the film was incredibly important."

It's very tough, man. I still can't get over (his death). I can't get over how it happened. I still don't understand, and I don't think I ever will. And that's the truth."

Read the complete interview here.

Multi-Grammy Award-winning, Golden Globe nominee Chris Cornell's theatrical version music video for his song "The Promise" has been released by Survival Pictures. "The Promise" was Cornell's last release prior to his passing, and it served as the theme song to this year's film The Promise. All proceeds from the movie are being donated to various charities. Watch the video below.

Earlier this week The Los Angeles Committee of Human Rights Watch also introduced the inaugural Promise Award, which was inspired by the film and song that powerfully depicted the atrocities committed against the Armenian people. The award recognizes an outstanding song, television show, or film that advances the values of equity and justice in an original and powerful way. Fittingly, the inaugural honor was awarded to the late legendary singer and songwriter Chris Cornell in recognition of this song.

"Chris Cornell was not only a dear family friend for many years, but he was also a once-in-a generation talent who is missed more than words can convey. It was such an honor to collaborate and partner on The Promise over the years, said Eric Esrailian, Producer of The Promise and Co-Manager for Survival Pictures.  "His music and lyrics will not only shine a light on the Armenian Genocide and the human rights crises of modern times, but they will also inspire people and provide hope for years to come."

The video was directed by Grammy Award winning director Meiert Avis (Audioslave, U2) and Stefan Smith (Madonna, Sting). "The Promise" is Cornell's last music video performance.  It also includes media donated by Academy Award nominated director Evgeny Afineesvky (HBO's Cries from Syria), UNESCO Prize for Peace Recipient SOS Méditerranée, Freshwater Films (Ross Kemp's Libya's Migrant Hell), Keo Films (Exodus:  Our Journey To Europe), Nazik Armenakyan (Survivors), Human Rights Watch, Refugee Rescue, and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

At the time of the song's release Cornell said, "The Promise" to me is mainly about paying homage to those we lost in the Armenian Genocide, but it's also about shining a light on more recent atrocities. The same methods used in the Armenian genocide were used to carry out crimes against humanity in Bosnia, Darfur, Rwanda and right now in Syria on multiple fronts, contributing to a massive global refugee crisis. Unfortunately, the words 'never again' seem like just words when we recall these mass executions of the twentieth century, as well as renewed racism and prejudice around the world. Even in the US, the warning signs - isolating groups based on race and religion - are evident. We really need to tell these stories and keep telling them in as many different ways as we can. As humans, we have a tremendous capacity to trudge ahead in our lives and not look at the difficult and challenging moments... but I think it's important. Educating ourselves on the past is the best way to understand the present and avoid future atrocities by understanding and intervening. We must educate and stand as one to combat this fear and violence, and as citizens of the world, work to protect each other's human rights."

In April 2017, Cornell and his family toured refugee camps in Greece and it was there that they decided The Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation would focus its efforts on child refugees and the issues affecting them including education, health and human trafficking.