Vanik Vartanian

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Vanik Issa Vartanian (born 3rd May 1975 in Sidon, Lebanon ) is an Iranian rock musician. He currently resides in Los Angeles.

Vanik was born in Lebanon to an Lebanese - Armenian father and an Armenian - Iranian mother. Vanik, his mother and his grandmother moved to Tehran when he was six months old after his parents' separation. He began playing the drums when he was eight years old. After getting involved in Heavy Metal music, Vanik got into the death role tune which is mainly only used by Joey Jordison of Slipknot and John Dolmayan of System of a Down. When he was in his early twenties, Vanik joined Iranian metal band Kahtmayan as a drummer.

The Government's involvement in the bands music lead to Vanik's concern for his drumming ambition. Vanik tired of the Iranian Government's involvement in every move of Kahtmayan and quit the band. On April 23, 2006 he left Iran for California to set up his own band.

He dreams of setting up a death metal band after listening to metal bands. His favourite bands include Atreyu, Slipknot, Trivium, Bullet for My Valentine and Mudvayne. He wants to follow their example whilst he is still young. He has appeared as a backup drummer for System of a Down when they did an instrumental performance of "Arto". He also did a back up with Slipknot in a concert as a percussionist when they performed in Sydney.

[edit] Trivia

• Vanik was an alcoholic until October 2006. When he moved to California, Vanik started to take advantage of his new life which caused problems in his relationship with his family.
• Vanik was also a heavy smoker. When he got to California he cut down to only two cigarettes per week.
• He is currently dating Iranian actress, Sahar Zakaria