Biography
Varkan fuses the theatricality of arena rock and the aggression of thrash metal into hard-hitting, melodic heavy metal.
Formed in 2014 by singer/guitarist Alec Damiano and drummer Michael Rodriguez, Varkan first made waves with their 2015 demo, “Back to the Butcher”. As their lineup solidified with the addition of guitarist Dominic Scarano and bassist Salvador Barragan, so did their sound, leaning heavily into their NWOBHM influences on their “Filthy Human Race” demo (2016).
In 2019, the band’s self-titled debut album, Varkan, earned international acclaim and secured a direct distribution deal in Japan. That same year, they shared the stage with thrash legends and Grammy nominees, Death Angel.
After winning first place in the Phoenix edition of the 2020 Wacken Metal Battle, Varkan turned their focus to the studio, crafting two powerful tracks, “Butcher” and “Fire & Blood”. Their partnership with Metal Assault Records led to the release of the Butcher EP in 2021, a testament to their evolving sound.
With their upcoming EP, Cradle to Grave (2025), Varkan delivers melodic, technical, and fist-pumping power metal that is as catchy as it is ferocious.
Varkan is:
Alec Damiano – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Dominic Scarano – guitar
Michael Rodriguez – drums