VANAKAN

VANAKAN was founded in 2021 in Yerevan, Armenia, with a simple ambition: to bring a new breath to Armenia's rock scene and build an Armenian presence in the world.

The band began with Van Hovhannisyan on vocals and keyboards and Tigran Sahakyan on drums. After a year of writing, experimenting, and rehearsing together, the lineup expanded in 2022 with Artur Harutyunyan on electric guitar and Levon Abrahamyan on bass, forming VANAKAN's final four-piece lineup.

In October 2022, VANAKAN played its first live concert during the reopening of Babylon Theater, sharing the stage with established Armenian bands Katil and Rozen Tal. It marked the beginning of what would become one of the defining sides of the band — an intense and energetic live presence built around the contrast between heavy rock, atmospheric passages, piano-driven melodies, and Armenian musical influences.

Magnet — First EP, 2023
In 2023, the band entered the studio to record its first EP, Magnet, alongside the single Բարի Աստված / Bari Astvats. After months of hesitation, both were finally released in August 2023, introducing VANAKAN's sound to a wider audience.

From 2024 onward, the band entered a new creative stage. VANAKAN began collaborating with Radiotoon Records, releasing Անկանիմ / Ankanim, which became one of the band's audience favorites. It was followed by further releases, including Falling Upward and Արևս Քեզ / Arevs Qez, as the band continued developing a sound that moves between progressive rock, art rock, blues, Armenian ethnic music, and classical influences.

During this period, VANAKAN's work also began moving beyond the traditional rock stage. The band became involved in theatrical projects, including work connected with internationally acclaimed Armenian-French actor, director, and playwright Simon Abkarian. Their work in theatre led to VANAKAN being nominated for the Artavazd Awards in the category of Best Music for a Theatrical Performance, marking an important step in the band's development as composers as well as live musicians

In 2025 and 2026, that direction evolved into the band's most ambitious project so far: "Eposner". With "Eposner", VANAKAN brings together the different sides of its sound developed over the previous years — progressive and alternative rock, Armenian musical elements, and a strong emphasis on storytelling. The album marks a more mature and experimental period for the band, both musically and conceptually, while remaining rooted in the sound and identity VANAKAN has been building since its formation.

The first chapter of the project has already begun with the release of the title track, "Eposner", with the full-length album to follow.