Ramo Yekani (Philterium)

Ramo Yekani, performing under the moniker Philterium, is an avant-garde powerhouse in the contemporary rock and heavy music landscape. Beginning his artistic journey at age 20, Yekani is entirely self-taught—a path forged by an innate, visceral driving force that famously saw him construct his very first drum kit from raw wood and elastic fiber. This early masterclass in resourcefulness set the foundation for a career defined by innovation, precision, and an uncompromising dedication to rhythm.

Over the span of two decades, Yekani has sculpted a commanding sonic identity that spans the heavy, complex territories of rock, heavy metal, doom metal, grunge, and progressive rock. Based in Tehran’s vibrant musical underground, he serves as an elite session drummer, lending his formidable talent to prominent local outfits including Miramas and Ratelz, among several other notable bands. Whether breathing life into original compositions or reimagining classic covers, his performances are celebrated for balancing rigorous technical precision with a raw, primal energy.

In 2026, Yekani entered an expansive new chapter of his career by officially joining three prominent Los Angeles-based bands: AtarWratH®, DevaWratH®, and Hallucinations BLUE®. Operating under the supervision of JOUBIN PRODUCTIONS [JP]® INC., he collaborates alongside musician Joubin Mahmoudi (Joobin Mahmoodi) and an international roster of band members worldwide. Within these projects, Yekani commands a massive stylistic spectrum—spanning heavy metal, extreme metal, gothic metal, symphonic metal, progressive metal, country-metal, and hard rock—continually expanding his technical skills and global industry experience as a permanent, official member of all three outfits.

Creative Philosophy & Artistry — Yekani’s architectural style seamlessly bridges rigid structural composition with spontaneous, fluid creativity. Renowned for his telepathic ability to lock in with bassists and bandmates, he establishes an immovable foundation while effortlessly introducing improvised, sophisticated fills when the composition demands. His signatures—a heavy groove, explosive dynamic crash-cymbal artistry, unexpected rhythmic shifts, and complex breakbeats—continually elevate live performances into immersive sonic experiences.

His profound emotional connection to the instrument is crystallized in his original works, most notably the deeply personal tracks “Just a Good Nightmare” and “Phantom.” Written as elegies in memory of two profound personal losses, these pieces showcase his ability to translate deep human grief into powerful, resonant rhythm.

Influences — Yekani’s multifaceted approach draws inspiration from an eclectic lineage of drumming visionaries and rhythmic innovators. His progressive and technical influences include Gavin Harrison and Benny Greb; his rock and metal inspirations include Chad Smith and Shannon Larkin; and his electronic and experimental influences include Danny Carey, Will Calhoun, and Ilan Rubin.

Instrumentation — To achieve his signature high-fidelity sound, Yekani utilizes a Mapex Black Panther Design Lab Limited Edition “Black Widow” drum kit; Istanbul Agop Alchemy Series and Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Series cymbals; Vic Firth and ProMark sticks; and MEINL and ProMark auxiliary percussion, incorporating shakers, cowbells, tambourines, and custom accents.

Engagement & Collaborations — While currently focused exclusively on artistry rather than pedagogy, Ramo Yekani remains dedicated to the continuous evolution of his sound through live performance, studio tracking, and upcoming releases. He is actively available for selective global and remote recording sessions, collaborative studio work, live tour support, and visionary creative projects. His portfolio, studio insights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content are available on Instagram and TikTok through the official handle @Philterium.