MaYaN

Originating in the Netherlands around guitarist and vocalist Mark Jansen (Epica, ex-After Forever), MaYaN explores a form of symphonic extreme metal that blends death metal, progressive influences and choral writing. The band operates as a variable collective built around a core of permanent musicians and a roster of male and female voices drawn from different European metal scenes, giving MaYaN a particularly dense vocal identity. MaYaN’s compositions alternate between growled vocals and lyrical lines, massive choirs and more intimate passages, underpinned by orchestral arrangements and technical guitars, with lyrics addressing spiritual, introspective themes and social issues. After a first demo in 2010, MaYaN released the album Quarterpast in 2011, which established this mix of extreme metal and symphonic elements, followed by Antagonise in 2014, noted for a stronger emphasis on rhythmic aspects and vocal contrasts. In 2018 the band issued the EP Undercurrent, and later that year released Dhyana, recorded with a large vocal ensemble, furthering the search for a balance between brutality and orchestral textures. Active on festival stages and touring mainly across Europe, MaYaN continues to develop this collective project format in which the stage and choral dimensions extend the studio work.