Mayan

MaYaN, the symphonic death‑metal project led by guitarist/vocalist Mark Jansen (Epica, ex‑After Forever), will appear on 1 November 2026 at TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht, presenting a cross‑pollination of extreme metal, progressive tendencies and choral arrangements that are delivered broadly in concert. MaYaN operates as a flexible collective with a core line‑up and rotating voices — men and women from various corners of the European metal scene — which keeps the vocal work layered: at times massive, at times restrained. The set swings between growls and lyrical lines, technical guitars and orchestral textures; its themes touch on spirituality, self‑examination and social tensions. Since the 2010 demo the band has followed its own trajectory with Quarterpast (2011) and Antagonise (2014); in 2018 the EP Undercurrent and the album Dhyana followed, recorded with an expanded choir. Live, this translates into an approach that leaves room for contrast and dynamics, with choral parts that open up the studio arrangements. On stage the collective functions as an instrument, and the band explores the boundary between rawness and melody.