Mark's new project: MaYaN

So Mark founded a new band together with Jack Driessen (After Forever) and Frank Schiphorst. The topic is obviously one of Mark's favorites: Mayan culture.

From their myspace:
Mark Jansen's (EPICA) new band, founded together with Jack Driessen (ex AFTER FOREVER) and Frank Schiphorst, is called MaYaN, named after the wise and rich mayan culture.

'There was only one record label we wanted to sign with: Nuclear Blast, so we didn't even look for other companies to work with and we're very happy that this appreciation is mutual!

The debut album will be recorded and mixed at the end of the year 2010 and the beginning of 2011 by Sascha Paeth. We're also stoked to announce that Jeroen Paul Thesseling (PESTILENCE, OBSCURA), known for his signature six-string fretless playing in progressive death metal, will join as permanent member on bass guitar. Also Isaac Delahaye and Arien van Weesenbeek (EPICA) will complete the line up!

The release of the album will take place around May 2011 and the CD presentation will take place at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. The music is a mixture of death, black and progressive metal combined with symphonic orchestral arrangements. We'll work with some very interesting guests and these will be announced very soon!'
http://www.myspace.com/mayanofficial#ixzz13kpmfj4a

They also post alot of videos about their recording process on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/mayanofficial




So, what do think?

I'm not too sure about this project, I mean all of these are talented but I'm not sure if this will be my thing.

The stuff I heard through the videos seemed to me alot like an Epica-Clone, just harder and without a regular female voice (maybe there'll be guest appareances). It's all orchestral and alot of choire...so basically somthing I might like, but nothing new.

So far everything I heard sounded great .

I think this will be a new twist for Epica. I'm actually looking forward to their material

I'll looking for this material but no clue if I'll buy the album!

I am still waiting for the album, I might enjoy listening to it but I not too much. Music wise I don't like all of the chord progressions that I heard on the teaser.

I also listened to the teaser and I expected it to be something different. But then most of the songs do sound interesting.

Sounds cool I would definitely listen to it.

Bram wrote:

I am still waiting for the album, I might enjoy listening to it but I not too much. Music wise I don't like all of the chord progressions that I heard on the teaser.

Hmm after listening to Drown The Demon, I have to rephrase that. I love it, I do not think it's an Epica clone at all! Surely going to listen to it over and over again.

I haven't really started my adventure with MaYaN so far but after a few listenings I think it'll suit me. At the moment The Sinner's Last Retreat is my favourite

I think my expectations were too high :-/ I love all the ingredients, sure, but I don't think it's my style of music. Seems too progressive and a bit all over the place. I do like some of the songs though.

^ Same here. I guess the only reason why I actually like them is because it's a bit like Epica..

Haha yep! I mean if it wasn't for the Epica and Floor connection it wouldn't be the sort of thing I'd listen to at all.

^ Same with me. I was only interessted in it because it's an Epica side project. After listening to the album I have to say it's not my cup of tea. But maybe I'll need to listen to it more often to get into it, I'm not giving up yet

Hum, I think it's amazing! One of the albuns of the year imo. of course, it's somekind of symphonic progressive death metal, and I somewhat enjoyed it! my fave song is "Course of Life". :p

Oh 'Quarterpast' is just fantastic! It's certainly not easy album to get into, but it's worth it. It's one of the most technical albums I've ever heard, surpassing a lot of great bands. The vocal lines and choirs are all top quality, but some of the riffs are bit off imo. Like the main riff of 'Bite The Bullet' (written by Sander Gommans) is just plain boring, then again rest of the song is really good. The high notes on chorus by Simone, pure love. Another example of riffing that i'm not into is the main riff of 'The Savage Massacre'.

My favorite songs are Celibate Aphrodite, Drown The Demon and War On Terror. Cant wait for the video of the latter one

Btw Simone did incredible job on the album! She sounds so emotional and beautiful on 'Mainstay Of Society'.

I think I need to keep listening to it. I really want to like it, I just found it hard to listen to

I just need to ignore the silly speaking bits I think, hehe.

I actually absolutely love the speaking parts on Celibate Aphrodite! The one with the doomy riff on the backround, ''The sinner asks for forgiveness, but what would you do?'' I thought that one was just brilliant.

Another great thing about the album i forgot to mention, the totally wicked and batshit crazy synth solos!! The one on Symphony Of Aggression is just, psychotic perfection

It's not the words... it's the silly voice they do them in Who actually speaks them anyway? It's like a weird fake American accent...

It's the same with the bits in Kingdom of Heaven, one of my friends actually started laughing and told me to turn it off because he thought it was so awful

It's Arien the drummer! He does all the voice-overs on DYU and Quarterpast. Most likely on the next Epica record aswell. Somehow i enjoy even the funny part on KOH, it's so goofy it fits there haha.

Ohhh, I love Arien, he has a weird voice though!

Haha i love him too! His imitations are priceless..

I like it. I was put off by War of Terror first as I couldn't understand it, but now I can safely say I really like them. But I don't think those symphonic influences are necessary, imo they'd do much better as a progressive death metal band.

Just seen them 2 times live 29-9-11 and 30-9-11, what a powerfull live act! Also I directly bought their cd straight after the show. As far as I know, the guitar amps and stuff are on it's wait to Ieper as I saw their transport van driving through my street. So who ever is going to see them there. You won't regret!