Mayan

Formed in the Netherlands as a symphonic metal outfit, Mayan—presented stylistically as MaYaN—operates under the direction of Epica's guitarist and songwriter Mark Jansen, fusing elaborate neo-classical elements with intense death metal. The ensemble draws lyrical inspiration across politics, religion, philosophy, and meditation while relying on several resident vocalists and frequently bringing in outside guest performers. Jansen established the project in 2010 as a supergroup drawing current and former personnel from God Dethroned, After Forever, Kamelot, Delain, Sons of Seasons, and Orphanage. Nuclear Blast released the band's first studio album, Quarterpast, in 2011; the follow-up, Antagonise, arrived in 2014 and featured appearances by Floor Jansen (After Forever, Nightwish) and Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion). Shortly before the 2018 arrival of the third album, the ambitious Dhyana, Bovio joined as a permanent member, expanding the lineup to ten musicians for sessions that incorporated a live orchestra.