When Mark, Jack and Frank got together, great chemistry emerged. Songs started popping out in no time, combining neck-wrecking technical death-metal riffing with huge melodic symphonic parts on thunderous drums topped by Mark's complex and thought-provoking lyrics through his brutal in-your-face grunts and screams. As the project evolved beyond expectations, the three members decided to turn it into a band and really go for it. Ariën van Weesenbeek (Epica), Isaac Delahaye (Epica, God Dethroned) and Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Obscura, Pestilence) completed the line-up. A new metal-machine was born; MaYaN.
As the music asked for more, brainstorming on vocalists for clean parts was done and resulted in a collaboration with the guests; Floor Jansen (After Forever, Nightwish, Revamp), Simone Simons (Epica), Henning Basse (Metalium) and the revelation and one of the biggest Italian Opera talents; Laura Macrì.
Demos were sent to Nuclear Blast, the first and best record label that came up for releasing the music. After listening to the demos their enthusiasm lead to a record-deal. Again a great step to success.
MaYaN hired the Gate Studios with renowned producer Sascha Paeth to record their first album called Quarterpast, to be released in May 2011.
After the recordings, bassist Jeroen's very busy schedule didn't allow him to join for the planned live shows. He was replaced by Rob van der Loo (Epica).
Drown the Demon
MaYaN Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bare to face
Pain and aggression
I can't bare it.
Don't you despise me
Dare to chase
Wealth and possession
We have been guided by lust
Forsaken
Drawn to be cruel and unjust.
This is a command
Believe in me
Reach out and take my hand.
Don't you see?
You are in need of me
Don't underrate me
We have been tempted to flee
This is a command
Believe in me
Reach out and take my hand
Just sacrifice your soul
You can't deny
The demon who is in control.
We shall betray
We will rise
To slay and sacrifice.
We shall lead you stray
We spread lies
In order to survive.
Don't you evade me
Bare to face
Fatal destruction
I can't bare it
Don't you delay me
Dare to face
Into your enemy
Don't underrate me.
We have been tempted to flee
Forsaken
Leaving us idle and weak.
Your self-pity is just another excuse to shift the blame.
With might and main
Shield your domain.
We are no victim of our deeds
Just take responsibilities
Fight for yourself and don't return
Before all lessons are learned.
This is a command
Believe in me
Reach out and take my hand
Just sacrifice your soul
You can't deny
The demon who is in control.
Your self-pity is just another excuse to shift the blame.
The lyrics to MaYaN's song "Drown the Demon" speak about the internal battle of temptation and self-doubt that a person may face. The song starts with commanding the listener to confront their pain and aggression, not to deny it. The lyrics then go on to say that wealth and possessions should not be chased at the cost of underrating oneself or being despised. As humans, the song suggests that we are often guided by our lust, leading us to be cruel and unjust.
The song then moves towards a darker tone, where the listener is commanded to believe in the demon in control and sacrifice their soul. It speaks of being tempted to flee and spreading lies to survive, highlighting that we can become our own worst enemy by not taking responsibility for our actions.
The lyrics try to evoke a sense of taking charge of one's life, fighting for oneself, and not giving up before all the lessons are learned. It ends with the powerful statement that "your self-pity is just another excuse to shift the blame," which suggests that it's only by confronting our fears and taking responsibility that we can overcome the demon inside us.
Overall, the song is a powerful call to recognize that inner demons cannot be denied but must be faced head-on. It's a message of the need to take responsibility for oneself, to stay strong, and fight against fears or temptations that may be holding us back from our true potential.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you deny me
Acknowledge my existence and power
Bare to face
Be honest and truthful
Pain and aggression
Emotional turmoil and anger
I can't bare it.
It's too much for me to handle
Don't you despise me
Don't hate me
Dare to chase
Take risks and pursue your desires
Wealth and possession
Material wealth and belongings
Don't underrate me.
Don't underestimate me
We have been guided by lust
Our actions have been influenced by strong desires
Forsaken
Abandoned or left behind
Drawn to be cruel and unjust.
Inclined towards being harsh and unfair
This is a command
I am giving you an order
Believe in me
Have faith in me
Reach out and take my hand.
Accept my guidance and support
Don't you see?
Can't you understand?
You are in need of me
You require my help
We have been tempted to flee
We have been tempted to run away from our problems
Just sacrifice your soul
Give up what's important to you
You can't deny
You cannot refuse
The demon who is in control.
The negative influence that's taking over
We shall betray
We will hurt and deceive
We will rise
We will become stronger
To slay and sacrifice.
To kill and give up something important
We shall lead you stray
We will misguide you
We spread lies
We tell untruths
In order to survive.
To stay alive or to continue existing
Don't you evade me
Don't avoid me
Fatal destruction
Deadly damage or ruin
Don't you delay me
Don't postpone or put off
Into your enemy
Towards your opponent or foe
We have been tempted to flee
We have been tempted to run away from our problems
Forsaken
Abandoned or left behind
Leaving us idle and weak.
Making us stagnant and vulnerable
Your self-pity is just another excuse to shift the blame.
Don't blame others for your problems, take accountability for yourself
With might and main
With all your strength and effort
Shield your domain.
Protect what's important to you
We are no victim of our deeds
We are responsible for our own actions
Just take responsibilities
Accept responsibility for what you have done
Fight for yourself and don't return
Stand up for yourself and don't give in
Before all lessons are learned.
Before you fully understand the situation and consequences
Contributed by Nathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.