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).
Paladins Of Deceit
MaYaN Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take your responsibility
Let your spirit flow, let your bias go
Let the storm take your veils away
Feed
Infallibility
See through these fairly obvious lies
Let your spirit flow, let your bias go
Let the storm clear your gloomy sky
Run away, don′t run away
If you dare to listen
Let your spirit flow, let your bias go
Let the storm take your veils away
Try to keep an open mind
There's always something that liars can't hide
Freedom and privacy
Give them up
It′s the end that justifies the means
Your silent secrecy
Give it up
For our own security
Close your eyes, don′t close your eyes
See through these nasty lies
Let your spirit flow, let your bias go
Let the storm clear your sky
Run away, don't run away
If you dare to listen
Let your spirit flow, let your bias go
Take your veils away
Only an open mind can see reality
Only if you seek the truth, you′ll get the truth
Only an open mind can see reality
Just those who want to be fooled, will be fooled
Freedom is just an illusion
Those who reign want to stay where they are
Freedom is just a Utopia
The masses have to be kept under control
The lyrics of MaYaN's song "Paladins of Deceit" encourage the listener to let go of their prejudices and biases, embrace authenticity and see through the lies propagated by those in power. The song begins by urging the listener to embrace their responsibilities and let their spirit flow freely. The metaphor of a storm clearing the veil of lies that obscures the truth is used throughout the song. The lyrics also criticize the idea of sacrificing privacy and freedom in the name of security, stressing the importance of open-mindedness and seeking the truth.
The song's message is relevant in today's world, where disinformation and propaganda are rampant. The lyrics stress the need for individual agency in seeking the truth and the dangers of blindly following those in power. The use of metaphors throughout the song, including storms and veils, emphasizes the need to see through the fakery and embrace authenticity. Ultimately, the song celebrates the power of the individual to seek out and recognize the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
Run away, don′t run away
Don't ignore the situation, take action
Take your responsibility
Take accountability for your actions
Let your spirit flow, let your bias go
Allow yourself to be open-minded and let go of preconceived notions
Let the storm take your veils away
Let difficult situations reveal the truth
Feed
Emphasizing the desire for power and control
Infallibility
Emphasizing the belief in one's own perfection and correctness
Close your eyes, don't close your eyes
Pay attention to what is happening around you
See through these fairly obvious lies
Recognize deceit when it is present
Let the storm clear your gloomy sky
Allow difficult times to bring clarity to the situation
If you dare to listen
Encouraging the audience to be attentive
Try to keep an open mind
Encouraging the audience to be unbiased
There's always something that liars can't hide
The truth will eventually come out
Freedom and privacy, Give them up
Those in power often sacrifice the rights of the masses for their own gain
It's the end that justifies the means
The outcome is more important than how it is achieved
Your silent secrecy, Give it up
Don't remain complacent and let corrupt actions take place
For our own security
Used as an excuse for taking away individual rights
If you seek the truth, you′ll get the truth
Only through actively searching for the truth will it be found
Just those who want to be fooled, will be fooled
People who willingly ignore the truth will never see it
Freedom is just an illusion
Individual freedoms are often not as significant as they seem
Those who reign want to stay where they are
Those in power will do anything to maintain their position
Freedom is just a Utopia
The concept of true freedom is an unachievable ideal
The masses have to be kept under control
The masses must be subdued to maintain the power of the elite
Writer(s): Jansen, Mark, Schiphorst, Frank, Driessen, Jack
Contributed by Thomas R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.