XYSTUS (NL)

Bas Dolmans is a vocalist and a guitarist of XYSTUS - progressive metal formation from Holland. After releasing two, well-acclaimed full length albums and hundreds of shows across the Old World, the band, in cooperation with the student orchestra of Utrecht, intensively prepares a rock/metal opera Equilibrio. This monumental opus for 100 instruments and voices of 5 singers is planned to be revealed in mid 2008.

To support band's musical activities, Mayones has delivered 6 custom instruments, built according to the exact demands of the young musicians. For the band's frontman we made a Setius GTM 7 with Flamed Maple top in glossy transparent black finish, standard Mahogany/Maple neck in natural wood colour and matt finish. The Ebony fingerboard is incrusted with ‘Xystus’ logo at the fifth fretpole. The guitar is equipped with Schaller locking tuners and powered with two DiMarzio humbuckers: Air Norton 7 in the neck position and D-Sonic 7 as bridge pickup.

"The Mayones Setius GTM-7 is the first 7-string guitar I’ve ever owned and not without reason. Many other 7-strings I’ve checked out felt somewhat bulky and out of balance – but the Setius GTM-7 proves to offer the exact opposite." explains his choice Bas - "First of all: the guitar looks terrific, especially with the transparent black finish and ebony fingerboard. Secondly, it plays and sounds like nothing I’ve ever played before: smooth as silk, with brilliant tone and sustain. Yes.. this baby can produce some really diverse kinds of sounds; from sparkly clean to edgy, tight rhythms and screaming high-gain leads."

"On a side note, I’ve tried the Regius-7 as well – but I really preferred the punchy, tight sound of the Setius when playing heavy riffs. What can I say? I guess I’m your typical 'bolt-on construction combined with strings-thru-body’-type of guy."

"Mayones Setius GTM-7: I love it and can’t wait for another one to arrive as soon as possible!"

Xystus was formed back in 1999 by Ivo van Dijk and Bas Dolmans. After hundreds of shows and finding a stable line-up, the release of their debut album "Receiving Tomorrow" became a fact in 2004. This album got raving reviews in the Dutch press and was often labeled as one of the best debuts that year within the Progressive and Power Metal genre. They played numerous shows across Europe, including a tour with Epica, Autumn and Kamelot, one of band's biggest influences.

Three years after the release of the successful debut album Xystus is back with a full length album "Surreal" featuring 12 brand new songs and over 50 minutes of Progressive Symphonic Metal. With a more mature sound, the new album takes the listener on a dramatic roller-coaster ride. The album combines a variety of musical styles and influences while still letting it sound like an “Xystus” album. All these elements are combined and completed with the voice of Bas Dolmans whose vocal performance reaches from heavy power metal to subtle pop like melodies, seamlessly integrating the vocal lines with the ever changing atmosphere of the music.

With Surreal being released Xystus is already hard at work to realize their next ambitious project named Equilibrio. Xystus, in cooperation with the student orchestra of Utrecht and the Dutch musical ensemble, are working hard to bring a full blown rock/metal opera/musical to the theatres. With an orchestra of over a 100 musicians and 5 well known singers this next project promises to be one hell of a ride!

Xystus official website: www.xystus.nl

Xystus official MySpace profile: www.myspace.com/xystusmusic