How Josh Mak is Building a Cinematic Metal Brand Around ANA, Comics, and Global Storytelling
In a world where genre lines blur and attention spans shorten, Josh Mak is going longform. Best known as the guitarist and creative force behind the band ANA , Mak isn’t just making music—he’s building an entire narrative universe. His upcoming debut album, a complementary comic series, a feature-length documentary, and plans for a signature Ormsby guitar all point to one thing: this isn’t just metal. It’s a cinematic movement.
Mak’s journey into metal began in earnest the first time he heard In Flames’ "Zombie Inc." It was a moment of revelation. "The juxtaposition of beautiful melody and crushing brutality made a huge impression on me," he recalls. But unlike many of his contemporaries, his musical tastes don’t live solely in distortion. He cites Oasis as his all-time favorite band. "Their songs are a masterclass in songwriting," Mak explains. "Outside of music, I’ve always been inspired by chefs and filmmakers."
That cross-disciplinary inspiration is no accident. ANA isn’t just a band; it’s a multi-sensory brand. From the hand-crafted visuals to the fashion-forward aesthetics, Mak is curating an experience, not just an album. His comic book series—also named ANA—is already into its second issue. The art style, storytelling, and sonic direction all feed into each other, unified by a single creative vision.
Instrumentally, Mak is as meticulous as he is emotional. He performs with Ormsby’s Metal X and Metal V models, run through a Neural DSP Quad Cortex and backed by amps ranging from a Friedman BE100 to a Mesa/Boogie John Petrucci Signature. But what makes his sound unique isn’t the gear—it’s the intent. "My tone is raw, untamed, and luxurious," he says. "I often joke that the color of a guitar affects my tone. It changes how I feel, and that changes how I play."
Mak composes like a director. His riffs begin not with a scale or a rhythm, but with a story. "Music and film are similar," he explains. "At its core there must be a great story, and that dictates what follows." When it comes to solos, he rarely pre-writes. Instead, he improvises, captures, and refines. It’s an iterative process more common in visual arts than in music, but it’s also what gives ANA its unmistakable voice.
Despite the ambition, Mak’s mindset remains grounded. His most memorable performances haven’t been at festivals or stadiums but in intimate venues like clubs in Berlin and Osaka. "It’s the fans with overwhelming love and appreciation that make a show stick in my mind," he says. "Even if there’s only ten people, we play for them."
That respect for the audience fuels his discipline. Touring, he emphasises, is more about the 23 hours offstage than the one hour on. Nutrition, sleep, mindset—every element plays a role. And while his performances look effortless, they’re the result of relentless self-awareness and sacrifice. It’s a theme that reappears throughout his work: beauty built on struggle.
Mak’s ambitions don’t stop at music or comics. Personally, he wants to partner more closely with Ormsby Guitars to create a signature model—not just sonically tailored, but fashion-forward. "I want designs inspired by high fashion," he says. "Sometimes striking and iconic, sometimes understated elegance. It should appeal to guitarists and non-musicians alike."
As ANA gears up for their Asian tour and the release of their debut album, Mak is already thinking beyond. His plans include further comic issues and a documentary film chronicling the band’s journey. But perhaps more than anything, he hopes to be a bridge between tradition and innovation in heavy metal. "Tradition should not fear innovation, and innovation should always respect tradition," he says. "I hope ANA can be that balance."
Whether he's writing a riff, cooking a meal, or sketching a storyboard, Josh Mak approaches every discipline with the same ethos: tell a story worth hearing—and make it beautiful.
Gear Rundown
Guitars:
Processor / Effects:
- Neural DSP Quad Cortex (gain / delay / reverb)
- Morley switchless wah
Amplification (rotating):
- Friedman BE‑100
- Mesa/Boogie John Petrucci Signature
- Marshall JCM 900