MYSTIC began writing their material without wanting to play cover songs. They soon entered a local battle of the bands and quickly took home the grand prize due to the overwhelming crowd reaction. Local promoters present at the event saw the audience's response and immediately began booking MYSTIC for several gigs. The grand prize from the contest was a cash reward that MYSTIC would use to cut its first demo. MYSTIC became a regular opening act for popular Long Island bands throughout 1986. That same year, James Iadevaio would leave the band. From 1986 through 1988, MYSTIC went through several line-up changes. John would also switch from bass to guitar during this period. Drummer Mike Nack and guitarist Dan Malsch joined the band in 1988, completing the final line-up of MYSTIC. In the spring of 1991, the band signed with an independent label to release the debut album. The band was playing a heavier and thrashier style of music at this time. The current label would recommend that the band change its moniker. The group would settle on WICKED MARAYA. The band's management proposed that death metal guru/producer Scott Burns (Cannibal Corpse, Gorguts). The now legendary Jim Morris (Savatage, Crimson Glory, Iced Earth) would produce the album. In July of that year, the band drove from New York to Tampa, FL, to the world-renowned Morrisound Recording Studio to record what would be WICKED MARAYA's debut, "Lifetime In Hell". However, the band would part ways with its label before, causing the album to be shelved. In May of 1992, WICKED MARAYA relocated to Los Angeles to showcase their talent on the West Coast. The band quickly became a force on the Sunset Strip. Their heavy/thrash/progressive style was a bit left of center from the usual acts found there, and their bombastic performances at The Whisky, The Roxy, and Gazzarri's had the Strip buzzing. However, despite the growing buzz, no record deal came their way. In November of 1992, Jim Morris flew out to L.A. to work with the band again and produce a 5-song demo. This reunion would begin the next phase of WICKED MARAYA. After completion of the demo, WICKED MARAYA returned to N.Y. and began to target the NYC area and Northeast region. Much to the band's surprise, a call came from Belgium label Mausoleum Records, which was opening a NYC office. WICKED MARAYA would sign a recording contract with the legendary heavy metal label. In November that year, the band and Morris were flown to Germany to begin recording the sophomore album "Cycles". The album, under the guidance of Morris, would be a moody, melodic and precisely crafted effort. In April 1994, "Cycles" was released to the European market. WICKED MARAYA then embarked on a highly successful tour of Europe in support of the release, opening for METAL CHURCH. The tour netted them a citation for "concert of the month" in Koln, Germany. 'Cycles' hit #1 on German album rock radio charts. It would also receive critical acclaim in such prestigious European magazines as Aardschok. In a reader's poll in the March 1995 issue of 'RockHard,' the band was voted #8 "best newcomers" out of 298 acts. A video for the single 'Another Day' was released nationally on Warner Bros. Rock Video Monthly. The video would also receive a lot of airplay on VIVA Television in Germany.
