Anna & Josh Tell All! Australia’s Symphonic Metal Sensation ANA Revealed!

ANA are a newly formed metal band from Melbourne, Australia, created in 2023. They belong to the symphonic metal scene, with elements of progressive and cinematic metal.

They are one of the so-called female-fronted bands, meaning that a female vocalist is the central figure of the group.

The band stands out by combining heavy guitar-driven sound with orchestral and symphonic elements, placing great emphasis on the voice of Anna Hristenko. Their music is described as mysterious, emotional, and powerful.

ANA are not just a band…
They have a complete concept, with an image shaped by strong aesthetic elements (fashion + metal).

They have created a comic book featuring characters based on the band members.
They also use a theatrical / superhero identity, which clearly positions them more as an “art project” rather than a conventional band.

The members are: Anna Hristenko – vocals, Josh Mak – guitar, Cody Lamb – bass, Mark Shi – keyboards, and Cleveland Beckford Gonzalez – drums.

Their discography includes the singles Sirens, Moth, Scars, and Ouroboros, the EP The Art of Letting Go (2024), and the full-length album Motivated By Death (2026).
ANA are a new but ambitious symphonic metal band, with a strong artistic identity and, as their main “weapon,” the voice of Anna Hristenko.

INTERVIEW WITH … ANNA HRISTENKO.

Athenscalling.gr: Welcome to Athenscalling my dear Anna and we are very happy to have the opportunity to chat about you and the band.

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. We’d love to come perform in your beautiful country some day.

Athenscalling.gr: How did your journey in music begin, and what led you to become a member of ANA Band?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): I began singing at a very young age. I think I was around 7. All through my school years I took lessons and performed at every chance I got. When I was 15 I enrolled and graduated from opera college. This lay the foundation of my style and discipline. However, I always loved Pop music and the energy that came from Metal.

After college I lived and performed in cover bands in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. It was fun but I always desired to create my own music.

Josh and I started ANA 3 years ago and combined our individual styles, we then searched for the band we needed to bring our vision to life.

Athenscalling.gr: Who are your main influences as a vocalist, and how do they shape your sound?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): I have many influences and they are pretty diverse. I love singers like Celine Dion, Lara Fabian and Amy Lee (Evanescence). But I also love Loboda who I grew up listening to.

Athenscalling.gr: How do you approach interpreting a song—do you follow a specific process or emotion?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): It usually starts with an emotion or a memory. The feel is very important to me and that helps decide what the song will be.

Athenscalling.gr: What has been the most powerful moment you’ve experienced on stage with ANA Band?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): Opening for BattleBeast at legendary Melbourne venue, Max Watts was pretty incredible. Usually not many people come see the opening act but the venue was nearly full and several fans came up to me to say they came to see us. That was a very special moment.

Athenscalling.gr: What would you like your audience to feel when they listen to your voice?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): It is my desire that my voice makes them feel. Be it inspiration, solace, joy or acceptance. We may be miles apart and may never meet but through these songs we are connected.

Athenscalling.gr: Living in the past…Do you remember the first album you ever bought?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): When I was growing up we didn’t have record stores in our village and western music was not easily available. The first cd I had was a compilation that had songs on it like Freestyler by Bombfunk MC, Butterfly by Crazytown and Breathe by The Prodigy.

Athenscalling.gr: Thank you Anna for the interview … and the last questions… Your stage presence is particularly striking—how do you think your image contributes to your artistic identity?

Anna Hristenko (ANA Band): To me image and fashion are another medium for me to express myself as an artist. I care deeply about doing my best and presenting all that I do and am to the highest of my abilities because I believe that’s what the fans deserve.

INTERVIEW WITH … JOSH MAK.

Athenscalling.gr: Welcome to Athenscalling and we are delighted to have the opportunity to chat with JOSH MAK,the magical guitarist and his band!

Josh Mak (ANA Band): Γεια σου! Thank you for your kind words. It’s a pleasure to chat with you.

Athenscalling.gr: When and how did you start playing guitar, and which guitarists have influenced you the most?

Josh Mak (ANA Band): I began playing guitar at the age of 12. The first band that made me want to pick up the guitar was Oasis. They are still one of my all time favourite bands and I really admire their song writing. As for guitarists that influenced me… there’s too many to mention but I’ll say Matthias Jabs (Scorpions), Björn Gelotte (In Flames), Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Buddy Guy.

Athenscalling.gr: How do you contribute to the songwriting process of ANA Band?

Josh Mak (ANA Band): I work together with Anna to first understand what she wants a song to be about and the vocal melody she has in mind. Once there is a skeleton of a song there we jam with the full band and improvise ideas. We actually wrote and arranged our album, Motivated by Death in 2 days at a rehearsal studio.

Athenscalling.gr: What kind of gear (guitars, amps, effects) do you prefer and why?

Josh Mak (ANA Band): I use and endorse Ormsby Guitars. They make incredible instruments of the highest quality and the owner Perry Ormsby is so knowledgeable, talented and a good friend. We worked on ideas together to bring my custom Golden Dragon guitar to life and it’s honestly the best guitar I’ve ever played. For amps and effects I usually use a Quad Cortex and a Morley Wah. However, whenever possible I prefer using a tube amp. My favourite brands and models that I use are

Marshall JCM 900
Marshall DSL 2000
Friedman BE 100
Mesa Boogie JP2C
Victory V40 The Duchess

Athenscalling.gr: How do you adapt your playing to complement Anna Hristenko’s vocals?

Josh Mak (ANA Band): Both the vocals and guitar are there to tell a story. Whenever I play I think about what can I do that best represents the meaning of this song. It’s like a musical conversation between us.

Athenscalling.gr: Is there a song by the band that you find particularly challenging, either technically or emotionally?

Josh Mak (ANA Band): Hate Me is probably the most obviously technical song on the album but You Loved Me More, to me is a more challenging song due to its stripped back nature and the nuances in it.

Athenscalling.gr: Living in the past … Do you remember the first album you ever bought?

Josh Mak (ANA Band): Hmm it was either Dream Lover by Mariah Carey or Michael Learns to Rock’s greatest hits.

Athenscalling.gr: And the last one… Please Josh send your message on Planet Earth.

Josh Mak (ANA Band): Fellow Earthlings, all of us are here for a very short time. A lot of the things that we fret over are less important than we think at the end of the day. Whatever it may be that you desire, try it – we all only get one life. I wouldn’t want to reach the end and wonder, “what if?”.