Although best known as the lead singer of his eponymous progressive metal band Kozen, the multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter-producer Maxwell Kozen has played many roles over the course of his career. After stating his Metal and Alternative Rock influences as a solo artist only briefly in the early 2010's with his EPs Exit Flesh (re-released in 2022) and No Orphan, Max began carving out a niche for himself as a solo artist in the early 2020's. He has recently become the lead singer of Manchester, UK-based math rock band Origami Tsunami.

Aside from that, his most prominent non-metal work had been in the realms of Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music. Max was a founding member of OVF Worship and played for years with the versatile worship group alongside several former Kozen members.

As a live session musician he has played guitar for artists like American Indie Alternative singer-songwriter Michelle Odinma, Kenyan-born and Toronto based Afro-R&B singer Shy Musiq, and South African gospel singer Zaza Mokhethi. From his home studio, he has contributed to recordings by hip-hop artists like Rayto, Chikondiman, and Kavale, and is a frequent collaborator and YouTube creator alongside Bahamian R&B artist Evin Nazya through their joint project “Passionfroot.”

Perhaps the most essential part of Max's musical upbringing was Toronto itself. The diversity of the city lent itself to a myriad of different experiences that would shape Max into an artist with a well-rounded experience beyond most musicians his age. While many hours were poured into writing Progressive Metal and other Rock material, Max spent just as much time supporting local R&B and Hip-Hop artists in the city as a session guitarist, and playing Gospel music at church. These connections would eventually gain Max experience playing Reggae, Calypso, Ska, Funk, and more. 

After high school, Max took a year off school to intern at Bunker 8 Digital Labs in Toronto where he learned the ins and outs of modern electronic music production - working on Industrial, Hip-Hop, and EDM projects. During College, he took some classical voice lessons, worked alongside classical musicians as a drummer and percussionist for the Durham Adventist Choir, and also spent time honing his skills as a church worship leader. 

Max has worn multiple hats over the course of his music journey: guitar teacher, band member, producer, mixer, live and recorded session musician, songwriter, blogger/music writer, and church music director. Learning to appreciate music from so many different angles has allowed him to become a versatile and adaptable collaborator in most any musical context.

Blending technical musicianship with an earnest and pure singing voice, Max's surprisingly approachable persona makes him an effective ambassador between vastly different musical worlds. A decade past his first solo venture, Maxwell Kozen's artistic identity is finally emerging in full.