The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest has been quite the interesting affair noting that there are up to two entries which have been touted as definite qualifiers leaving the rest of the field somewhat open. As always, there will be a number of surprises because the audience on the actual night and the previous evening would have done their deed in voting for what they see as absolutely striking. The fifteenth entry is the second showcase is featuring the unlikely Slovakia who will be represented by one of their most popular stars who has decided to use the new stage name of Max Jason Mai for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song that he will be presenting to the audience is entitled Don't Close Your Eyes, one which he wrote by himself in terms of both music and lyrics.

Max Jason Mai is a rock musician, singer-songwriter and rhythm guitarist born on November 27th, 1988 in Slovakia. He believes that music can and should change the world, he loves people with a sense of humour and the good things in life. Be they music, sports, yoga, love, or nature. He reveres all living beings, that’s why he’s vegetarian and he doesn’t wear clothes made from leather, as he wouldn’t want to be a handbag either. MJM is influenced by a wide range of artists of several genres, especially rock, for example Led Zeppelin, Whitesnake, Alter Bridge, 30 Seconds To Mars, Dream Theater, Metallica, John Mayer, Enigma, Sade, Ennio Morricone, Antonin Dvorak. He recorded his song for ESC 2012 and his first single Don’t Close Your Eyes with the American record producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette.

The Critics Voice Their Opinion

Magnus Kaxe

• Metal! Double kick drums and fast bpm! Energetic verses and a sing-along-chorus sung by a great singer. Great music production. I love it and will therefore give this eight (8) points.

Marion Welter

• This is the typical opposite of what is normally sent to the Eurovision Song Contest as it features what seems to be Gothic Rock which is very different. It is a tough song but still I like it maybe not fully in this context hence why I decided to be very close and give the track five (5) points.

Tobias Larsson

• One of the best ballads in the line-up, leaving you wonder how tiny Estonia can come up with so many really good songs. Very good singing, powerful and controlled at the same time, complete with very soft and tender lyrics. I would like to award this nine (9) points in total as they are fully deserved even for originality. 

Entry Background 

Performer: Max Jason Mai 

Composer: Max Jason Mai 

Author: Max Jason Mai 

Song: Don't Close Your Eyes

Language: English

Broadcaster: STV

History of the Nation

This years marks the seventh appearance of Slovakia at the Eurovision Song Contest having first entered way back in 1994 when a disappointing result would see them leave the competition for a year before returning in the following year, 1995 with a track which would eventually obtain a better yet still negative result. This would ultimately be a trend for the country who left the competition completely after the 1998 edition deciding only to return in 2009 when the duet made up of Kamil Mikulčík and Nela Pocisková sang the song Let' Tmou to only receive eight points. Their most positive result came last year, obtaining almost fifty (50) points with the song I'm Still Alive performed by the TWiiNS finishing in thirteenth place in the semi-final.

Source: Eurovision.tv for the Biographical Information and all respective media