His first band was Orcrist, which included future members of Epidemia, Ilya Knyazev and Roman Zakharov.

In 2004 the group, in collaboration with other well-known Russian singers – Arthur Berkut (Aria), Lexx (Master), Andrey Lobashev (Arida Vortex), Cyril Nemolyaev (Boney NEM), Dmitry Borisenkov (Black Obelisk) – recorded Russia's first metal opera, Elven Manuscript, where Max played the role of Desmond, a half-elf.

In 2006 Samosvat participated in the recording of Master – "On the other side of sleep" in the project Margenta on the verses Margarita Pushkina.

Maxim song "Za granyu" Samosvat also participated in the recording of the band's albums Everlost – Noise Factory and Hatecraft – Lost Consolation.

This record also featured famous names: those already involved in the first part of the metal opera (Berkut, Lobashev, Borisenkov and Nemolyaev) were joined by Mikhayl Seryshev (ex-Master), Konstantin Rumyantsev (Troll Gnet El) Ekaterina Belobrova (The Teachers), Eugeny Egorov (Epidemia).