What inspired the name of the band? What are your influences and are they the same as when you started out?
The band name, Into the Unknown, basically came about because originally we didn’t plan to be a band. Ryan and myself, along with our original singer Lucie got together to record a couple of songs, which lead into writing and recording more, and then realising that we had enough to actually release an album. Into the Unknown seemed appropriate because we didn’t have any plans, aspirations or ideas for what was coming!
Our influences are very varied and diverse, from Nightwish, Within Temptation and the whole Symphonic Rock scene, through ACDC, Guns N Roses, to Lordi, Gwar and Ghost right through to Adele, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga!
how do you approach songwriting?
For us, we possibly write a little strangely. We very rarely write as a band, don’t usually write in rehearsals, but each band member brings their own ideas into the studio. Someone might bring in a riff, a chorus, a lyric, or a whole song, which the rest of us take away and add to it, or change it completely! I can honestly say that we don’t have a single song that has turned out the way that the originator envisaged it, but always so much better! As for themes, no, we don’t really have any set ideas when we start. It all depends on how each of us is feeling when we write, and so hopefully this ends up with a diverse set of songs, we don’t have a formula for writing, and so we end up with some very different songs (but hopefully all with our own sound)
how do you approach songwriting?
For us, we possibly write a little strangely. We very rarely write as a band, don’t usually write in rehearsals, but each band member brings their own ideas into the studio. Someone might bring in a riff, a chorus, a lyric, or a whole song, which the rest of us take away and add to it, or change it completely! I can honestly say that we don’t have a single song that has turned out the way that the originator envisaged it, but always so much better! As for themes, no, we don’t really have any set ideas when we start. It all depends on how each of us is feeling when we write, and so hopefully this ends up with a diverse set of songs, we don’t have a formula for writing, and so we end up with some very different songs (but hopefully all with our own sound)
Why?
Purely because we like it. We write music that we would like to hear, and if other people like it too, then that’s a bonus. Personally, I love orchestrating the songs, so that we can add nuances and subtlety to the songs.
Live?
Its usually decided by band members saying that they would like to do them! We do bear in mind which songs appear to be the more popular with the listeners, and that can be an influence (although we don’t play the song that streams the most!). Some of the songs may not work particularly well in a live setting, especially in shorter sets (such as Demons & Angels … its surprised us how popular that is, but its 13 minutes long!). We do have the orchestration on backing track, as we cannot go out with the orchestra to play, so that needs considering too. That said, we do also strip the songs down for an acoustic set.
Live?
Its usually decided by band members saying that they would like to do them! We do bear in mind which songs appear to be the more popular with the listeners, and that can be an influence (although we don’t play the song that streams the most!). Some of the songs may not work particularly well in a live setting, especially in shorter sets (such as Demons & Angels … its surprised us how popular that is, but its 13 minutes long!). We do have the orchestration on backing track, as we cannot go out with the orchestra to play, so that needs considering too. That said, we do also strip the songs down for an acoustic set.
What plans do you have for the future?
We’ve just released our new covers album “The Other Side of the Wall, Part 2”, and we are currently in the studio finishing the recording of our new album. We are maybe 75-80% done on the writing/recording on that, and hope that it will be released in early/mid 2025. We are really excited about this, its our third full album (not counting our 2 digital covers albums) and its also the first album with our new expanded lineup, and new singer.
We also hope to get out and do some shows next year to support the new album.
Please check out the music:
www.facebook/ITUUKVigilante
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXxDhKyf4YPRqR6hHZIFqw
Instagram Into_the_unknown_band
Video link for the new single https://youtu.be/aUe1E18bEH0