Into the Unknown
Encyclopedia
Into the Unknown is the second studio album by Bad Religion
, which was released on November 30, 1983. The album marks a distinct departure from the band's previous album; instead of featuring hardcore punk
, the album is characterized by slower tempos, use of electric organ
and piano
s, and a prog
-influenced hard rock
sound.
Into the Unknown proved to be the band's most controversial release; despite favorable reviews from music critics, it was a commercial failure upon initial release, and was characterized as a "misstep" by guitarist Brett Gurewitz
. It was not reissued in any format until 2010, when it was issued on vinyl as part of the box set 30 Years of Bad Religion.
website, stating that the album was quickly produced after the release of the band's debut, How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
, because the band didn't take itself seriously and didn't think it would last very long, despite the success of their debut and popularity on the underground music
scene. Gurewitz said that "not much thought" was put into the album's production. Drummer Pete Finestone
and bass player Jay Bentley
quit the band as the result of the change in musical style. Bad Religion hired producer Tom Wilson to collaborate with the band during the album's production.
before getting into punk rock
, and wanted to record an album reflecting a prog and avant-garde influence. The album is characterized by slower tempos and use of electric organ
and piano
-driven melody.
Robert Christgau
's review of Into the Unknown was more favorable than that of How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
, which received a B rating, whereas Into the Unknown was given a A- rating. Christgau wrote, "I find myself moved by its anthemic ambition--and achievement." John Dougan of Allmusic says that Into the Unknown is "a bit off-putting at first blush, mainly because the tempos are slower and more deliberate, and because of the use of swirling organs and pianos", while he calls it a "terrific record that was perhaps more daring than anyone realized at the time of its release."
.
Greg Graffin
recalls that the band only performed material from this album once when it was released; when Bad Religion premiered the material live, poor word of mouth alienated fans, and only 12 people turned out for the concert, because fans had learned that the band was going to bring keyboards on stage; the poor turnout for this performance convinced the band not to bring keyboards on tour with them, and to return to its hardcore punk
sound. In October 2010, the band performed "Billy Gnosis", the first time in 27 years that Bad Religion had performed any songs from the album in concert. In December, the band released the vinyl box set 30 Years of Bad Religion, which reissued all 15 of the band's LPs, including Into the Unknown. The band's website offers commentaries from Greg Graffin
and Brett Gurewitz.
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
, which was released on November 30, 1983. The album marks a distinct departure from the band's previous album; instead of featuring hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
, the album is characterized by slower tempos, use of electric organ
Electric organ
In biology, the electric organ is an organ common to all electric fish used for the purposes of creating an electric field. The electric organ is derived from modified nerve or muscle tissue...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
s, and a prog
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
-influenced hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
sound.
Into the Unknown proved to be the band's most controversial release; despite favorable reviews from music critics, it was a commercial failure upon initial release, and was characterized as a "misstep" by guitarist Brett Gurewitz
Brett Gurewitz
Brett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
. It was not reissued in any format until 2010, when it was issued on vinyl as part of the box set 30 Years of Bad Religion.
Production
Gurewitz commented on the album's production on the official Bad ReligionBad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
website, stating that the album was quickly produced after the release of the band's debut, How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
How Could Hell Be Any Worse? is the first full-length album released by influential punk band Bad Religion, which was released on June 1, 1981. Released months after the release of their self-titled EP, it was financed by a $1,000 loan by guitarist Brett Gurewitz's father. Its success surprised the...
, because the band didn't take itself seriously and didn't think it would last very long, despite the success of their debut and popularity on the underground music
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
scene. Gurewitz said that "not much thought" was put into the album's production. Drummer Pete Finestone
Pete Finestone
Pete Finestone was the second drummer of the punk rock band Bad Religion. He played in the band in 1981-1982 and again from 1984 to 1991....
and bass player Jay Bentley
Jay Bentley
Jay Dee Bentley is the bassist and co-founding member of the punk rock group Bad Religion. He has played with the band through its whole existence with a small break between 1983 and 1985.-Bad Religion:...
quit the band as the result of the change in musical style. Bad Religion hired producer Tom Wilson to collaborate with the band during the album's production.
Musical style and influences
Gurewitz and the other band members were very much into progressive rockProgressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
before getting into punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, and wanted to record an album reflecting a prog and avant-garde influence. The album is characterized by slower tempos and use of electric organ
Electric organ
In biology, the electric organ is an organ common to all electric fish used for the purposes of creating an electric field. The electric organ is derived from modified nerve or muscle tissue...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
-driven melody.
Reception
Because of the band's success, they produced more copies of this album than they had of their debut; all of them were returned to the factory. Gurewitz joked about having "[sent out] ten thousand copies and [getting] eleven thousand back."Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
's review of Into the Unknown was more favorable than that of How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
How Could Hell Be Any Worse?
How Could Hell Be Any Worse? is the first full-length album released by influential punk band Bad Religion, which was released on June 1, 1981. Released months after the release of their self-titled EP, it was financed by a $1,000 loan by guitarist Brett Gurewitz's father. Its success surprised the...
, which received a B rating, whereas Into the Unknown was given a A- rating. Christgau wrote, "I find myself moved by its anthemic ambition--and achievement." John Dougan of Allmusic says that Into the Unknown is "a bit off-putting at first blush, mainly because the tempos are slower and more deliberate, and because of the use of swirling organs and pianos", while he calls it a "terrific record that was perhaps more daring than anyone realized at the time of its release."
Legacy
Into the Unknown is Bad Religion's most controversial release. The band broke up after the album's release, but reformed in 1985. Gurewitz characterized the album as a "terrible misstep". It has never been issued on compact discCompact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
.
Greg Graffin
Greg Graffin
Gregory Walter Graffin, Ph.D. is an American punk rock musician, college professor, and author. He is most recognized as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the noted Los Angeles band Bad Religion, which he co-founded in 1979 and is the band's only constant member, even though it now features two...
recalls that the band only performed material from this album once when it was released; when Bad Religion premiered the material live, poor word of mouth alienated fans, and only 12 people turned out for the concert, because fans had learned that the band was going to bring keyboards on stage; the poor turnout for this performance convinced the band not to bring keyboards on tour with them, and to return to its hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
sound. In October 2010, the band performed "Billy Gnosis", the first time in 27 years that Bad Religion had performed any songs from the album in concert. In December, the band released the vinyl box set 30 Years of Bad Religion, which reissued all 15 of the band's LPs, including Into the Unknown. The band's website offers commentaries from Greg Graffin
Greg Graffin
Gregory Walter Graffin, Ph.D. is an American punk rock musician, college professor, and author. He is most recognized as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the noted Los Angeles band Bad Religion, which he co-founded in 1979 and is the band's only constant member, even though it now features two...
and Brett Gurewitz.
Track listing
Personnel
- Greg GraffinGreg GraffinGregory Walter Graffin, Ph.D. is an American punk rock musician, college professor, and author. He is most recognized as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the noted Los Angeles band Bad Religion, which he co-founded in 1979 and is the band's only constant member, even though it now features two...
- vocals, synthesizer, piano, acoustic guitar, production - Brett GurewitzBrett GurewitzBrett W. Gurewitz , nicknamed Mr. Brett, is the guitarist and a songwriter of Bad Religion. He is also the owner of the music label Epitaph Records and sister-labels ANTI-, Burning Heart Records, Fat Possum Records, and Hellcat Records...
- electric guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, production - Paul DedonaPaul DedonaPaul Dedona was a bass guitar player of the California punk pioneers Bad Religion. He was born on April 24, 1960 in Sherman Oaks, California. He stayed in the band between late 1982 and early 1984 and his only appearance was on their second album Into the Unknown...
- bass guitar - Davy Goldman - drums
- Jim Mankey - engineering