Innervein, Progressive Metal Band Talks About Inspiration and New Music Coming Soon
Massachusetts-based prog band, Innervein is set to release new music in 2024. The band is known for creating a unique blend of progressive metal, alternative metal, and grunge, which offers fans a unique new take on progressive music. The band’s most recent release, “Seize of Change” offers the listener a musical journey, pulling influence from genres such as djent, prog, and thrash. The song has the perfect smooth melody, and puts the vocals at the front, allowing the melody to blend into the lyrics, sending the listeners to go on an emotional journey with the song. The band’s first release, “Valley of the Kings” hit over 10k listens on Spotify, a huge accomplishment for the newer prog band. “Valley of Kings” is a song that features a wide array of instrumental styles, displaying the vocalist’s strong beautifully raw vocal styles. Innervein plans to release more music, including a full-length album, soon. More about the band and their upcoming music in the interview below.
Can you tell us about the origin of the band and how it reflects your music or identity as a group?
The band initially started in my bedroom in late 2020, and by "band," I mean me, my guitar, and programmed instruments. I was aspiring to make heavy instrumental prog music, focused on guitar. Then I realized that if I wanted to play out live, I would need more than myself. I met my now drummer Ethan Lane through acquaintances in the music scene, and he really was into the same music as I was. So, for about a year, we played and worked on original music together, and it took a lot of work to find a bassist and rhythm guitarist who was into the same type of eclectic music. Luckily, we found our current bassist, Jonathan Bankston, and guitarist, Logan Emerson, through social media. Funny enough, they were both really good friends trying to create a band as well. So all four of us got together and started playing, and the chemistry between all of us was very natural, and we got along well. The most significant change for the band and myself was adding the vocal element because, as much as I am an aspiring solo guitar player, I found singing something I secretly enjoyed and was doing in my free time. So when I started doing both, as a band, we saw another avenue of music we could make, catering to listeners who love heavy music with vocals and instrumentals.
What genres or styles of music influence your sound the most, and how do you incorporate those influences into your songs?
The “eclectic” music styles I enjoy are Progressive metal, Alternative, Goth rock, grunge, and world music. But I would also like to say my style of music is very broad, from Jazz fusion to Death Metal. A through Z. Having such an optimistic pallet of music allows me to incorporate so much that it allows me to have total freedom when creating songs. I love diversity in music.
Are there any particular artists or bands that have had a significant influence on your music or have inspired you along the way?
There are plenty of bands that inspire the band and me, but a handful are Dream Theater, Tool, Plini, Animals as Leaders, Type O Negative, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Pantera, L Shankar, and Steve Vai. It can go on and on.
Can you walk me through your songwriting process? How do you typically collaborate on creating music?
Lyrically, I will typically write quotes, phrases, poems, or even certain words down on a notepad that I resonate with, and I can then write lyrics to certain topics. Musically, it can start as a simple riff or an emotion I want to convey and then evolve into something more complex-sounding, and I will show the guys a rough idea of it. We are a democracy when we get down to creating; we all pitch in ideas; it's an open table.
How has the band evolved since its formation, both musically and personally?
The band evolved a bit more from being a strictly “instrumental” band into a blend of lyrical and instrumental. We are more aware of what we can serve to each track. Personally, we have gotten a lot closer and more open to what can work and what may not, sonically and aesthetically.
How do you approach live performances, and what do you hope your audience takes away from your shows?
Live, we want to be as raw and emotionally invested in each song we play as possible. Most of all, we want to just have fun and give justice to each tune. We want the audience to just have a good time and let loose. It's all about releasing any emotion you have within, whether pain, sadness, joy, etc.
What has been the most memorable or rewarding moment in Innervein’s journey so far?
It was very rewarding for us to hit over 10,000 streams on our first single, “Valley of the Kings.” Another great moment was playing at the Worcester Palladium in Worcester, MA. For us Massachusetts boys, it was an honor and a great experience.
Can you tell me about any upcoming projects or releases that fans can look forward to?
Yes, we have another single in the works, and it will be released soon. We are also planning to have a full-length album out by early next year, and we cannot wait for the audience to hear it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am very grateful for the fans who enjoy Innervein's music and what we stand for. New music will be coming out soon, and be on the lookout for our first full-length album; you can find us on all social media and all streaming platforms! Lastly, being in a young and hungry band in this day and age can be very daunting, but it is all about persevering and accepting the hardship that happens and will happen with it. As a band, we are all aware of that, and it's the most valuable piece of the puzzle on this path. Most of all, we deeply love the music we make, and it all comes down to just that. It would never change in any circumstance. I love creating and playing music, even if I am in my bedroom again with only my guitars and programmed instruments.
