Can hard rock and positive inspiration live under the same roof? Brooklyn, NY-based trio The Known, rise up to the challenge by creating an uplifting, melodic and hard-hitting sound both physically and spiritually. Their songs contemplate subject matter such as sacrifice, vanity, failures, hope, God, victory and the enemy both inside and out. Their mission is to be a confident and loud voice of hope for all who are faced daily with today’s unKnown. With a faith-filled battle cry, this rock band is standing up for the next decade, the next generation… the next chapter.The Next Chapter, The Known’s debut album, combines catchy crunchy detuned guitar riffs along side explosive groovy double bass drumming with memorable melodies to sing along to as well. Their captivating choruses are not just musically appealing but also ferocious. “The aggressiveness comes from a real place, but is turned into positivity,” explains guitarist, bassist and songwriter, Frank Sanyshyn.Produced entirely by drummer and Emmy Award-winning audio engineer, Dan Maier, The Next Chapter is an album that’s been over 3 years in the making.It all started in 2006 when Maier joined the band where Sanyshyn had been playing lead guitar. The two immediately collaborated on each other’s solo ideas and quickly realized their shared interests in heavy melodic rock music. “It was soon after that ‘The Known’ came to life”, says Maier. “Frank played the opening riff to ‘Back To You’ and we were on a roll with where we wanted to take this beast.” Countless hours were spent over the next few years perfecting that sound while becoming brothers who could lean on each other as well. “It’s not just the music,” says Sanyshyn. “It was a time of therapy for Dan and me to get away from it all and rock.” The two had come from their share of past life experiences, but turned that rollercoaster ride into a therapeutic collection of crushing instrumental songs.The Known then turned to friend and singer/songwriter Brian Parker to round out the duties. “I immediately had ideas for this music as soon as I heard it and couldn’t wait to get in the studio with the guys,” recalls Parker. “Face To Face” was the first track completed with Parker handling the vocals and definitely set the unique tone for the band. It wasn’t long before the rest of the album had been written, re-worked and perfected to what it is today.When it came time to record and mix the album, it was a no brainier. Maier had already been a successful audio engineer and producer. With the work he has done in his television career and the production company he founded, 5G Productions (Mr. Cheeks, Gym Class Heroes, Hall & Oates), he had already given himself a name in the underground urban music scene. “This project and sound is what I had always wanted to do and this was my chance, so I jumped in head first”, exclaims Maier. This producer shines not only on the demanding drumming, but on the nuance of programming, production and mixing as well.Add in the guitar riffs that are hard-hitting but seem familiar and inviting, not to mention Parker’s vocals which scream and sing with an energetic and heartfelt connectivity, and you have an album that’s both personal yet universal.If you could take one big melting pot and stir together the influences of Skillet, Anberlin, Red, Decyfer Down, Pillar and Breaking Benjamin to name a few, you would begin to taste the recipe for The Known.Dan Maier has been drumming since the age of 2, and over the years, this self-taught musician would lock himself in the basement playing along to the albums of the bands he pretended to be apart of, including Genesis, The Police, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, 311 and The Dave Matthews Band. After finishing up college with a degree in music production, he hit the road to tour the country on the Warped Tour. From there he settled in New York City and began a successful career as an audio engineer and producer, winning an Emmy Award in 2010. He is currently a worship leader and drummer for his church in New York City.Frank Sanyshyn grew up listening to KISS and studying their every move. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he not only shreds the guitar with ease, but also rocks the bass and tickles the ivories as well. Playing in bands since he was a teenager, this bodybuilder finally decided to flex his muscle by writing his own songs. Add to his influences the music of Mötley Crüe, Zakk Wylde, Van Halen, Black Label Society, Gin Blossoms and The Goo Goo Dolls and you’ll hear how Sanyshyn combines his unique blend inspiration to write music that is straight from the heart with a heavy edge. The son of a preacher, this songwriter has a heart for ministering to the lost and broken with his talents.Brian Parker is a worship leader turned rocker. Having spent years leading congregations in acoustic worship music, he never let go or forgot his childhood rock roots listening to the likes of Smashing Pumpkins, Candlebox, Live and Stone Temple Pilots. Hailing from California, Parker adds his raw emotion, personality and passion using poetically-crafted lyrics that give even his grunge-era heroes a run for their money. His carefully constructed words are not only crafty, witty and smart, but also give the audience something else to chew on: a sub layer of personal honest examination together with careful Biblical examination.The Known aren’t just hearers and preachers of the Word, but also doers as well. That’s why they donate a portion of every dollar they make towards charitable causes. You see, for them it’s about serving and being part of a community. “We’re here to make a big loud difference and serve” says Maier, “in any way that we can be used.”And they’ll keep turning up the volume until you notice.