'With Intent' was one of the first tracks we wrote for 'Court Of Conscience' and it is also one of my favourites to play live, so it seems fitting to explain it a little more.

Unlike some bands, all the members of Winter In Eden contribute to the writing process but the initial idea can come from any one of us. In this case, it came together really quickly with Sam hammering out a guitar riff and Steve J (keys) soon had a counter melody floating over the top. At the time, it kind of resembled the theme tune from an old children's TV show that aired in the UK and as such, the song quickly earned a working title of the same name. Incidentally, we are already writing for the next album and have another track with the same working title � that TV show must have been a major influence on all of us for some unknown reason!!

Anyway, back on topic � as the track developed the arrangements changed slightly (as they often do) but Vicky had the vocal melody nailed and already knew what the lyrics would be about. 'With Intent' is all about a stalker! Most of the time, when people think of stalkers they think of male stalking female but it could easily be the other way too. It could be someone who's known to you, someone you may have had a relationship with or a total stranger. We wanted the track to musically demonstrate both the light and the dark, the innocent and the sinister side of stalker and victim. Luckily for us, Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation) who produced the album, had some great ideas to make the heavy middle eight section sound aggressive and dark to contrast with the lighter, more up-beat chorus. Vicky also likes to make her lyrics slightly ambiguous, rather than to lay it all out. So you'll need to listen and make up your own mind as to who the stalker is.

The video which accompanies the track, depicts a young girl being stalked by ghostly figures after she finds a pocket watch, but is that really who this track is about? Or is there another, more down-to-earth but equally unfavourable meaning?