Review by Saxy S for Intervals - Memory Palace (2024)
Intervals might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of djent-y progressive metal, but it's about time that you change that. Djent as a concept is never going to fully be embraced by most since it relies heavily on technical rhythmic patterns and, usually, lacking in any kind of melodic device to hold a song/album together. Intervals are a band trying to fill in that niche and they succeed mostly with their newest album, Memory Palace. The eight (8) new tracks have a very simplistic foundation, and that allows the listener to really focus in on the pin point precision between the guitars, percussion and bass. Guitar leads are varied, but do retain many of their core values to keep songs like "Mnemonic" and "Nootropic" sounding fresh throughout. The song themselves are not progressive wank fests, where the instrumentalists wail freely; guitar solos are tasteful with variety to really accentuate dynamics and growth as Aaron Marshall shows off their technical prowess.
Where the album falters has to do with the production and compositions. Fist, the production is lacking in a low end. Intervals do have a really nice synth lead such as on "Side Quest," but the bass is heavily lacking, since in this style of music, rhythm guitar simply duplicates whatever the bass is doing anyway, so bass can get lost in the shuffle very quickly. Also, even though songs are solid on their own, Memory Palace as a whole stays in a very comfortable key/tempo range throughout the runtime, meaning that the album can start to feel rather redundant about halfway through. Fortunately for Intervals, this is somewhat negated by the record having a nice brisk runtime; at just under forty (40) minutes, once you start noticing these repetitive tropes, Memory Palace is over.
Otherwise, it's a really good starter album for approaching Djent and Intervals in general. I still would not consider their best record so long as The Shape of Colour exists, but the musicianship is really well put together, even despite some personal quibbles.
Best Songs: Mnemonic, Nootropic, Side Quest, Chronophobia