Tag: intervals (Page 1 of 2)

So here we have another Intervals release from my collection. This is release #3, and by now the band is an Aaron Marshall solo vehicle. This version is another awesome pressing from those good people over at Sheet Happens.

I’m a huge guitar instrumental fan and seeing that genre explode since Satriani and Vai first appeared on the scene has been amazing. It’s not only the guitar music that has progressed, but the drummers have grown just has much, creating way more possibilities with the grooves they create. Nathan Bulla, the drummer on this release, is just freaking awesome giving Aaron that path to let the notes and melody fly.

This is classed as Prog metal but the fusion tag hangs high over a lot of the music. By Far And Away is a perfect example, as the technicality mixed with the melody and groove is just superb.

A very enjoyable record as are all Intervals’ releases.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

It’s great to see the upturn in interest of Intervals. They are getting endorsement from Wolfgang Van Halen with a support slot on some of his headline shows.

This is album number five for the band and Aaron Marshall has knocked it way out of the park on this one. Super cool use of keys, samples, sound design, and programming alongside the heavy grooves and Aaron’s killer playing. I love every second of this masterpiece and I have probably played this more than any other album in a long while.

Mnemonic has to be one of the best tunes I have heard in forever. It’s like listening to a dance song but for metal tech kids. The grooves and rhythms are just epic and the playing is so melodic but insanely good. Galaxy Brain is very similar but with added depth and chunk to the mix. I was trying to get my head around this whole concept of Memory Palace and the thing that keeps popping into my head is “if music was a video game.” Not sure if that makes sense, but it’s the best my aging brain can do.

Go and listen to this on iTunes or Spotify and then go and buy a physical copy from those nice people at Sheet Happens. It will be the best decision you will make this year.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

This is one of the early EP releases from Intervals in 2012. It’s just 5 tracks of djenty Prog metal grooves from the brain of Aaron Marshall. The band’s sound has moved on massively since this release and a lot of that really low end grunt has gone. So, if you are a lover of supreme low end grooves then this release should be high on your list.

Of the five songs here I really do like them all but my favourite of the bunch is the final track Epiphany. It’s more laid back than the others (at the start anyway) but the grooves are so cool and the lead playing is just beautiful.

I love most things that Aaron Marshall puts out and this another gem.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

After the release of their first album (A Voice Within in 2014), everyone apart from main man and killer guitarist Aaron Marshall, left the band. This is the follow up record, The Shapes Of Colour.

If you’re a fan of instrumental prog metal with emphasis on the geeeetar then you will love this. He is joined on drums by the amazing Travis Orbin who was in Periphery early on. I love everything about this album, especially the way Aaron does not lose the sense of melody in his playing and doesn’t just throw notes to impress.

Fable is just a superb piece of music with so much groove to the playing, and adding the sax is just genius. It’s one of my favourite Intervals pieces. Black Box is just insane. Super fast playing with the eye always on the melody, and the added heavy riffage is just great to the ears.

If you’re a prog metal fan who loves well crafted instrumentals, or your are a guitar nut, you will love this.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.