Aaron Marshall, the Canadian guitar genius behind intervals, is back with album number five of his trademark shredding, and if that’s enough to make all but the guitar nerds run to the hills normally, then it shouldn’t be here.
“neurogenesis” a collaboration with KOAN sound, is typical of “memory palace” (he might be a genius but he doesn’t like capital letters) in that it is warm and welcoming to everyone.
That’s because drummer Nathan Bulla, bassist Jacob Mansky, and guitarist Travis LeVrier also ensure a band feel to this. The drums on “mnemonic” are rapid-fire metal, and the slower, more jazz ones like “galaxy brain” [feat. J3PO] are interesting too.
“side quest” [feat. Evan Marien] adds a bit of a modern prog crunch, but unlike some of that stuff, it sounds as if they’re all having fun. The keyboards are interesting too.
But then, whatever this does, be it the energetic “circuit bender” or the disorienting heaviness of “chronophobia” – the longest and perhaps, most textured thing here – it is never less than compelling.
One of the reasons for MV’s existence is that I loved an Animals As Leaders gig so much that having bored my mate with it he said: “Why don’t you start a blog and review gigs.” That was in 2010. In 2024, along comes “memory palace” to, well, remind me really.
Appropriate.
Whatever, whether you can play the guitar, or like me, couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, intervals give you so much to enjoy.
Rating 9/10
