“I gravitate more towards Victor Wooten than the straight-up shredding of Billy Sheehan, but I’ve ripped pages from both books”: Jacob Umansky unpacks the origins of his cutting-edge slap technique

Jacob Umansky onstage with Intervals.

Based on mighty riffs from guitarist Aaron Marshall and the bass guitar manoeuvres of Jacob Umansky, Canadian progressive metal band Intervals remain among the hardest-hitting around, especially on their upcoming record, Memory Place. The album is of particular interest to bass players – because the low-end is all over it.

“This is the most excited I’ve ever been for a new Intervals release,” says Umansky. “The guys let me go bananas with the bass on this one, which is a little nerve-wrecking for the live shows, but we’re doing OK so far!”