Introducing Rationalist, a rising progressive metalcore quartet from Salt Lake City, Utah. Formed in 2023, the band has already made a bold statement with their debut EP, Paradox Within Paradigms, released in September this year. Combining heavy grooves, technical riffs, and larger-than-life melodies, Rationalist explore deep themes of self-discovery, introspection, and the contradictions within belief systems. Drawing on a range of influences from metalcore and djent to melodeath and prog, the band’s music balances aggression with atmosphere, all while pushing listeners to confront their perspectives.
In this interview, we delve into the band’s formation, the journey behind their debut EP, and how they’ve overcome personal loss and challenges. We also explore the creative process behind Paradox Within Paradigms and what drives their unique blend of technicality and melody.
Rationalist was formed in 2023—can you share with us the story of how the band came together? What inspired you to form a progressive metalcore band?
Jordan Jensen (guitars, vocals): To some degree or another, rock and metal have been a part of our lives since we were kids. Each of us adores heavy music. It is our sanctuary and it inspires us to create.
The roots of this band trace back to 2013 when we formed our previous band – Aether. We played together until 2017, then a couple of our members left to focus on their careers and families. From 2017-2019, West and I continued to work on new material, albeit very leisurely. In late 2019 the original Aether line-up reformed and we decided to call ourselves Rationalist, as the new music we were making was going in a different direction; more progressive and djent inspired with lower tunings and atmospheric elements.
With everyone back together we began writing and recording what would become the Paradox Within Paradigms EP. Throughout this process, the same two members that left Aether, left Rationalist. We recruited our current drummer, Sebastian Smith, and moved forward. We completed recording the EP in spring 2021. Shortly after this, we lost our dear friend and bass player to suicide. This completely gutted us and devoured our motivation. So even though we had just finished recording the album, we would quit playing music altogether for the next two years. The album was shelved until we could heal and grieve the passing of our friend. In 2023 we recruited our friend Eric Seibert to play guitar, then we picked up where we left off and started playing again. This is when Rationalistreally began.
How did you develop your unique sound, blending heavy grooves and technical riffs with soaring melodies? Were there any particular influences that shaped this direction?
I think our sound is a mix of the characteristics we gravitate toward in the music we love. I would describe our style as a combination of metalcore and djent, with some melodeath and prog elements here and there.
As a relatively new band, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced while developing your sound and identity?
Keeping a solid and dedicated line-up was difficult at the beginning of this project. Finding the right balance when creating in a group setting was also challenging. It’s also tough to keep everything original and fresh. We work hard to maintain a unique voice and a dynamic personality that I think shows in our music, yet it still honors the artists that inspire us.
Progressive metalcore is known for its technical complexity. How do you approach songwriting as a band to balance technicality with melody and atmosphere?
Guitar is the foundation of our songs. We typically create a riff or a groove and then build off of it (Wavemaker, Helldiver). Sometimes a song will start with a melodic lead and we’ll build around that (Kintsugi, Spectrum). We try to let songs breathe; to push and pull in their dynamics. This process is hard to put words to because most of it is going by what feels right to our taste. Melody and atmospheric elements usually show up in the places we feel serve the song best.
Your debut EP Paradox Within Paradigms was released on September 27, 2024. What’s the concept behind the title, and how does it relate to the themes of the EP?
The concept of the title essentially asks the listener to confront the contradictions in their beliefs, and realize how more than one truth can exist inside different perspectives. The EP spans a journey of self discovery, introspection and reflection. Being broken down, shattering illusions and egos, then building yourself back up with a new perspective.
Can you walk us through the creative process for the EP? How did the songs come together, and were there any defining moments during the recording process?
The creative process was primarily West and I holding a guitar and staring at Logic Pro. One of us brings in an idea, and we bounce it around until something sticks. Believe it or not, we find that beating our heads against the wall yields some great ideas. [Laughs]
Usually we will lay down the main body of the song with guitar, drums, and bass. This helps establish the motif and feel of the song. After the core arrangement is set in place, we experiment with the finer details surrounding the main structure. Once we are content with the arrangement, we typically begin work on the lyrics and vocal ideas. We knew the general concept would be about a journey of an opening mind, but the way the songs progress lyrically and instrumentally came after all the songs were finished.
The album touches on personal growth and the division in the world—can you tell us more about how these themes are expressed in the lyrics and music?
The EP theme is a journey of opening the mind.
Disintegration is an external observation about how hate and prejudice are causing seemingly endless discord. It’s about awareness of what is going around us and what role we play in creating a positive shift in the world by making a shift in ourselves.
Megalomania is about narcissism and the people who talk at you, not with you. It’s about staying humble and really listening to be influenced, not listening to argue.
Helldiver explores how a person shows up when they have been handed something vs. having earned something. How someone’s ego can tell them they are special, or above, and then realizing a new way to perceive themselves and the world after they hit rock bottom.
Kintsugi serves as a metaphor for redefining yourself after suffering trauma or damage. Realizing that it is that same pain that can change and create something new and beautiful inside you.
Wavemaker is about using your voice, and being original. What legacy will you leave behind?
Spectrum uses color as a metaphor for perception. It’s about relinquishing the beliefs that don’t serve you. How one sees the world is entirely filtered through their beliefs. Will you see with an open mind, or will you see through tunnel vision. I believe that by choosing to be open, you place yourself at a better vantage point to see the objective truth. Always remain curious.
Was there a particular song on Paradox Within Paradigms that was especially meaningful to you during the writing or recording process? Why?
I think we spent the most time on Disintegration. I was very attached to making Disintegration as intense and dynamic as possible. I wanted it to encompass all of my influences. I wrote the music, and West wrote the lyrics, so we were both able to razor focus on our specific role, and I’m really proud of what we created.
Kintsugi was also really special, because it was the first song West and I wrote guitar for together. It was challenging for me to give up that control, but I’m fortunate to have a patient friend to show me that what we can create together is greater than what we can create alone.
What message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from the album? Is there a specific reaction you’re hoping to evoke?
I hope it will provoke introspective thought and press against your beliefs in a way that promotes growth. Ultimately, I would like to see it facilitate movement from darkness to light.
How do you collaborate as a band when it comes to writing music and lyrics? Is there one main songwriter, or is it more of a collective effort?
Most of the time it’s West and I bringing ideas in, recording them, and then building and adding off that to create the arrangement. We also occasionally get ideas just by jamming around. Lyrics typically come from whatever we are going through or concerned about at that time. We frequently exchange lyric ideas, patterns, and rhymes, as well as discussing deep philosophical topics.
Given the complexity of your music, how do you manage to keep the balance between the more aggressive parts and the atmospheric, melodic elements?
We enjoy songs that breathe, songs that ebb and flow and take you on a ride. I feel like we typically try to maintain melody even when the rhythms and grooves are intense and heavy.
What does a typical rehearsal or recording session look like for Rationalist? Do you prioritize experimentation, or do you come in with specific ideas already planned out?
Our rehearsals primarily focus on practicing our songs and getting them as tight as possible. Once we have thoroughly gone over the songs we know, we will often jam around on new riff or idea to see if we can expand on it organically.
I think the core idea that initiates the beginning of any given song is typically something specific or planned out. We usually will not bring an idea to the group until it’s something that we’re proud of or gets us excited. It is there, around that core motif, that we expand the song with experimentation.
Your music explores deep themes like self-discovery and new perspectives. What non-musical influences (books, films, personal experiences) have impacted your songwriting and overall creative vision?
It’s no secret that there’s a lot of discord and division in today’s society. In this EP, we aimed to explore the mindsets that we’ve commonly encountered in recent years. I would say that our experiences have shaped the overall vision and songwriting the most. We’ve tried to channel our own personal experiences to provide something that is real and relatable. We experienced a great deal of personal change at the onset of writing these tunes. We wrote songs about ourselves, we wrote songs about other people, and we wrote songs about the world. I believe we are all connected, so I’ve learned to be careful when I point the finger at another. Often times it’s a mirror you’re pointing at, and you need to learn from what that unsettling emotion is telling you in that instance.
The concept for Helldiver was inspired by the book, Red Rising. Kintsugi was inspired by the traditional Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your approach to progressive metalcore?
Jordan: My biggest influences are the groups from The New Wave of American Heavy Metal era. Bands like: As I Lay Dying, Trivium, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, August Burns Red, Lamb of God, Dream Theater, and so many more. As I became more and more immersed in metal music, I eventually gravitated toward melodic death metal bands like: In Flames, Insomnium, Soilwork, and Dark Tranquillity. Then around 2010, the progressive/djent movement completely swept me away with bands like: Tesseract, Born of Osiris, After The Burial, Erra, Northlane, and Meshuggah.
West: For me, bands such as Currents, Born of Osiris, Heart of a Coward, This or the Apocalypse, and Texas in July have had a major impact on my taste in metal music and how it’s musically structured. Although, rap music has been a huge influence on my lyrical structure. Artists such as Aesop Rock, MF Doom, Jedi Mind Tricks, Atmosphere, and Eminem play with words / metaphors / rhymes in a way that provoke thought and intrigue. Their songs tell stories and create visuals in a way that leave me personally awestruck.
How do you see Rationalist evolving in the future? Are there any specific goals or milestones you want to achieve as a band?
I can only see us getting better and better as we work on new material and grow as individuals and a band.
Setting up an album release tour is our current goal. In our previous project, we stayed mostly local, so going out of state and playing alongside the bands that have inspired us would be a dream come true. Touring the world is the ultimate goal!
With Paradox Within Paradigms being released, do you have any plans for touring, music videos, or other ways to promote the EP?
We are currently working on setting up local shows to brush the dust off from our hiatus. As we expand, we hope to tour the EP around the west coast and keep extending our reach farther and farther. We are also working on making a music video for Kintsugi, and aim to release it later this year. Outside of that, we will continue to promote our music however we can, through playlists, vlogs, reviews, radio, etc.
As a new band in the scene, how has the Salt Lake City metal community received your music so far? Have you been able to connect with other local bands or find support from fans?
So far the reception from our peers and local metal community has been awesome. Lots of great reviews, positivity, and thoughtful feedback. We’re beyond grateful for the support from our family, friends, and fans. The Salt Lake City metal scene is a really great community that we are proud to contribute to and be a part of.
Finally, what would you say to someone who’s about to listen to Rationalist for the first time? How would you introduce them to your music and message?
Pay attention, the music will tell you the rest.
Paradox Within Paradigms is out now; stream/download it from Bandcamp. Follow Rationalist on Facebook and Instagram.
