What makes Monument by Scale the Summit notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its ambitious compositions and technical proficiency, helping to define a niche within the progressive instrumental genre. It notably charted on various music platforms, establishing Scale the Summit as significant contributors to the modern progressive rock movement. Released on July 10, 2007, 'Monument' marked Scale the Summit's debut album, establishing them within the progressive metal scene. At this point in their career, the band was transitioning from local performances to gaining national attention, showcasing their unique instrumental approach.

How many songs are on Monument?

Monument has 8 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Monument

Scale the Summit · 2007

38 min · 8 tracks · progressive metal

Intricate guitar melodies weave through complex rhythms, creating a sonic landscape that marries technicality with emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wolves — This track exemplifies the band's blend of intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, encapsulating their signature sound while maintaining an engaging narrative arc.
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Crossing the Ocean — With its sweeping melodies and complex time signatures, this track showcases the band's ability to create expansive soundscapes while pushing technical boundaries.
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Holding Thunder — The closing track features soaring guitar solos and a climactic build-up that effectively encapsulates the album's emotional journey and musical exploration.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious compositions with intricate instrumentation, establishing a solid foundation in progressive metal.

What we noticed

Each track typically builds through a series of dynamic peaks and valleys, often culminating in climactic sections before resolving.
There are no vocals present, allowing the instrumentation to convey emotion and narrative throughout the entire record.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Shaping the Clouds 4:55
2 Wolves 4:49
3 Crossing the Ocean 5:03
4 Omni 5:12
5 Rode in on Horseback 3:18
6 Roof of the World 5:02
7 Penguins in Flight 3:11
8 Holding Thunder 6:46

What to play next

Listen next

Carving Desert Canyons

2009

Full Scale the Summit discography Artists like Scale the Summit

progressive metal progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata