What makes The Collective by Scale the Summit notable?

The Collective received positive reviews from critics, with many highlighting its innovative approach to instrumental music. It debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, indicating a growing recognition within the progressive rock and metal community. Released in 2011, The Collective is Scale the Summit's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, Carving Desert Canyons. At this point in their career, the band had established themselves as a leading act in the instrumental progressive metal scene, noted for their sophisticated compositions and musicianship.

How many songs are on The Collective?

The Collective has 11 tracks, running approximately 45 minutes.

The Collective

Scale the Summit · 2011

45 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal

An exhilarating blend of intricate melodies and complex rhythms that showcases the band's technical prowess and emotive depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Colossal — Opening with a grand sonic landscape, this track sets the tone for the album with its intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts.
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Whales — This track features expansive arrangements that evoke imagery of vast oceans, showcasing the band’s ability to convey emotion without lyrics.
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Gallows — With its haunting melodies and complex time signatures, Gallows exemplifies the band's signature blend of heaviness and melody.
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Black Hills — A lengthy composition that builds tension gradually, this track stands out for its rich textures and climactic peaks that captivate listeners throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album showcases technical proficiency and dynamic contrasts, appealing to fans of progressive metal.

What we noticed

Each track typically builds from a quiet introduction to a climactic peak, often layering multiple guitar melodies over intricate drum patterns.

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

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 Colossal 3:48
2 Whales 6:28
3 Emersion 2:33
4 The Levitated 3:02
5 Secret Earth 3:38
6 Gallows 4:33
7 Origin of Species 2:45
8 Alpenglow 3:58
9 Black Hills 7:59
10 Balkan 3:44
11 Drifting Figures 3:10

What to play next

Listen next

The Migration

2013

Go back to

Carving Desert Canyons

2009

Full Scale the Summit discography Artists like Scale the Summit

progressive metal progressive rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata