What makes The Common Man's Collapse by Veil of Maya notable?

The album received significant attention within the metal community, debuting at number 30 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. It helped to further establish Veil of Maya as key players in the djent movement, influencing upcoming bands with its technical proficiency and innovative sounds. Released in 2008, The Common Man's Collapse marked Veil of Maya's third studio album, coming after their breakthrough record, Id. The band was solidifying their presence in the metalcore scene, highlighting a growing maturity in songwriting and production quality as they transitioned into a more complex sound.

Who is The Common Man's Collapse for?

The Common Man's Collapse works well if you're into intense bursts of energy, cathartic release for frustration and short tracks for quick impact.

How many songs are on The Common Man's Collapse?

The Common Man's Collapse has 10 tracks, running approximately 33 minutes.

The Common Man's Collapse

Veil of Maya · 2008

33 min · 10 tracks · metalcore

A relentless fusion of intricate guitar work and guttural vocals, pushing the boundaries of metalcore and djent.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crawl Back — This track showcases a perfect blend of melodic hooks and brutal breakdowns, encapsulating the album's dynamic range while also highlighting the band's technical prowess.
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It’s Not Safe to Swim Today — The track features aggressive rhythms paired with atmospheric elements that create an intense auditory experience, illustrating the band's ability to balance heaviness with melody.
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All Eyes Look Ahead — With its thought-provoking lyrics and compelling structure, this track stands out for its emotional depth while maintaining the band's signature heavy sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and strong performances, solidifying Veil of Maya's place in metalcore.

What we noticed

Vocals alternate between guttural screams and clean singing, often within the same track, adding contrast to the aggressive instrumentation.
Several tracks incorporate ambient interludes that provide brief pauses in intensity before launching back into heavy sections.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intense bursts of energy
cathartic release for frustration
short tracks for quick impact
headbanging anthems for gatherings

Maybe skip if you

prefer smooth, mellow sounds
seek lengthy immersive experiences

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2008, The Common Man's Collapse marked Veil of Maya's third studio album, coming after their breakthrough record, Id. The band was solidifying their presence in the metalcore scene, highlighting a growing maturity in songwriting and production quality as they transitioned into a more complex sound.
Stylistic neighbors: Born of Osiris· After the Burial· Periphery