V (Scale the Summit album)
{{Infobox album
| name = V
| type = studio
| artist = Scale the Summit
| cover = ScaleTheSummitV.jpg
| alt =
| released = September 18, 2015
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio = Basement Studios, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| genre =
| length = 50:59
| label = Prosthetic
| producer =
- Scale the Summit
- Jeff Penalber
| prev_title = The Migration
| prev_year = 2013
| next_title = In a World of Fear
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{Singles
| name = V
| type = Studio
| single1 = Stolas
| single1date = July 10, 2015{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/10/news/scale-the-summit-go-80s-pop-up-video-for-stolas-video/|title=Scale The Summit Go 80's & 'Pop-Up Video' For "Stolas" Video|date=July 10, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
| single2 = Kestrel
| single2date = August 11, 2015{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/08/11/news/scale-the-summit-debut-new-song-kestrel/|title=Scale The Summit Debut New Song "Kestrel"|date=August 11, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
| single3 = Blue Sun
| single3date = September 9, 2015{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/09/09/news/scale-the-summit-debut-blue-sun-music-video/|title=Scale The Summit Debut "Blue Sun" Music Video|date=September 9, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
}}
}}
V (read as Five){{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/03/23/news/scale-the-summit-reveal-new-album-title/|title=Scale The Summit Reveal New Album Title|date=March 23, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} is the fifth studio album by American instrumental progressive metal band Scale the Summit. It was released on September 18, 2015, through Prosthetic Records. The album was self-produced by the band and Jeff Penalber.{{Cite web|url=https://scale-the-summit.bandcamp.com/album/v|title=V by Scale The Summit|website=Band Camp|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/916341-Scale-The-Summit-V|title=Scale the Summit V|website=Discogs|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/v-mw0002863406|title=Scale the Summit V|website=AllMusic|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} It is their last album to be released on this label before the band decided to release their work independently. It is the band's only album with drummer J.C. Bryant.{{Cite web|title=Scale The Summit replaces drummer|date=March 17, 2015|website=Lambgoat|url=http://lambgoat.com/news/24389/Scale-The-Summit-replaces-drummer|accessdate=March 18, 2015}} It is also the band's last album with bassist Mark Michell and original rhythm guitarist Travis Levrier.{{cite web|publisher=Metal Injection|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/breakups/scale-the-summit-parts-ways-with-rhythm-section-over-financial-disputes|title=SCALE THE SUMMIT Parts Ways With Rhythm Section Over Financial Disputes|date=October 28, 2016|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
Background and recording
On October 14, 2014, Scale the Summit are expecting to begin tracking their new album in November.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2014/10/14/news/scale-the-summit-to-begin-tracking-new-album-in-november/|title=Scale The Summit To Begin Tracking New Album In November|date=October 14, 2014|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} On January 5, 2015, the band headed to the studio and begun tracking the album on January 7. According to the band, the process is expected to continue for the next two months.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/01/05/news/scale-the-summit-headed-to-the-studio/|title=Scale The Summit Headed To The Studio|date=January 5, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} On March 23, they revealed the title of the album. On June 29, the album has been given a release date on September 18. Along with the date comes a preview of the album's opening cut, "The Winged Bull", as well as see the first piece of artwork to be revealed.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/06/29/news/scale-the-summit-tease-new-song-announce-september-release-date-for-next-album/|title=Scale The Summit Tease New Song, Announce September Release Date For Next Album|date=June 29, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
Promotion and release
On July 1, 2015, a second tease of new material from Scale the Summit has been posted, with the preview of "The Golden Bird" available.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/01/news/scale-the-summit-tease-new-song-the-golden-bird/|title=Scale The Summit Tease New Song "The Golden Bird"|date=July 1, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} The same day, a third audio preview of the track "Kestrel" has been uploaded.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/01/news/scale-the-summit-preview-new-song-kestrel/|title=Scale The Summit Preview New Song "Kestrel"|date=July 1, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} On July 4, two more song clips of the tracks "Oort Cloud" and "Soria Moria" have been published.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/04/news/scale-the-summit-preview-new-songs-oort-cloud-soria-moria/|title=Scale The Summit Preview New Songs "Oort Cloud" & "Soria Moria"|date=July 4, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} On July 6, they unveiled the clip of the new song "Pontus Euxinus".{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/06/news/scale-the-summit-tease-new-song-pontus-euxinus/|title=Scale The Summit Tease New Song "Pontus Euxinus"|date=July 6, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} On July 7, the band premiered the teaser is for the song "Trapped in Ice".{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/07/news/scale-the-summit-tease-new-song-trapped-in-ice/|title=Scale The Summit Tease New Song "Trapped In Ice"|date=July 7, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}} On July 9, two more new songs titled "Blue Sun" and "The Isle of Mull" from the band's album are now available for preview.{{cite web|publisher=ThePRP|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/07/09/news/scale-the-summit-preview-new-songs-blue-sun-the-isle-of-mull/|title=Scale The Summit Preview New Songs "Blue Sun" & "The Isle Of Mull"|date=July 9, 2015|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = Blabbermouth.net
| rev1score = 8.5/10{{Cite web|last=Van Horn, Jr.|first=Ray|title=CD Reviews - V Scale The Summit|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=26 August 2015 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/v-3|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
| rev2 = Metal Injection
| rev3 = Sputnikmusic
| rev3score = {{rating|3.6|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/68653/Scale-the-Summit-V/|title=Review: V|last=D. Gerhart|first=Thompson|publisher=Sputnikmusic|accessdate=April 29, 2023}}
}}
Ray Van Horn, Jr. from Blabbermouth.net gave the album 8.5 out of 10 and said: "As with previous compositions, Scale the Summit dials back and harmonizes with soothing poise as set up to thicker progressions. Thus the heavier motif of V gives Scale the Summit even more muscle than they came into this album with. As if they hadn't already hit their zenith four years ago on The Collective." Metal Injection rated the album 8.5 out of 10 and stated, "On September 18th, Scale the Summit's V will be available to consume. With every fine piece of work, the patient observation and evaluation will yield a greater experience. Don't expect V to come alive and speak to you on the first listen, allow it to feed you the reasons why it will be one of the best instrumental albums of 2015."
Track listing
{{track listing
| title1 = The Winged Bull
| length1 = 4:25
| title2 = Soria Moria
| length2 = 5:50
| title3 = Pontus Euxinus
| length3 = 4:15
| title4 = Trapped in Ice
| length4 = 4:21
| title5 = Stolas
| length5 = 4:59
| title6 = The Isle of Mull
| length6 = 4:33
| title7 = Kestrel
| length7 = 4:54
| title8 = Oort Cloud
| length8 = 5:28
| title9 = Blue Sun
| length9 = 7:04
| title10 = The Golden Bird
| length10 = 5:05
| total_length = 50:59
}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from AllMusic.
;Scale the Summit
- Chris Letchford – lead guitar, layout
- Travis Levrier – rhythm guitar
- Mark Michell – bass
- J.C. Bryant – drums
;Additional personnel
- Jeff Penalber – production, engineering, recording
- Scale the Summit – production
- Jamie King – mixing, mastering
- Duncan Storr – artwork
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2015)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|36|artist=Scale the Summit|accessdate=April 30, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardHardRock|14|artist=Scale the Summit|accessdate=April 30, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|29|artist=Scale the Summit|accessdate=April 30, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|5|artist=Scale the Summit|accessdate=April 30, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardAlbumSales|100|artist=Scale the Summit|access-date=April 30, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Scale the Summit albums