How a Chicago metal band evolved from deathcore roots to progressive metalcore mastery
In short: Formed in 2004, Veil of Maya emerged from the ashes of a local death metal project to become a cornerstone of modern metalcore. Over two decades, the band navigated shifting lineups and evolving sonic identities, eventually moving from aggressive deathcore origins toward a refined, progressive sound defined by complex technicality.
The group originated in Chicago in 2004 following the dissolution of the band Insurrection. Founding members Marc Okubo, Sam Applebaum, and Kristopher Higler launched the project, which initially experimented with a dense, six-piece configuration featuring three guitarists. This early iteration was short-lived, and by 2007, the band stabilized as a quartet. Their debut, All Things Set Aside, arrived in 2006, establishing a foundation in deathcore that would define their early reputation.
A pivotal shift occurred in 2008 when the band signed with Sumerian Records and recruited vocalist Brandon Butler. This era saw the release of The Common Man's Collapse and the 2010 album Id, which reached number 107 on the Billboard 200. During this period, the band began incorporating elements of djent and metalcore, a stylistic progression that continued with the 2012 release of Eclipse, produced by Misha Mansoor of Periphery. These records marked a departure from their initial sound, favoring a more intricate, progressive approach.
The arrival of vocalist Lukas Magyar in 2015 signaled a major transformation with the release of Matriarch. This record prioritized clean vocals and hardcore-style screaming over the growls of their earlier work. Following subsequent releases like False Idol and 2023's Mother, the band solidified their identity as a progressive metalcore act. Despite their longevity, the group entered a hiatus in September 2024 to re-evaluate their trajectory, and in December 2025, Magyar departed to pursue a new musical project called SIFYN.
The band's history is a study in creative adaptation. By moving away from the rigid constraints of deathcore, they successfully integrated diverse influences, ranging from pop culture references in their lyrics to the technical precision of modern metal production. This evolution allowed them to maintain relevance within the heavy music scene for over twenty years, demonstrating how a band can reinvent its core sound while retaining its foundational spirit.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Veil of Maya
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