Sleep Token Continue Their Ritual Worship With 'Two'

24 July 2017 | 8:45 am | Alex Sievers
Originally Appeared In

Straight up, I would love for you all to hear this new release from Sleep Token!

I don't want to tell you what to do to or how to think or feel, but I believe that you all really need to hear this new release from Sleep Token. 


A few weeks ago, Christian Carter of Brisbane instrumentalists, Balloons Kill Babies (great band by the way), shared a link on his personal Facebook to 'Nazareth', the new single at the time from England's Sleep Token.

With a band moniker and song name like that, and with the YouTube thumbnail for 'Nazareth' (which you'll find below), I was preparing myself for some kind of obscure, depressive, atmospheric black metal or doom band; the kind that I've had heard countless times before from countless other bands. Yet what I got from Sleep Token after taking this first plunge into their music was something very different. Something that landed its hooks within my ears near-instantly.

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Sleep Token's powerfully transcendent music - both that of their first release, 2016's 'One' and this recently released, all-around stronger, tighter composed offering, 'Two' - does indeed fit under the umbrella realm of metal music. However, this band isn't exclusively metal or heavy. In fact, half of the time, their music is anything but.

Now that you've hopefully checked out the above link, let us move onwards. Of course, if you haven't done so yet, then stop reading and go hit play. Okay, finished listening now? How fucking great is it!? Anyway, moving on.

As for this mysterious new band's sound, I feel that it's indeed a very formulaic one for them (at least, thus far in their lifespan), but my god, what an absolutely potent formula it is! The short of it is that on each track this London-based four-piece move gracefully between and outright merging together moments of delicate indie-pop, touching cinematic post-rock, and immensely heavy, low-tuned groove metal. For in the world of Sleep Token, the beautiful really does meet the brutal in extreme manners.

Sleep Token always begin their compositions (which they themselves refer to as 'rituals') in a very minimal matter; with the soothing vocals of band leader Vessel hovering above a sound bed of tight low-end subs, melodically warm ambient keys and atmospherics, well-used moments of silence, all of which creates some truly wondrous soundscapes. Just see the first of half of the three songs found within 'Two' as stunning examples of this method.

Then, from these moving, serene foundations usually comes the inclusion of various guitar parts, further and deeper layered atmospherics and sounds, as well as either minimal or driving and building percussion; all of which wonderfully adds and furthers the dynamic of the quartet's sweeping sonic textures. And from these mid-points, Sleep Token effortlessly guide and transition their songs towards heavily-laced finishes, with the sole the exception of 'Jericho', the sensational closer of 'Two'. Within these sections, the band pulls their music into vastly heavier depths of spacious yet crushing instrumentals; the kind where overbearing bass, down-tuned guitar chugs and earth-shattering breakdowns that'd make your favourite metalcore bands proud and green with envy at the same time all reign supreme. The respective finale's of the uplifting opener 'Calcutta' and the darker 'Nazareth' are terrific examples of this and both songs contrast their respective beginning moments of softer, lighter tonal shades so damn well.

Seriously, the way that this band evolves their music over the course of the song's run time through varying genres and fluctuating dynamics is simply fantastic.

Furthermore, even in these heavier sections, the vocals from Vessel himself never once skirt into the realm of screaming either, opting for those angelic, pristine clean vocals throughout. Funnily enough, when I showed a friend of mine Sleep Token recently, he commented on the vocals that, "He sounded like a sad version of the dude from Everything Everything, it's really similar". (As if that was a bad thing, Bill, you utter nerd). And as we discuss Vessel's exceptional timbre and vocal talents, what he is actually lyrically delivering is, at times, rather disturbing.

For instance, "Let’s load the gun/Make her eat the tape in the bathroom mirror/See if she can guess what/A hollow point does to a naked body/Let’s fuck her up/Manifest pain at the core of pleasure/ I’ll see you when the wrath comes, around" ('Nazareth') and "There’s something in the way you lay/Enough to make the dead switch graves/You take your leave" or "You taste like new flesh" (both from 'Jericho'). Such lyrics are no doubt dark, haunting and a little bit creepy, quite frankly.

Yet despite the macabre and potentially cryptic nature of the band's lyrics on 'Two', I still find listening to these three songs to be utterly engrossing experiences - each and every time I journey through them all. And while Sleep Token's actual music without a doubt adheres to a specific songwriting formula across their small discography, when it's this well-written and this well-executed, such repetition of structure could never impede the proceedings nor diminish the sheer level of quality this band offers.

[caption id="attachment_1093589" align="alignnone" width="760"]'Two'. 'Two' is out now. I look forward to Sleep Token's next release, 'Three'.[/caption]

So, that's the kind of music that you'll discover when you partake in communion with Sleep Token. Now, onto the mission statement and visual aesthetic that this spiritual band presents, which is something that's indeed worthy of discussion.

Because just in case you haven't noticed from this article's header photo and the above two music video links, Sleep Token is a masked, anonymous musical collective, fronted by the aforementioned and "perpetually tormented" band leader, Vessel. The band is united in their continual love and worship of an ancient deity called "Sleep", a name bequeathed to it as modern tongues (apparently) cannot properly express this being's actual name. The group's online bio states of this "Sleep" that, "This being once held great power, bestowing ancient civilisations with the gift of dreams, and the curse of nightmares" and that "Even today, though faded from prominence, 'Sleep' yet lurks in the subconscious minds of man, woman, and child alike."

According to the band once again, their music is simply that of a sacrament and is meant to spread the message of this ancient deity. Now, that may give some answers to the strange yet creepily dark nature of their lyrics. Then again, maybe that just raises a hell of a lot more questions!

In Greek mythology, Hypnos is the god that personified sleep, whereas the Roman equivalent is Somnus, and while I'm sure there is some Sumerian god that may have reigned over sleep, the night or that of the unconsciousness, I couldn't find much on this band's actual titular God. Moreover, something does tell me that the ancient temple that graces the cover of 'Two' is that of the civilisation that may have originally worshipped this crudely titled "Sleep". Which I can only assume was an Eastern-based culture of sorts, due to the names of this release's three songs; 'Nazareth' (which is a major city in Isreal), 'Calcutta', (now known as Kolkata, the capital city of the Indian state, West Bengal), and 'Jericho' (a city in the Palestinian Territories, located near the Jordan River in the West Bank).

Of course, that's just my own take on it, and if you think you've found anything on "Sleep" or have anything to add to this band's mythos, let me know in the comments below, as I'm deeply curious!

Now, one of the first big publications to cover the band was when the original premiere of 'Calcutta' occurred, where Metal Hammer conducted an interview with Sleep Token. The interview tried to gauge the band's intent, origin, nature and where they had been and where they were now going. Here are some of the more... mysterious moments from the interview:

"What is the story behind Sleep Token?

"How we got here is as irrelevant as who we are – what matters is the music and the message. We are here to serve Sleep and project His message."

"Why do you all wish to remain anonymous?

"Our identities are unimportant. Music is marketed on who is or isn’t in a band; it’s pushed. prodded and moulded into something it isn’t. Vessel endeavours to keep the focus on His offerings."

"Do you worry people will liken you to bands like Ghost?

"No. The only comparison that can be drawn with Ghost is our anonymity. Our verses are a token, crafted to magnify and embody the multitude of emotion that writhes in our subconscious. Sonically our voice is rooted in the resonation between the notes and your emotion. Take our hand."

"Do you think people will see Sleep Token as a gimmick and not pay attention to the music?

"The standard concept of gimmickry is none of our concern. We are here to deliver a message; touch people in their hearts and subconscious minds. Soon, regardless of cynicism, you will all be followers. "

"You’re making your live debut next month. What can we expect from Sleep Token in the live environment?

"Worship."

"What lies in the future for Sleep Token?

"Nothing. Lasts. Forever."

Yep, it went about as well as you could imagine from an anonymous, masked band such as this - whose band members may or may not be in other, more prominent bands too.

[caption id="attachment_1093591" align="alignnone" width="760"]Fun little fact: Vessel's face mask has the band's own initials - ST - carved into it. Fun little fact: Vessel's face mask bears the band's own initials - ST - carved into it.[/caption]

That being said, however, the enigmatic nature of Sleep Token's thematic intention, identities, and appearance is an intriguing one. (Look, I know that you're probably thinking about Ghost right now, but seriously, just stop it - this band is a whole other beast entirely to that band and I'd place Sleep Token above old mate Papa and co.).

Although, at the end of the day, this band's narrative concept and aesthetic appearance is a gimmick - an interesting gimmick, most certainly - but a gimmick nonetheless. However, when you strip away all of that and hone in on the actual music that Sleep Token creates, you have something that's truly special.

You can purchase 'Twohere. You can all thank me later on after your worship has commenced.



Oh, and before I fully wrap this piece up, back in February Sleep Token released an amazing cover of OutKast's 'Hey Ya!'. Just when you thought you couldn't love this band anymore, right?