More about: Sleep Token

Sleep Token. It’s the band that has been rolling off the tips of peoples tongue and it’s the name that has been on everyone’s lips recently.

With over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify and counting, since the illusive outfit dropped their string of singles including 'Chokehold', 'The Summoning' and most recently 'Vore', all now revealed to be part of a wider body of work titled Take Me Back To Eden - that number is sure to grow. 

Whilst you can’t put a face to the name - though many have tried and failed, with conspiracy spreading about various names like Noah Sebastian of Bad Omens, Dan Smith from Bastille or Rob Damiani from Don Broco - their music speaks volumes enough to form an identity of its own. Blending smooth pop vocal hooks and sexy alt-metal instrumentals that transcend any genre, from the early bandcamp days of One and Two to full lengths like Sundowning and This Place Will Become Your Tomb, there is more to Sleep Token than meets the mask.

Here are some of the best underrated cuts from music's best kept secret...

‘Fields of Elation’ 

Want to know the proper backstory of where the illusion, mystery and enigmatic nature of Sleep Token started? Let me take you back to the Bandcamp days and the band's early work One. A three track EP that introduced us to the initial prog rock world Sleep Token were building, think Tesseract meets Leprous scattered with a sprinkling of the likes of Loathe, One for those whose gateway to Sleep is The Summoning is massively underrated as a magical body of work. 'Fields Of Elation' is our first pick of underrated tracks from the masked and cloaked collective and it’s a masterclass in emotive, spine tingling and simply stunning prog. Heartfelt lyrics and majestic vocals, this is only the start of the Sleep Token rollercoaster of worshipping the unknown that we have all grown to love and respect. 

‘Thread The Needle’

Similarly, our second pick of underrated tracks taken from One is 'Thread The Needle'. Another emotionally detailed and multi layered song shrouded in the darkest of fears yet brightest of thoughts, 'Thread The Needle' is a song any OG Sleep Token Stan will cherish and hold close to their hearts, being one of the first works Vessel and co put out into the world. 

‘Calcutta’

One year later, and the mystery continues with Sleep Token putting out EP Two. While some would argue 'Nazareth' is the centrepiece of the EP, elsewhere 'Calcutta' never reviewed the same amount of hype as 'Nazareth', making it an underrated song to behold. Track one on Two, 'Calcutta' engages and captures the listener right off the bat, getting us all into the mind of Vessel, who is transfixed on a past lover to the point where the pain of longing takes over their bodily functions. Synths sincilate and keys radiate like a ocean waves to accompany the gentle aroma of Sleep Token leader Vessel’s melodies that erupt into one giant djent-y outburst later on. 

‘Jericho’

Elsewhere on Two, closer 'Jericho' acts like a ray of sunshine on a warm day and a dark full lit moon at the peak of nighttime. Shining light and dark tones throughout, 'Jericho' brings in stringed instruments, adding a grandiose orchestral element to the proggy shadows that are cast over Two. 

‘The Way That You Were’

Following on closely from standalone single 'Jaws', 'The Way That You Were' unfortunately lives in its shadows. With all the sonic evolutionary characteristics 'Jaws' exhibited and then some; it was a pivotal turning point between the two EP’s. A sorrowful endeavour that details remembering a special someone for who they were and not what they have now become, 'The Way That You Were' layers all the past elements Sleep Token have carefully crafted and adds a touch of timeless finesse. 

‘Gods’

Up until this moment, the EP’s have encapsulated Sleep Token’s song so far, but on November 21st 2019 the dawn of Sleep Token released their debut album. Sundowning offers a twelve track tapestry of genre defiance, something Sleep Token carry through to their current material. A melting pot of EDM flickers in 'Dark Signs' to the poppy keys that haunt album closer 'Blood Sport' and sexy rock explosion that climax in 'Sugar' make more recent sultry offerings like 'Chokehold' look like the sub oppose to the dom. Sundowning was the first true taster of why you couldn't and can’t put Sleep Token into a genre defining box and overlooked number 'Gods' is no exception. Devastatingly heavy in all the right places, 'Gods' is like Vore’s bigger, older and wiser sexier brother, creeping heaviness hitting you right in the jugular throughout. 

‘Say That You Will’

Sundowning’s 'Say That You Will' defied the ritualistic routine where Sleep Token would release singles every fortnight. A deep cut that lingers in the dark, eerie and gloomy shadows of 'The Offering' or 'Sugar', 'Say That You Will' is a fragment in the history and a memory of Sundowning that should be worshipped. Savour every burst of the drums and cherish every sacred moment of Vessel’s stunning vocals because 'Say That You Will' showcases the vulnerable human core under all their allure. 

‘Descending’

Ascending onto their next clean slate, This Place Will Become Your Tomb is a flawless nail in Sleep Token's shrouded coffin. Captivating, compelling and inspiring just like the deep water meets Lush bath bomb esque visualisers that accompany the songs from this record, it’s a step forward sonically. Where 'Hypnosis' sends us all into a dazed trance, 'Alkaline' deliverers a dose of toxic obsessed love; 'Descending' however, drags us into the dark side of Sleep Token once more. 

‘Distraction’

Elevating into an even higher state of tranquillity and serenity, 'Distraction' is a four minute outer body spiritual experience. “Cause I Am broken into fractions/Oh, and I am driven to distraction” croons Vessel on the songs chorus as the cohort of angelic voices that accompany his like a church choir following their leader. A hymn of sheer beauty, 'Distraction' is what it must feel to enter heaven. 

‘High Water’

Rising like the tide coming crashing onto the ocean shores, 'High Water' allows Vessel’s pent up pain and anguish to come crashing down like a downpour from above. Gentle sliding of guitar strings and the soft pattering of drums provide the perfect backing for a tale of unrequited love.

‘Telomeres’

Amid the heaviness of the band, tender pianos can be found below the surface - and 'Telomeres' is perhaps Sleep Tokens at their most stunning. With Loathe-meets-Deftones style vocals, Vessel's voice dreamily croons and drifts in and out of the song's shoegazy soundscape before erupting into patterns of elegant guitar work and a picturesque explosion of drums. 'Telomeres' is This Place Will Become Your Tomb's most enticing moment - a big compliment on an album that is completely compelling and captivating start to finish. 

Listen to all the tracks in one place:

Grab your copy of the Gigwise print magazine here.

More about: Sleep Token