Sleep Token is set to redefine the landscape of modern metal : A Look at their Best Works
Sine Highlights
BUZZ // Masked Metal Titans Sleep Token Sell Out First U.S. Arena Tour Before New LP Drops
British alternative metal sensation Sleep Token has officially cemented their place among rock's elite. Following the viral triumph of their 2023 album Take Me Back To Eden, the enigmatic group has skyrocketed to headliner status, selling out arenas across the UK and Europe. Now, their dominance continues stateside as they prepare to embark on their first-ever U.S. arena headlining tour this fall, which sold out in record time.
Sleep Token's rapid ascent has been underscored by significant milestones, including their highly anticipated appearance as a headliner at the iconic Download Festival, where they share the spotlight with rock giants Green Day and Korn. This achievement alone speaks volumes about the band's rising influence in the alternative metal scene.
The band confirmed the overwhelming demand for their U.S. tour, titled Even In Arcadia North American Rituals, through a statement on social media:
"Entrance tickets for the Even In Arcadia North American Rituals have been swiftly depleted.Come September, we shall gather."
The tour comes ahead of the release of their fourth studio album, Even In Arcadia, set to drop on May 9th under RCA Records. The lead single, Emergence, has already created a buzz online, adding to the anticipation for the full record.
The fall tour dates are as follows:
09/16 Duluth, GA – GAS South Arena
09/17 Orlando, FL – Kia Center
09/19 Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life
09/20 Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum
09/22 Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
09/23 Worcester, MA – DCU Center
09/24 Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
09/26 Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
09/27 Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
09/28 Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
09/30 Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
10/01 Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
10/03 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
10/05 West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
10/07 Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
10/08 Portland, OR – Moda Center
10/10 Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
10/11 Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
As fans eagerly await the next chapter, Even In Arcadia promises to be another transformative release in their ever-evolving journey.
SHOWCASE // SLEEP TOKEN
Songs That Demand to be on Repeat
Sleep Token stands as one of the most unique bands today, blending pop, hip-hop, and alternative rock with prog-metal intensity. Their high-theatrics, complete with face masks, touring choirs, and sci-fi pseudo-religious imagery, create a captivating and immersive experience. Their music is deep, story-driven, and genre-fluid, making it nearly impossible not to fall for their brand of prog-metalcore wonder. Here are the top 10 Sleep Token songs that demand to be listened to repeatedly.
1. Hypnosis
This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021)
"Hypnosis" is an intoxicating journey through electronic textures, slick metal riffs, and post-grunge atmospheres. Repetition and prayer-like lyrics heighten the song's cosmic qualities. Its massive breakdown and crystalline outro showcase Sleep Token's impeccable production.
2. Say What You Will
Sundowning (2019)
This track masterfully shifts from an emo-tinged indie ballad to a symphonic metal marvel. Dynamics drive the song's power, where intimacy in quiet moments evolves into high-energy intensity. Its beauty remains constant, making it essential early Sleep Token listening.
3. Vore
Take Me Back to Eden (2023)
"Vore" thrives on metalcore aggression, seamlessly shifting through screamo, melodic hardcore, and metal. Personal demons and love-lorn obsession fuel the song's emotional depth. Its blistering breakdowns and fluid genre transitions make it an exhilarating listen.
4. Granite
Take Me Back to Eden (2023)
Starting with atmospheric R&B and ending in heavy metal riffs, "Granite" is a moody, evolving masterpiece. The song explores themes of unrequited love and heartbreak, with clever lyrics and precise prog-metal twists.
5. The Offering
Sundowning (2019)
An ambitious blend of dreamy synthwave and full-on metal intensity, "The Offering" is a testament to Sleep Token's genre-fluidity. Passionate and archaic, this track stands out for its fresh, composed vision.
6. Chokehold
Take Me Back to Eden (2023)
"Chokehold" combines trip-hop breakbeats with rock balladry. Its jagged synth harmonics and bluesy breakdown create a mood of moody reflection and full-throated optimism, making it an accessible yet complex track.
7. Fall For Me
This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021)
Delicately minimalist, "Fall For Me" showcases Sleep Token's softer side. With lush sonic landscapes crafted from pitch-controlled vocals, this song is a poetic and introspective masterpiece, perfect for headphone listening.
8. Alkaline
This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021)
"Alkaline" is a slow-moving pop ballad with metal undertones. Clock-like drum machines and metallic synths give it a unique edge. Its soaring choruses and textured sound design make it an unforgettable track.
9. Take Me Back To Eden
Take Me Back to Eden (2023)
A multi-faceted metal opus, "Take Me Back to Eden" is more of a story than a song. Exploring themes of love and loss, it features rapping, singing, and screaming in a perfectly structured narrative.
10. The Summoning
Take Me Back to Eden (2023)
"The Summoning" is a metalcore masterpiece with hardcore guitar solos, masterful choruses, and an out-of-this-world ambient break. It represents the band's growth and versatility, making it a standout track.
Sleep Token's music is an immersive experience filled with emotional depth and genre-blending brilliance. Each song tells a story, blending heavy metal with softer, reflective moments.
Whether you're new to the band or a long-time devotee, these 10 tracks showcase why Sleep Token is one of the most replayable bands in modern metal.
SPOTLIGHT // Vechi Arun & Naveen Tejaswi - Preethiya Gaali
Kannada’s literary canon is no stranger to social commentary, may it be Siddalingaiah’s fiery poetry or the plays of Girish Karnad. Penned by esteemed Kannada writer, poet, and social activist Janardhan Kesaragadde, Preethiya Gaali Beesutide (Love’s Breeze Blows) is a stirring ode to love and friendship that defy the boundaries of caste and religion. The lyrics echo the inevitability of change, however painful, as time and defiance dismantle the walls of tradition. If love and friendship are deemed mistakes, the song boldly urges us to embrace them, for what is condemned today will become tomorrow’s truth.
Recently, two distinct musical renditions bring these visionary words to life, each amplifying the song’s core through unique artistic lenses.
INTERVIEWS // David Roush (Ecce Shnak)
Give us a sneak peek into the overall compositional idea of the song!
There are two big sections: a math-rock song and a chorale funeral dirge. The math-rock song has two verses and two choruses. At the time I wrote it, I had been wolfing down the Dillinger Escape Plan record, “Miss Machine.” My groove is nowhere near as stridently oddly metered as anything on that record, but I know that that album nudged me to try to write something that could be both techy but could also “dance.” The final blast of the math-rock section had such weight to it but is also in a yummily singable key, Db-flat major.
The vocals until that point are very fast, shout-y/bark-y, and rather mysterious. I am proud of them, but I also recognized that most of the lyrics are not very intelligible, which was a bummer, so I decided to end the song with a great, big, scrumptious singalong. Somehow, the lyric “No matter how severe my scowl, I’ll always grin underneath” occurred to me as the refrain, as it summarized the weird ironies and contradictions of Bentham’s philosophy and the tragic and absurd course his life and, ultimately, his death took.