mxdwn.co.uk » Sleep Token https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Wed, 29 Apr 2026 23:37:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Sleep Token Return From Hiatus With Experimental Metal Album ‘Even In Arcadia’ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-return-from-hiatus-with-experimental-metal-album-even-in-arcadia/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-return-from-hiatus-with-experimental-metal-album-even-in-arcadia/#comments Mon, 12 May 2025 10:09:57 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=109429 London alternative metal band Sleep Token have returned from their recent break with a confident alt-metal album ‘Even In Arcadia’, which experiments with their addictive metal sound. 

 

The members Vessel, II, III and IV formed the band in 2016 with a mysterious shtick that intrigued listeners, as the band wore masks to remain anonymous. Since the band does not take part in interviews, they kept listeners guessing and created a dedicated fan base set on deciphering everything from their lyrics to the changes in their masks. The band has released five studio albums with their debut ‘Sundowning’ in 2020. The album was a shocking collection of choral/metal tracks such as ‘The Offering’ which showcases Vessel’s standout ghostly vocals amongst shifts to heavy metal breakdowns, making for a unique sound that earned them a massive fan base after its release. 

‘Even In Arcadia’ features ten tracks that blend their alt-metal sound with R&B and electro inspirations, continuing an in depth narrative around songs as offerings to a deity called ‘Sleep’. Though, this album takes a different sonic direction with a seven minute heavy metal opener ‘Look To Windward’ which also offers a surprising trap section. Following this they share a jazz inspired alt-metal track ‘Emergence’ which was released ahead of the album in March.

Their previous album release in 2023 ‘Take Me Back To Eden’ similarly showcased a bold fusion of genres, though this release gave a blend of progressive metal, pop and R&B. 

With their strict anonymity, Sleep Token’s performances are widely anticipated. They are known for their captivating live concerts, sharing their uniquely hard hitting tracks on stage with fans.  

@lunyxa__ 3 minutes of RAIN in Berlin. #sleeptoken #sleeptokenworship #sleeptokenlive #sleeptokenrain #sleeptokenband #germanheadlinerituals #sleeptokenvessel #sleeptokeniv ♬ original sound – LU


The band embarked on their US tour Teeth Of God, before deleting all their Instagram posts, changing their bio to the ominous phrase “Nothing lasts forever” and going on hiatus. Their mysterious social media activity left fans curious and perplexed, unsure if the band would ever return to music.

One fan posted their confusion on Reddit.

Comment
byu/davilaz from discussion
inSleepToken

Their return to music was welcomed whole heartedly this year when they released tracks from ‘Even In Arcadia’, ‘Emergence’, ‘Caramel’ and ‘Damocles’.

The band will be performing at the greatly anticipated Download Festival this June as well as the Louder Than Life festival in September. Additionally, they will be embarking on their Even In Arcadia tour in September. Tickets can be found to this on their website.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-return-from-hiatus-with-experimental-metal-album-even-in-arcadia/feed/ 0 Sleep Token Announce Fourth Album ‘Even In Arcadia’ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-announce-fourth-album-even-in-arcadia/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-announce-fourth-album-even-in-arcadia/#comments Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:46:48 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=107745 Sleep Token have revealed their fourth studio album, ‘Even In Arcadia’, which is set to arrive on May 9 via RCA Records. The announcement follows months of cryptic teasers, including sheet music drops and mysterious emails to fans, hinting at a new era for the band.

Alongside the album news, the band has released the lead single ‘Emergence’, a sprawling six-minute track that showcases their signature genre-blending style. NME has already given the song a four-star review, praising it as an example of Sleep Token at their “sprawling, genre-defying best.”

The new album is described as a fresh chapter for Vessel and company, pushing their sound further into an otherworldly space where music and emotion seamlessly merge. Some fans speculate that ‘Even In Arcadia’ will break away from the trilogy of albums that preceded it, marking a new direction in the band’s evolving mythology.

Sleep Token first gained attention with their 2019 debut album, ‘Sundowning’, which introduced their mix of atmospheric metal, R&B, and progressive rock. The album received widespread praise, with publications like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer highlighting the band’s unique approach to heavy music. Their 2021 follow-up, ‘This Place Will Become Your Tomb’, expanded on their cinematic sound, earning them a growing cult following in the UK and securing a place on the UK Albums Chart, debuting and peaking at number 39.

However, it was 2023’s ‘Take Me Back to Eden‘ that solidified their status as one of the most innovative metal bands in the UK. The album debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, their highest position to date, and was praised for its ambitious songwriting, blending metal, electronic, and pop influences. Tracks like ‘The Summoning’ and ‘Granite’ became viral hits, further propelling Sleep Token into the mainstream.

In celebration of the album, Sleep Token have also announced a 17-date North American tour, kicking off on September 16 in Duluth, Georgia. The tour will include stops in Orlando, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and more.

Meanwhile, Sleep Token are set to headline Download Festival for the first time this June. Additionally, drummer II will perform at Black Sabbath’s final show in Birmingham this July, sharing the stage with Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, and Grammy winners Gojira. Speaking about the opportunity, II called it a “reverence and great honour’.

Fans can visit the official site to pre-order a limited seven-inch vinyl variant of the new single.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-announce-fourth-album-even-in-arcadia/feed/ 0 Sleep Token Launch Two Private Instagram Accounts, Previewing New Music https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-launch-two-private-insta-accounts-previewing-new-music/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-launch-two-private-insta-accounts-previewing-new-music/#comments Fri, 28 Feb 2025 11:47:01 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=107281 Sleep Token have launched two new private Instagram accounts, where they have been previewing new music, linking it to the showmehowtodanceforever.com website they activated recently.

There are two accounts – @houseofveridian and @featheredhost – the former with the bio ‘The house must endure’, and the latter’s reading ‘The cycle must end’. The accounts currently have just over 2,000 followers each and have uploaded images of some sheet music – possibly new Sleep Token songs from their upcoming album? Latin phrases have also been discovered hidden within the uploads for the two new accounts, leading fans to theorize as to what it can all mean.


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A post shared by eLe (@sleeptoken_eden)

Both the names “House Veridan” and “Feathered Host” were previously shared via the showmehowtodanceforever.com website. Each came with a crest of arms, and the same mottos as on their new Instagram accounts. Above them is a headline stating “CHOOSE YOUR ALLEGIANCE”, and fans can click either crest to sign up for a mailing list – could the British rockers be splitting their fans into factions as part of a world-building album rollout?

Some dedicated fans have quickly read and interpreted the sheet music, posting videos of themselves performing the mysterious songs. MusicRadar’s piano expert/composer Quentin Lachapele shared a video of his playthrough and also gave a summary of it’s musicality.

“The first four bars introduce a theme in A minor, played in the upper register, which evolves into a soft syncopated pattern,” he explains. “This gently passes through F major and leads into D minor, where a repeated A note lingers – almost like a fleeting thought. The theme returns five more times, each with slight variations: sometimes more syncopated, sometimes with longer, more reflective notes.”

“The melody then unfolds into a descending pattern, gently falling and lingering in a suspended moment of stillness. From here, the theme re-emerges, now in the left hand, lower and darker, like a distant echo or a response from the depths.”

As their hungry fanbase anticipates Sleep Token’s new album, the masked metal group have been announced for Louder Than Life fest, alongside names such as Bring Me The Horizon, Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, Deftones, and more.

They are also set to headline Download 2025 alongside Green Day and Korn – more on that here.

Download Festival Poster

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-launch-two-private-insta-accounts-previewing-new-music/feed/ 0 A. A. Williams Releases Cover of Placebo Hit ‘Without You I’m Nothing’ And Announces UK And Europe Tour https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/a-a-williams-releases-cover-of-placebo-hit-without-you-im-nothing-and-announces-uk-and-europe-tour/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/a-a-williams-releases-cover-of-placebo-hit-without-you-im-nothing-and-announces-uk-and-europe-tour/#comments Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:21:18 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=64505 London based, multi-instrumentalist A. A. Williams has released a cover of Placebo’s “Without You I’m Nothing,” ahead of her US tour with Sleep Token. The artist has also announced an upcoming tour of the UK and Europe with Kalandra in late Autumn.

No stranger to covering a wide range of artists and genres, releasing an album of them back in 2021 titled, Songs From Isolation, A. A. Williams is often quite open about her influences and the artists she admires. Placebo appears to be one right at the top of her wish list, as the classically trained musician has now covered one of Placebo’s singles and title track off of their second album, Without You I’m Nothing.

Speaking on her take of the song, Williams said, “when I first discovered Placebo as a teen, I felt as if I’d found a world just for me. Barely a day went by without their songs in my headphones, their explorations of angst, frustration and alienation speaking to me like nothing I’d heard before… Simultaneously brand new and familiar, I felt that I’d been understood for the first time, all the while being fed with musical styles I wasn’t familiar with – glam, goth, electro and punk were all introduced to me through Placebo’s melancholy lens.

I’ve dreamed of covering a Placebo song for years. I think it always had to be “Without You I’m Nothing”, a song of longing and loss that for me will always feel current and relevant, as someone who always felt that human connection was the key to happiness – and as an outsider looking in, as someone uncomfortable in their own skin.”

Placebo’s song, perhaps notable for featuring backing vocals by David Bowie, was a huge critical and popular hit with fans and became a staple in the band’s live set up until 2012 where it has been performed more sporadically, in part due to the band’s insistence of not playing ‘hit’ songs during live sets. The song however, provides the perfect tone and emotional gravitas for an artist of A. A. Williams’ capabilities and her version is sure to be a hit with her audiences.

An upcoming North American tour with Sleep Token will undoubtedly open doors to whole new sets of admirers for Williams and, with her unique blend of strings and guitars, the artist continues to gain attention from listeners of all genres. Williams will be embarking on a co-headlining tour of the UK and Europe with Kalandra this November and December. Tickets can be purchased here.

A. A. Williams UK and Europe Tour:

17/11/2023 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
18/11 – The Dome – London
19/11 – Botanique, Grand Salon – Brussels, Belgium
20/11 – O’Sullivan’s Backstage by the Mill – Paris, France
21/11 – Altigone – Toulouse, France
22/11 – Moby Dick – Madrid, Spain
23/11 – La Nau – Barcelona, Spain
23/11 – Salamandra – L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
24/11 – Maison des Choeurs – Montpellier, France
25/11 – Le Transbordeur – Villeurbanne, France
27/11 – Berghain/Kantin – Berlin, Germany
28/11 – Chemiefabrik – Dresden, Germany
29/11 – 2progi – Poznan, Poland
30/11 – Hydrozagadka – Warsaw, Poland
01/12 – Kamienna 12 – Krakow, Poland
02/12 – Instant – Budapest, Hungary
03/12 – Kasarna Karlin – Prague, Czech Republic
05/12 – Legend Club Milano – Milan, Italy
06/12 – Teatro Perla – Bologna, Italy
07/12 – Magazzino Sul Po – Turin, Italy
08/12 – La Port Franc – Sion, Switzerland

 

 

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/a-a-williams-releases-cover-of-placebo-hit-without-you-im-nothing-and-announces-uk-and-europe-tour/feed/ 0 Sleep Token Issue Statement To Fans On False Claims Of Band Membership https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-issue-statement-to-fans-on-false-claims-of-band-membership/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-issue-statement-to-fans-on-false-claims-of-band-membership/#comments Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:47:23 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=64401 British alternative metal band Sleep Token have taken issue with members of the public appearing to claim that they are in the band. The mystery surrounding who the actual members are has long captivated Sleep Token’s audience, with some going so far as to take false credit for being a part of the quartet.


Sleep Token have taken the world by storm over the course of the recent year, selling out shows, releasing their critically acclaimed album Take Me Back To Eden and being nominated and winning numerous awards. The band affirmed their status as one of music’s hottest properties by selling out a December headlining show at Wembley Arena in under 10 minutes. A remarkable feat indeed for a band that no one knows who the members are, with their anonymity arguably adding to their appeal.

With everyone remaining more or less clueless as to who comprises the masked individuals, it has, perhaps inevitably, led to some disreputable members of the public trying to convince the masses that they are, in fact, members of Sleep Token. And, unsurprisingly, this does not sit well with the band who have thus far painstakingly guarded their identities.

Not only have the band rigorously protected their secret, their legion of fans have also fiercely safeguarded the band’s anonymity, despite various internet sources claiming to have worked out who the members are. It is the fact that apparent scammers have been reaching out to the fanbase and posing as members of the band, that have moved Sleep Token to address the false information being spread throughout their community.

In a message to their supporters via Instagram, the band have stated, “followers, it has been brought to our attention that a number of unscrupulous individuals have been masquerading as members of the Sleep Token collective, in order to exploit members of our extended community. Let it be known any unsolciited contact from ANY person claiming to be a member of the collective should be disregarded, and their profile reported to the relevant administration. We thank you for your understanding.”

While it may come as little surprise to casual observers of the band that some people may look to capitalise on Sleep Token’s mysterious membership, other ‘anonymous’ bands have faced similar intrigue in the past. Slipknot members have long given up their rigid hold on their anonymity, although newer members are often nameless for large periods of time and Tobias Forge remains the only (certain) member outed in Ghost.

Remaining unknown is an important facet of what makes Sleep Token so fascinating and the actual members of the band undoubtedly plan to continue the mystery for as long as possible.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-issue-statement-to-fans-on-false-claims-of-band-membership/feed/ 0 Reading And Leeds Festival Remains One Of UK’s Biggest Draws With Thrilling Performances For 2023 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/reading-and-leeds-festival-remains-one-of-uks-biggest-draws-with-thrilling-performances-for-2023/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/reading-and-leeds-festival-remains-one-of-uks-biggest-draws-with-thrilling-performances-for-2023/#comments Sun, 03 Sep 2023 11:35:12 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=64261 Reading and Leeds Festival (25-27 August) still remains one of the UK’s most unmissable live events and this year’s edition certainly packed enough into its star-studded weekend to satisfy music lovers many times over. Perhaps the only criticism that festival-goers could direct at the event is that, inevitably, the party had to come to an end but the highlights will live long in the memory for those lucky enough to have attended.

The action commenced on Friday, with a career defining performance from You Me At Six (featuring a cameo appearance by Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari), which set the tone for the festival-assuring crowds that the acts preparing to hit the famous stages were ready to bring their A game.


And the first day could be best summed up by Sam Fender’s everyman, emotional performance as Friday night’s headliner. Fender, playing the role of humble musician perfectly, perhaps best reflects the thousands of spectators gathered at Reading and Leeds-appealing to the crowd that he is merely one of them and would happily play the role of underdog. While the warm sentiment will have pleased most in front of him, chances are Fender’s career will continue to hit greater and loftier heights in the future.

Saturday picked up right where the festival left off the night before with, arguably, a sneak peek of what may be to come, after Sleep Token added yet another huge notch to their gig belt with an atmospheric performance on the Festival Republic Stage. The band just seem to be gaining in status with each month that goes by and there is no telling where the band can aspire to.


But the Main Stage West was treated to something special indeed when the disappointment of Lewis Capaldi was assuaged by the nostalgia inducing set of his replacement, The 1975. The band opted to perform their 2013 eponymous record in full, transporting the audience back 10 years when the band had the world beckoning. The 1975 proved that even a decade removed, the self-titled album still resonates, with even the newly initiated finding something to nod their heads along to.

Of course, not to be outdone, The Killers delivered a set to remember, even at one point featuring a young teen playing drums on “For Reasons Unknown.” The band have long been indie rock’s crown jewel and the band proved their credentials with a headlining set that all but cements them as one of the greatest of their generation.


The final day for the festival promised to be one of the most defining of the weekend and with Imagine Dragons headlining Main Stage West, it certainly got off to the right start. Delivering pure, feel good vibes, the band set the excitement up perfectly for Sunday night’s headliner.

It is simply stunning that Billie Eilish is the youngest performer ever to headline the Main Stage at only 21 years old, but the singer graced the stage like the conquering hero she is. Featuring her hit song from the Barbie soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?” Eilish’s proven success was laid bare for all to see, as her staggering 20 song setlist delivered exactly what festival-goers were craving, marking a thrilling and satisfying end to one of the UK’s most beloved festival experiences.

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/reading-and-leeds-festival-remains-one-of-uks-biggest-draws-with-thrilling-performances-for-2023/feed/ 0 Sleep Token Near First Ever Top 10 Album According to Official Charts https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-near-first-ever-top-10-album-according-to-official-charts/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/sleep-token-near-first-ever-top-10-album-according-to-official-charts/#comments Tue, 23 May 2023 12:53:54 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=61828 UK based metal bands Sleep Token and Def Leppard soar to the top of the Official Charts, with the former nearing their first ever top ten spot.