What began as a whisper in the underground has since become a deafening roar, positioning Sleep Token as one of the most innovative and divisive forces in the modern rock and metal landscape.
Their story begins not in a rehearsal room or through social media, but in myth. Fronted by the enigmatic “Vessel”, whose identity, miraculously remains officially undisclosed to this day, Sleep Token’s earliest releases in 2016 quietly circulated among niche online forums and streaming platforms. With tracks like “Thread the Needle” and the haunting “Calcutta” [see below], there was a clear sense that this was not just a band, it was a fully realised artistic vision.
The debut album “Sundowning” (2019) marked their first major breakthrough. A concept record tied to a solar cycle, it was unveiled one song at a time, every two weeks, at sundown. The staggered release echoed the band’s ritualistic aesthetic and allowed fans to digest each track as a sacred offering.
Musically, “Sundowning” was impossible to categorise, equal parts ambient electronica, post-rock, alt-R&B, and metalcore and critics were divided. Some praised the bands’ ambition, while others were unsure where it fit. But the most important factor was that the listener connection was undeniable. The fanbase, self-described as “Worshippers”, began to grow.
2021’s “This Place Will Become Your Tomb” saw the band solidify its sound and scale. Expanding on the foundation laid by their debut, the album was more polished, more dynamic, and more emotionally arresting.
Tracks like “The Love You Want” and “Alkaline” showcased Vessel’s extraordinary vocal control, capable of soft falsetto croons and gut-wrenching screams. The band’s blending of genres wasn’t just for effect—it was the entire point. They didn’t fit in a scene. They simply created their own.
Live performances only deepened the mystery. No interviews, no banter, just ritual. The band played in robes and masks, backs turned to the audience or engulfed in strobes and smoke. Every show felt like a ceremony. There was an almost spiritual atmosphere around Sleep Token gigs, where audiences sang every word with the fervour of a cult gathering, united in grief, joy, pain and catharsis.
Then came “Take Me Back to Eden” in 2023, an album that sent shockwaves through not just heavy music, but mainstream press too. It debuted in the Top 10 of the UK Albums Chart, featured in end-of-year lists from metal magazines and indie blogs alike, and further pushed the boundaries of what “metal” could mean.
Tracks like “The Summoning” fused Meshuggah-style grooves with Prince-like funk interludes. “Granite” and “DYWTYLM” flirted with hyper-pop and R&B. This wasn’t crossover appeal, it was genre disintegration. And it worked better than anyone could have every anticipated.
Earlier this month, Sleep Token unveiled their fourth full-length record, “Even in Arcadia”, a sprawling, emotionally charged opus that has already broken the band’s previous chart records. Debuting at No.1 in the UK, Australia and Germany, number 3 in the Irish charts, and entering the Top 5 in the US Billboard 200, the album showcases a further refinement of their sonic palette.
From the thunderous, polyrhythmic assault of “Labyrinthine” to the tear-stained vulnerability of “Bury Me Beneath It”, “Even in Arcadia” is proof that the band’s evolution is not only ongoing but accelerating. It’s a record that confirms what Worshippers have known all along: Sleep Token are no longer just leading the charge, they are the moment.
What’s most staggering about Sleep Token’s rise is how much they’ve achieved without revealing themselves. No names, no egos, no scandals. Just music. In an era defined by overexposure and personal branding, Sleep Token have instead pulled fans inward, making them part of the ritual, not just spectators. It’s a rejection of celebrity and a celebration of art.
Their success has also opened doors for a new generation of heavy artists unafraid to be different. Bands like Loathe, Spiritbox and even Bring Me the Horizon have cited Sleep Token as a point of reference in how far modern heavy music can stretch when it breaks from tradition. There’s a bravery in their songwriting, a willingness to be tender, to be strange, to be true, that resonates deeply with a generation navigating mental health struggles, emotional disconnect, and existential uncertainty.
As of 2025, Sleep Token aren’t just rising, they are becoming one of the most talked-about bands in the world. Their shows are selling out globally. Their vinyl sells in limited-run batches that vanish in minutes. And now, they’re being studied as much as they’re being celebrated. No longer just a band, Sleep Token have become a phenomenon.
Photo Credit: Andy Ford
For fans, collectors and Worshippers alike, Overdrive.ie are giving you a chance to bring part of the ritual home. To celebrate Sleep Token’s continued ascent, Overdrive are giving away three copies of the limited edition Indie Store Exclusive triple gatefold, double metallic vinyl of “Even in Arcadia”.
To enter:
1 Like / follow @overdrive.ie on Facebook or Instagram
2 Share the original competition post on your news feed as a public post.
Winners will be selected at random on 30.05.25 and contacted privately in line with GDPR guidelines. Please be vigilant and don’t respond to fake accounts claiming to be Overdrive, we will NEVER ask for personal financial details.
Pick up a limited vinyl (while stocks last) from this link.
Whether you’re a long-time Worshipper or new to the temple, this is a prize worth singing your soul for.
Let the ritual continue.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2025