Sleep Token is an anonymous English rock band from London, formed in 2016, renowned for their masked performances and a distinctive fusion of alternative metal, progressive metal, R&B, pop, and electronic elements.[1][2][3] The band's members maintain strict anonymity, with the frontman and primary songwriter known only as Vessel, and the others designated as II (drums), III (bass), and IV (guitar).[3][4]Central to Sleep Token's identity is an elaborate fictional lore portraying the group as devotees of an ancient deity called Sleep, with live shows framed as "rituals" and albums as "offerings" to this entity.[3] This mythology has fostered a devoted fanbase divided into "houses" such as the Feathered Host and House Veridian, who engage deeply with the band's narrative through online communities and fan theories.[3] Emerging during the mid-2010s, the band initially built a cult following through self-released EPs One (2016) and Two (2019), before signing with Spinefarm Records and releasing their debut studio album Sundowning in 2019.[5][4]Sleep Token's breakthrough came with subsequent albums This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021) and Take Me Back to Eden (2023), the latter earning critical acclaim including a five-star review from NME for its emotional depth and genre-defying songwriting.[5][6] In 2024, they signed a new deal with RCA Records, marking a shift from their independent roots.[5] Their fourth studio album, Even in Arcadia (2025), debuted at number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200, solidifying their status as one of the biggest British rock acts of the era, earning 2026 Grammy Award nominations including for Best Metal Performance and Best Rock Song, and highlighting their crossover appeal beyond traditional metal audiences.[1][7][8] The band has headlined major festivals like Download in 2025 and sold out arena tours across the UK and North America, driven largely by fan enthusiasm and viral hits such as "The Summoning" and "Chokehold."[3][9]
History
2016–2019: Formation and early releases
Sleep Token formed in London in 2016 as an anonymous collective of masked musicians devoted to an ancient deity referred to as "Sleep."<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> The band's frontman, known only by the moniker Vessel, has recounted that Sleep appeared to him in a dream, promising eternal glory in exchange for unwavering devotion, with every song crafted thereafter serving as a ritualistic offering to the entity.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Maintaining strict anonymity, the group—comprising Vessel alongside II on drums, III on bass, and IV on guitar—eschewed traditional publicity, instead teasing their existence through cryptic social media posts featuring alchemical symbols and occult-inspired visuals that captivated early online followers.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render>The collective debuted with the single "Thread the Needle" on September 8, 2016, followed shortly by their self-released EP One on December 2, which included "Thread the Needle," "Fields of Elation," and "When the Bough Breaks."<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> In 2017, Sleep Token signed a distribution deal with Basick Records, releasing the singles "Calcutta" in May and "Nazareth" in June, before issuing EP Two on July 21, featuring those tracks alongside "Jericho."<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> These early releases, characterized by a blend of progressive metal elements and atmospheric electronica, began attracting a niche audience in the UK underground scene.Sleep Token's live debut occurred on June 17, 2017, at The Black Heart in London, with subsequent shows serving as support acts at festivals including Download Festival, Reading and Leeds Festivals, and Tech Fest in 2018, where their ritualistic performances and masked personas helped foster a dedicated cult following.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> The band's first headline concert took place at St Pancras Old Church on October 11, 2018, selling out in 30 seconds and marking a pivotal moment in their grassroots ascent.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render>In June 2019, Sleep Token signed with Spinefarm Records, expanding their reach while preserving anonymity.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> This deal facilitated the release of their debut studio album Sundowning on November 22, 2019, a 12-track effort produced by George Lever at G1 Productions in Wells, Somerset, featuring standout singles like "The Night Does Not Belong to God" and "Blood Sport."<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation">
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</grok:render> Initially self-recorded and independent in spirit, the album's wider distribution through Spinefarm cemented the band's enigmatic presence and laid the foundation for their growing influence in alternative rock circles.
2020–2021: Sundowning and This Place Will Become Your Tomb
In June 2020, Sleep Token released a digital deluxe edition of their debut album Sundowning via Spinefarm Records, featuring four bonus tracks including the original "Blood Sport," "Shelter," and covers of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and Billie Eilish's "When the Party's Over."[10] This re-release was accompanied by visualizers for "The Night Does Not Belong to God" and "Blood Sport," which helped drive initial streaming momentum on platforms like Spotify, where tracks from the album began accumulating significant plays amid growing online buzz.[11][12]The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited live activities throughout 2020, forcing the band to pivot toward digital promotion and online engagement rather than tours or in-person events. This shift emphasized visual content and streaming, allowing Sleep Token to maintain visibility without physical performances.In early 2021, Sleep Token announced their second studio album, This Place Will Become Your Tomb, alongside the lead single "Alkaline," which was released on June 18 with a accompanying music video depicting ritualistic and eerie imagery.[13] The album was recorded earlier that year at G1 Productions in Wells, Somerset, and produced by George Lever in collaboration with Vessel, incorporating expanded instrumentation such as layered synths, atmospheric effects, and subtle orchestral touches to deepen the sound's immersion.[14] Drummer II contributed significantly to the production, refining the rhythmic foundations that underpin the album's dynamic shifts.This Place Will Become Your Tomb arrived on September 24, 2021, comprising 12 tracks including "Atlantic" and "Alkaline," and centered on an underwater concept reflected in its artwork of a submerged figure and promotional materials assigning increasing ocean depths to each song, symbolizing descent and introspection.[15][16] The album's themes loosely evoke worship of the deity "Sleep" through motifs of surrender and ritual, tying into the band's broader mythology.[17] Lead singles "Atlantic," released in September, and "Alkaline" both entered metal and alternative charts, with "Alkaline" debuting at No. 6 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart.That spring, the band participated in the Download Pilot Festival on June 18, 2021—a controlled live event testing COVID-safe protocols—which marked one of their first public appearances in over a year and helped bridge the gap to full virtual and digital outreach.[18] Digital releases of the new material provided the band's initial substantial U.S. exposure, as streaming platforms distributed the singles and album globally, reinforcing Sleep Token's reputation for blending alternative metal, R&B, and electronic elements in a way that transcended traditional genre boundaries.
2022–2023: Take Me Back to Eden
In early 2023, Sleep Token initiated the promotional cycle for their third studio album with a series of teaser singles that showcased an evolving, more expansive sound. "Chokehold" arrived on January 5, followed by "The Summoning" on January 6, the latter gaining massive traction through viral videos on TikTok and introducing the band to a broader audience. "Granite" and "Aqua Regia" were released shortly after on January 19 and 20, respectively, blending their signature atmospheric style with subtle R&B and pop influences. Throughout these promotions, the band upheld their tradition of anonymity, appearing in masked form during limited visual teasers and live previews.On February 16, 2023, Sleep Token formally announced Take Me Back to Eden, their third full-length album, slated for release on May 19 via Spinefarm Records, coinciding with the debut of the aggressive single "Vore." Vessel oversaw primary production duties in collaboration with Carl Bown, crafting a 12-track record that delves into themes of emotional turmoil, love, loss, and self-discovery, presented as an "ambitious, emotional monolith." The album's narrative arc reflects a journey through personal darkness and catharsis, building on the band's lore surrounding Vessel's fraught relationship with the ancient deity Sleep.Take Me Back to Eden was released on May 19, 2023, featuring standout tracks such as "The Summoning," "Vore," and the piano-driven closer "Euclid," and it marked the band's commercial breakthrough by debuting at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart with 16,700 equivalent units in its first week. In the United States, it entered the Billboard 200 at No. 16, their highest charting position there to date. The pre-release hype from the singles, particularly "The Summoning"'s social media momentum, propelled streaming numbers and fan engagement, solidifying Sleep Token's shift from cult favorites to mainstream contenders.Capitalizing on this success, Sleep Token announced their first headline arena performance at London's OVO Arena Wembley on December 16, 2023, on May 31; the 12,500-capacity show sold out in under 10 minutes, underscoring their surging demand. Later in 2023, the band embarked on international expansion through the Rituals Tour, a headline run across Europe in summer and North America from September to October, supplemented by festival appearances at events like Download Festival and Aftershock, which further elevated their global profile.
2024–2025: Even in Arcadia
In February 2024, Sleep Token signed with RCA Records, marking a shift from their previous tenure with Spinefarm Records and aiming to expand their international presence through the major label's resources.[19][20]On March 13, 2025, the band announced their fourth studio album, Even in Arcadia, set for release on May 9, 2025, via RCA Records, accompanied by the lead single "Emergence."[21][22] The album's tracklist features ten songs, including "Emergence," "Caramel," and "Even in Arcadia," exploring themes of mythology and utopian ideals juxtaposed with underlying mortality.[23]Subsequent singles included "Caramel," released on April 4, 2025; "Emergence" and "Caramel" received 2026 Grammy nominations, including Best Metal Performance for "Emergence" and Best Rock Song for "Caramel," announced on November 7, 2025.[24]The band revealed plans for the Even in Arcadia Tour, their sole headline run of 2025, commencing in North America on September 16, 2025, at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia, and concluding on October 11, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.[25][26]Throughout 2025, Sleep Token made notable festival appearances, headlining the Apex Stage at Download Festival on June 14, 2025, at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England, and performing at Louder Than Life on September 19, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.[27][28]
Artistry
Musical style and influences
Sleep Token's music is primarily characterized as alternative metal, incorporating progressive structures, djent riffs, and atmospheric textures that create a genre-blending soundscape.[29] The band's core style draws from heavy, down-tuned guitar work and intricate rhythms, often juxtaposed with melodic and ethereal elements to evoke emotional depth. This fusion is evident in tracks like "The Summoning," where slashing guitars and heavy riffs transition into celestial choruses and retro funk grooves, highlighting their ability to shift dynamically between intensity and subtlety.[29]The group further integrates influences from R&B, soul, pop, and electronic music, manifesting in falsetto vocals, layered synths, trap beats, and jazz piano accents that add vulnerability and sensuality to their compositions. For instance, songs such as "Dark Signs" employ trap drums and electronic pulses before pivoting to gritty rock, exemplifying their use of samples and loops to build textured, immersive atmospheres. Drummer II contributes complex, syncopated patterns that underpin these shifts, while frontman Vessel's multi-instrumental role—handling studio guitars, keyboards, bass, and production—allows for seamless genre fusion and emotional layering.[29][30]Sleep Token's influences span a wide array of artists who have shaped their experimental approach, including Meshuggah and Tesseract for technical djent riffing and melodic integration, Deftones for blending metal with shoegaze-like sensuality, and Nine Inch Nails for electronic-rock hybrids that inform their digital and atmospheric pulses. Additional progenitors include Leprous for dynamic progressive structures, Failure for bleak introspection (a particular favorite of Vessel), and Shining for sophisticated jazz-infused black metal elements.[31]The band's sound has evolved significantly across their discography, beginning with the raw aggression and hazy nu-metal/djent hybrids of Sundowning (2019), which featured softer, exploratory edges in tracks like "Gods" and "The Offering." Subsequent releases like This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021) amplified guitar-driven intensity and streamlined compositions, while Take Me Back to Eden (2023) pushed experimental boundaries with bolder heavy-light contrasts. Their latest album, Even in Arcadia (2025), refines this into a polished, cinematic production incorporating auto-tune effects and a guest saxophone performance by Gabi Rose on "Emergence," alongside deeper R&B explorations, emphasizing genre fusion and emotional resonance.[29][32][33]Vessel's self-directed production techniques prioritize emotional dynamics, utilizing hyper-clean layering, vocal modulation for resonance, and meticulous genre blending to craft ritualistic, immersive experiences. Collaborations with producer George Lever enhanced this process on their earlier albums, focusing on primal emotions through precise note resonance and textural depth without compromising the band's core heaviness, while Even in Arcadia was produced by Carl Bown with Vessel co-producing.[34]
Lyrical themes and songwriting
Sleep Token's lyrics revolve around the central theme of devotion to an ancient deity known as "Sleep," portrayed as a being embodying rest, oblivion, and transcendence, with each song serving as an offering or "token" to this entity.[35][36] This concept was introduced in early releases like the 2016 EP One, particularly in "Thread the Needle," where lines such as "Bury me inside this labyrinthine bed" evoke a ritualistic surrender to Sleep's influence.[37] Vessel, the band's primary songwriter, has described the process as crafting verses to "magnify and embody the multitude of emotion that writhes in our subconscious," blending personal vulnerability with spiritual universality to project Sleep's message.[35]Recurring motifs include love, heartbreak, addiction, and self-destruction, often conveyed through abstract, poetic language that invites interpretive depth via repetition and ambiguity. For instance, "Atlantic" from Sundowning (2019) uses oceanic imagery as a metaphor for emotional drowning in a toxic relationship, while "Fields of Elation" from One explores dependency with phrases like "Your name is a sin I breathe, like oxygen."[37] These themes frame interpersonal struggles as extensions of Vessel's fraught bond with Sleep, depicted as a possessive force leading to betrayal and abandonment, as seen in lyrics from "The Summoning" questioning, "Did I mistake you for a sign from God?"[36] The band's discography features largely no collaborations or guest features, with the exception of a guest saxophone on Even in Arcadia's "Emergence," preserving a singular authorial voice centered on Vessel and drummer II's contributions.[34][33]The band's narrative arcs progress across albums, forming a conceptual trilogy followed by a thematic shift. Sundowning (2019) focuses on awakening rituals and initial obsession, This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021) delves into descent and isolation amid relational decay, and Take Me Back to Eden (2023) confronts chaos and cycles of longing through repeated imagery like biblical references.[37]Even in Arcadia (2025) pursues an idealized escape, reflecting post-devotion life with lingering echoes of Sleep in tracks like "Dangerous" ("You've got me talking in my sleep") while grappling with fame and identity.[38] Vessel's introspective approach draws from the human condition, aiming to "touch people in their hearts and subconscious minds" without explicit linearity.[35]Vessel's vocal delivery enhances thematic immersion, transitioning from whispered, intimate verses to soaring choruses that amplify emotional peaks, as in "When the Bough Breaks" ("You don’t really love, you just hate to be alone"), fostering a sense of personal revelation over direct storytelling.[37][36]
Identity and members
Anonymity and visual identity
Sleep Token's philosophy of anonymity positions the band as a "vessel" for their music and the ancient deity "Sleep," emphasizing the prioritization of artistic expression over individual personalities. According to Vessel, the frontman, this approach stems from a belief that "art has become entangled with identity," allowing the collective to serve as a conduit for the deity's offerings without personal egos interfering. Formed in 2016, the band announced this ethos from the outset, framing themselves as devotees tasked with delivering "tokens" to Sleep in exchange for promised glory and magnificence.[39][40]Central to their visual identity are black hooded attire, distinctive masks, and ritualistic staging elements that enhance the cult-like persona. Vessel wears evolving, custom-designed masks that shift with each era, while the other members—known as II, III, and IV—don numbered, minimalist masks to maintain uniformity and anonymity. Performances feature dim, atmospheric lighting, symbolic altars, and cloaked figures, creating an immersive, otherworldly experience that underscores the band's devotion to Sleep.[36][39]The band's identity has evolved through cryptic teasers and symbolic artwork since their 2016 inception. Early promotions involved enigmatic symbols and bind runes drawn from Elder Futhark and alchemical motifs, building anticipation without revealing personal details. Album covers progressed to ethereal, mythological imagery, such as the underwater, submerged landscapes on This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021), evoking themes of descent and ritual immersion with depths assigned to each track starting at 914 meters.[40][16]Sleep Token enforces strict policies to preserve anonymity, prohibiting the revelation of real names or faces in media and managing all social media channels without personal identifiers. In response to a 2024 doxxing incident where a fan leaked bassist III's birth certificate and address online, the band wiped their Instagram page and updated their bio to "nothing lasts forever," subtly reinforcing boundaries without direct commentary.[41][42]This deliberate mystique has profoundly impacted the band's branding, fostering a dedicated community engaged in fan theories, lore interpretations, and self-organized rituals that the group neither endorses nor refutes. The anonymity encourages worship-like devotion among fans, who refer to concerts as "rituals" and analyze symbols for hidden meanings, amplifying the collective's enigmatic allure.[36][40]In 2025, with the release of Even in Arcadia, the visual identity saw subtle refinements, including skull-style masks adorned with shimmering veils for non-Vessel members, aligning with the album's utopian Arcadian themes of ethereal paradise and refined mysticism. These updates maintain the core aesthetic while introducing layered, iridescent elements to evoke a sense of evolved divinity.[43]
Band members
Sleep Token functions as an anonymous collective, with all members maintaining their privacy through stage names and masks, eschewing confirmed real identities despite unverified public speculations. The band's primary creative force is Vessel, who has served as lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, and producer since the group's formation in 2016.[34] Drummer II, a founding member, specializes in percussion and rhythmic complexity, co-writing much of the material alongside Vessel.[44][34]To support expanding live performances, the lineup includes touring members III (bass and backing vocals) and IV (guitar and backing vocals).[45] Live shows are further supported by the backing vocal trio Espera.[45] In studio recordings, Vessel oversees the majority of production and instrumentation, with II contributing percussion, while III and IV focus primarily on live duties.[34] The current configuration has remained stable without any public departures.[46]
Discography
Studio albums
Sleep Token's debut studio album, Sundowning, was self-released on November 21, 2019, and later reissued in deluxe form by Spinefarm Records in 2020.[10][47] The album consists of 12 tracks, primarily written by the band's frontman Vessel, and features a blend of atmospheric rock elements. It did not initially chart on the main UK Albums Chart but achieved silver certification in the UK for 60,000 equivalent units sold as of August 2025.[48] Key tracks include "The Night Does Not Belong to God" and "Blood Sport."
No.
Title
Length
1.
"The Night Does Not Belong to God"
5:04
2.
"The Offering"
5:50
3.
"Levitate"
4:58
4.
"Dark Signs"
4:28
5.
"Higher"
5:21
6.
"Take Aim"
3:39
7.
"Give"
3:56
8.
"Gods"
3:25
9.
"Sugar"
4:52
10.
"Say That You Will"
5:03
11.
"Drag Me Under"
3:56
12.
"Blood Sport"
4:07
The band's second studio album, This Place Will Become Your Tomb, was released on September 24, 2021, through Spinefarm Records and comprises 12 tracks, with Vessel as the primary songwriter.[49] It debuted and peaked at No. 39 on the UK Albums Chart.[49] Notable tracks include "Atlantic" and "Alkaline."
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Atlantic"
4:53
2.
"Hypnosis"
5:35
3.
"Mine"
4:56
4.
"Like That"
3:34
5.
"The Love You Want"
4:23
6.
"Fall for Me"
2:26
7.
"Alkaline"
3:10
8.
"Distraction"
4:22
9.
"Descending"
4:38
10.
"Telomeres"
5:18
11.
"High Water"
5:13
12.
"Missing Limbs"
3:20
Sleep Token's third studio album, Take Me Back to Eden, arrived on May 19, 2023, via Spinefarm Records, featuring 12 tracks largely composed by Vessel.[50] It reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 35 on the US Billboard 200.[50][7] It has been certified silver (60,000 units) and gold (100,000 units) in the UK as of July 2025.[51] Standout tracks are "The Summoning," which earned RIAA gold certification for 500,000 units in the US, and "Vore."[52]
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Chokehold"
5:04
2.
"The Summoning"
6:35
3.
"Granite"
3:45
4.
"Aqua Regia"
3:56
5.
"Vore"
5:39
6.
"Ascensionism"
7:08
7.
"Are You Really Okay?"
4:21
8.
"The Apparition"
5:42
9.
"DYWTYLM"
4:39
10.
"Rectify"
4:40
11.
"Rain"
5:42
12.
"Take Me Back to Eden"
8:18
The fourth studio album, Even in Arcadia, was released on May 9, 2025, by RCA Records, containing 10 tracks written primarily by Vessel with contributions from II on music.[53] It debuted at No. 1 on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, marking the band's first chart-topping release in each territory.[53][7] Production incorporated expanded orchestral elements for a richer sonic palette. Key tracks include "Emergence" and "Caramel."
No.
Title
Length
1.
"Look to Windward"
7:46
2.
"Emergence"
6:26
3.
"Past Self"
3:34
4.
"Dangerous"
4:11
5.
"Caramel"
4:50
6.
"Even in Arcadia"
4:28
7.
"Provider"
5:12
8.
"The Offering II"
3:45
9.
"House Veridian"
6:02
10.
"Feathered Host"
5:18
Singles and EPs
Sleep Token's early discography consists of two self-released extended plays prior to their full-length albums. The debut EP, One, was self-released on December 2, 2016, and features six tracks, including piano versions of "Thread the Needle," "Fields of Elation," and "When the Bough Breaks."[54] The follow-up EP, Two, was issued on July 21, 2017, via Basick Records, comprising three tracks: "Calcutta," "Nazareth," and "Jericho."[55] These EPs established the band's anonymous, atmospheric sound and were distributed digitally and on limited physical formats, laying the foundation for their later releases.The band's singles from 2016 to 2019 primarily served as lead tracks for their EPs and early promotions, with limited mainstream chart impact but strong reception in rock circles. "Thread the Needle," released in September 2016, marked Sleep Token's debut single and introduced their masked persona.[37] In 2018, "Jaws" gained traction in alternative metal playlists and live sets. These early singles, often tied to the EPs, had no official B-sides and focused on building underground buzz without widespread commercial metrics at the time.During 2020–2021, Sleep Token's singles aligned with their second album This Place Will Become Your Tomb, emphasizing emotional depth. "Atlantic," released in July 2021, peaked at No. 8 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart, while "Alkaline" followed later that year, contributing to the album's promotion through streaming platforms. Both tracks highlighted the band's evolving blend of metal and R&B elements, amassing millions of streams but remaining outside the main UK Singles Chart.The 2022–2023 period saw Sleep Token's breakthrough with singles from Take Me Back to Eden. "The Summoning," released in January 2023, became a viral hit, peaking at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and surpassing 266 million Spotify streams by late 2025. "Vore" and "Granite," also from 2023, supported the album's rollout, with "Vore" entering rock charts and gaining attention for its intense instrumentation.In 2024–2025, singles from Even in Arcadia propelled the band to mainstream success. "Emergence," released March 13, 2025, debuted at No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart and was submitted for the 2026 Grammy Awards in the Best Metal Performance category. "Caramel," issued April 4, 2025, achieved No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart and earned a 2026 Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song.[56] These releases, like prior singles, lacked dedicated B-sides and were integral to album campaigns, driving over 500 million combined streams across platforms by November 2025.[57]
Title
Release Date
Album/EP Association
Peak Chart Position
Thread the Needle
September 2016
One
-
Jaws
January 2018
Standalone
-
Atlantic
July 2021
This Place Will Become Your Tomb
No. 8 UK Rock & Metal
Alkaline
September 2021
This Place Will Become Your Tomb
-
The Summoning
January 2023
Take Me Back to Eden
No. 4 UK Singles
Vore
February 2023
Take Me Back to Eden
-
Granite
April 2023
Take Me Back to Eden
-
Emergence
March 13, 2025
Even in Arcadia
No. 17 UK Singles
Caramel
April 4, 2025
Even in Arcadia
No. 10 UK Singles
Tours and live performances
Early and supporting tours (2017–2021)
Sleep Token's live career began in 2017 with a series of intimate club performances across the UK, promoting their debut EP One and follow-up Two. Their early shows included support for Perturbator at the University of London Union on November 16, 2017, where the band's ritualistic setup—featuring dim lighting, hooded figures, and a sense of mystery—began to captivate small audiences in venues like The Underworld.[58]In 2018 and 2019, Sleep Token expanded their presence through support slots on European tours, opening for acts such as Loathe and Holding Absence on their co-headline "This Is As One" tour, including dates at London's Boston Music Room on March 8, 2018, and Manchester's Star and Garter on March 1, 2018. These performances, typically lasting 45 to 60 minutes, focused on tracks from their EPs and singles like "Thread the Needle" and "Calcutta," delivered with evolving setlists that emphasized atmospheric builds and emotional intensity. The band also played festival slots at events including The Great Escape, Camden Rocks, Download Festival (Dogtooth tent, 2018), Techfest, and Reading & Leeds, gradually building grassroots momentum through sold-out headline "rituals" such as their debut full show at St. Pancras Old Church in London on October 11, 2018, which sold out in 30 seconds.[59][60][4]The release of their debut album Sundowning in November 2019 prompted a promotional UK and Ireland tour of 10 dates in December, including stops at small venues that fostered a dedicated "Token" fan community through exclusive merchandise and immersive lore tied to their visual identity. Their setlists during this period incorporated album tracks like "The Night Does Not Belong to God" alongside earlier material, maintaining the masked, dimly lit aesthetic to enhance the ritualistic experience. In early 2020, Sleep Token debuted in North America with a support tour for Issues alongside Polyphia and Lil Aaron, further solidifying their international appeal before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans.[4][61]The pandemic led to widespread cancellations of 2020 shows, prompting the band to pivot to virtual formats, including a livestreamed "ritual" on March 20, 2020, in celebration of the Spring Equinox, and online album listening events for Sundowning to maintain fan engagement. By 2021, live performances resumed on a limited basis with an eight-date UK and Ireland headline tour in November, supporting This Place Will Become Your Tomb and featuring AA Williams as support on most dates; the run kicked off at The Foundry in Torquay on November 12 and included stops in Birmingham, Glasgow, Sheffield, Dublin, Manchester, and Cardiff. These shows marked some of the band's first post-pandemic outings, with setlists evolving to highlight new material like "Atlantic" and "Hypnosis" while preserving the 45–60 minute format and intimate, community-driven atmosphere that sold out venues and strengthened their cult following.[62][63][64]
Headlining tours (2022–2025)
Sleep Token's transition to headlining status began in late 2022 with the announcement of their largest UK tour at the time, a five-date run in January 2023 supported by Northlane, featuring stops at prominent venues like London's O2 Academy Brixton. This marked a significant step up from prior supporting roles, playing to audiences in mid-sized indoor arenas as the band built momentum ahead of their third album. The tour highlighted their growing domestic fanbase, with setlists drawing heavily from Sundowning and This Place Will Become Your Tomb.[65]In April 2023, Sleep Token revealed their first dedicated US headlining outing, a 21-date "Rituals" tour from September to October, promoting Take Me Back to Eden (released May 19, 2023) and flanked by festival slots at Blue Ridge Rock Fest and Aftershock Festival. Venues ranged from theaters to mid-capacity halls, averaging around 2,000 attendees, allowing the band to refine their live ritual with expanded sets of 15-18 songs incorporating tracks like "The Summoning" and "Vore." The run underscored their international breakthrough, following viral success from the album's singles.[66][67]The Take Me Back to Eden era extended through 2023-2024 with additional headline dates across Europe, North America, and Australia, culminating in a standalone Wembley Arena show announced in May 2023 for December 16. The 12,500-capacity performance sold out in under 10 minutes, but faced challenges when Vessel suffered vocal strain mid-set, prompting audience-led chants for songs like "Rain" and "The Summoning" to sustain the ritual. Production elements, including incense, synchronized lighting, and lore-inspired video projections, amplified the immersive experience, with pyrotechnics added for larger venues. Support acts included Northlane on UK dates.[68][69]The 2024 leg, dubbed the Teeth of God Tour, comprised over 50 dates worldwide (approximately 33 in North America and 14 in Europe), including a spring North American stretch with Empire State Bastard and Loathe opening select shows, hitting sold-out landmarks like Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Radio City Music Hall. European dates followed in November, expanding setlists to blend older material with Take Me Back to Eden deep cuts. Festival appearances, such as Louder Than Life (2023), incorporated ritualistic audience participation and enhanced visuals depicting the band's mythological narrative.[70][71][72]In 2025, the Even in Arcadia Tour represented Sleep Token's most ambitious headlining effort yet, a 17-date US arena run promoted by AEG from September 16 in Duluth, Georgia, to October 11 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Playing venues over 10,000 capacity, like Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the tour featured Thornhill as support and marked the band's sole headline series of the year, concluding with sold-out shows and multiple live debuts from Even in Arcadia. Elaborate production—pyrotechnics, dynamic video screens narrating their lore, and interactive chants—elevated the rituals, with sets reaching 18 songs. Festival highlights included a historic Download Festival headline slot in June, delivering a two-hour performance blending all albums, alongside Louder Than Life in 2025, all emphasizing the band's evolving visual and atmospheric identity.[73][74][75][76][26]
Reception
Critical reception
Sleep Token's early releases from 2016 to 2019, including the debut EP One and the 2019 album Sundowning, earned underground acclaim for their enigmatic anonymity and genre-blending sound that fused progressive metal, R&B, and atmospheric elements. Critics praised the mysterious aura and emotional intensity, with Sundowning highlighted for its haunting debut quality and innovative mix of heavy riffs and melodic vulnerability. Mainstream exposure remained limited during this phase, but the band's intrigue fostered a dedicated cult following within metal circles.[77]The band's debut studio album Sundowning (2019) and follow-up This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021) solidified positive critical sentiment, particularly for their immersive atmospheres and emotional resonance. Kerrang! rated This Place Will Become Your Tomb 3/5, lauding its "drowning in emotion" quality through disarming falsetto builds and explosive synth-driven crescendos.[78] While some reviewers critiqued occasional repetitiveness in song structures, the albums were generally celebrated for evoking profound vulnerability and sonic depth.[79]Take Me Back to Eden (2023) represented a critical breakthrough, with reviewers hailing it as a bold evolution. NME awarded it 5/5 stars, describing the album as a "genre-defying triumph" and an "ambitious, emotional monolith" poised for classic status.[6] The viral single "The Summoning" drew particular praise for its infectious catchiness and genre-mashing appeal, contributing to the album's aggregated Metacritic score of 60/100.[80]Sleep Token's fourth album, Even in Arcadia (2025), elicited mixed-to-positive responses, balancing ambition with occasional excess. New Noise Magazine called it the band's "strongest work to date," commending the unbreakable synergy and coherent full-length execution amid its expansive scope.[81] Reviewers appreciated the thematic depth and production flair but noted critiques of overproduction and sprawling structure, reflected in its Metacritic score of 64/100.[82] Tuonela Magazine highlighted its intensity and cinematic effects, though it flagged overindulgent elements as a minor drawback.[83]Across their discography, Sleep Token's albums have received mixed-to-positive critical reception, with praise consistently emphasizing emotional depth and the band's anonymity-fueled intrigue. Critics emphasize how Vessel's veiled persona amplifies the music's thematic pull, blending vulnerability with innovation.The band's critical narrative has evolved from niche underground darling to harbingers of metal's future, as detailed in a 2025 GRAMMY.com feature positioning Sleep Token as genre-bending trailblazers through tracks like "The Summoning" and explorations of love and loss.[45]
Commercial success and awards
Sleep Token achieved significant commercial milestones with their third studio album, Take Me Back to Eden, which debuted at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart in May 2023. Their fourth album, Even in Arcadia, marked a breakthrough by reaching No. 1 on both the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200 in May 2025, selling 127,000 equivalent album units in its first week in the United States.[84][7] The single "The Summoning" from Take Me Back to Eden peaked at No. 53 on the UK Singles Chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2024, reflecting its enduring popularity.The band's streaming presence expanded rapidly, surpassing 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify by late 2025, with total streams exceeding 3 billion across their catalog.[85] "The Summoning" drove much of this growth through viral success on TikTok, amassing over 1 billion views and contributing to the band's crossover appeal.[86] By 2025, Sleep Token had sold over 500,000 album units worldwide, bolstered by strong physical and digital sales.[84]Sleep Token received the Best UK Artist award at the Heavy Music Awards in 2023. Take Me Back to Eden won Best Album at the Heavy Music Awards in 2024 and topped Billboard's Hard Rock Albums chart that year. For Even in Arcadia, the album earned Best Album in the Knotfest Fan Vote in 2025. The band earned multiple nominations at the Heavy Music Awards across years, including further nods in 2024 and 2025.In 2026, Sleep Token submitted "Emergence" from Even in Arcadia for Best Metal Performance at the Grammy Awards and were nominated in that category, alongside a submission for Best New Artist.[87][88] Their headlining tours from 2023 to 2025 grossed over $20 million, highlighted by the Even in Arcadia North American run averaging $1.4 million per show.[89]The band's cultural impact is evident in the devoted "Token" fandom, known for ritualistic concert experiences termed "Rituals" by the group, including communal worship and lore-inspired participation.[36] Their 2023 sell-out at Wembley Arena served as a tipping point, solidifying their influence on the alt-metal scene through expanded merchandise lines, such as limited-edition ritual-themed apparel available at retailers like Spencer's in 2025.[90][91][92]