Project Description

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Sleep Token

Photo – A Ford

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SLEEP TOKEN
Third Studio Album,
TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN
Album Review

(5th June 2023)

Review by Amelia Torresan, Kayla Hamilton and Stephanie Tang

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Sleep Token

Photo – A Ford

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Tracks 1-4
Chokehold, The Summoning, Granite & Aqua Regia

by Amelia Torresan (@harmonichoe)


‘Take Me Back To Eden’ begins with the previously released single, ‘Chokehold ‘. Beginning with an eerie tone and an overdrive guitar riff, the song creates a sinister atmosphere. Deep, mysterious vocals enter from Sleep Token’s frontman ‘Vessel’ whose tone is uniquely soulful, showing an effortless passion as he sings.The melody and corresponding harmonies sound so angelic and pure before immediately being contrasted with the intense drop in the instrumental to a heavy, grungy, dirty sound. The thundering bass of the bass guitar and piano in the song is paired beautifully with these vocals in the pre-chorus and chorus of the song, sounding like a darker version of those from Patrick Stump from Fall Out Boy.

I would firmly place ‘Chokehold’  in the metal genre due to its melancholy and moody sound that increases in intensity as well as the passionate emotions communicated through the lyrics. Even though this song is the first on the album, it feels almost like it should be towards the end, recapping the relationship that has happened and all the emotions associated with it. The lyrics “I’ve seen my days unfold. Done the impossible. I’ll turn my walls to gold to bring you home again” communicate feelings of regret and the hook “You’ve got me in a chokehold” is the protagonist unable to let go of the past.

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The tone of ‘The Summoning’ changes the musical flow of the album completely, going from the pensive and moody ‘Chokehold’ right into a song that has thundering instrumentals and a head-banging beat from the get-go. Following in the footsteps of ‘Chokehold’ the contrast of the heavy instrumental and the soulful, indie vocals is present once again, this time accompanied by the odd scream in the breakdowns between vocal sections. Not only do the lyrics of ‘The Summoning’ allude to the protagonist submitting to the other in a relationship sense, but they can also be connected to the ancient deity the band have mentioned that they represent: ‘Sleep.’  This is supported by not only the theme of submission (in the lyrics ‘you’ve got my body, flesh and bone’), but those of divine signals and mentions of ‘the other side.’

The melody and vocal style of the choruses are hymn-like with an electronic and piano ambiance towards the end of the song that leads into the last repeat of the lyrics, making it sound almost ethereal & holy, like ‘The Summoning’ is a spiritual experience the singer has gone through and will take the listener along too. The melody as a whole is just so beautiful and dynamic, making it so easy to listen to. This last repeat of the lyrics as a whole was cleaner and sounded more uplifting compared to the first time they were sung, almost representing a journey of denial to willingness to submit.

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Next in the album list is ‘Granite,’ switching the mood back once again. The intro of the song is deceptive, sounding almost uplifting until the melody and lyrics portray frustration and desperation with an undertone of sadness. ‘Granite’ boasts pitch-perfect harmonies that are strategically placed throughout the song and add a gorgeous level of depth to the melody and reiterate the message of the lyrics of how the protagonist knows the relationship is destructive and toxic but still wants to stay, particularly communicated through the lyrics “You gave me nothing whatsoever but a reason to leave. You say you want me but you know I’m not what you need, but I am.”

The twist in the instrumental brings back the heavier sound in ‘The Summoning’ which not only intensifies the song and the sheer passion behind Vessel’s vocals but reiterates the message in the lyrics with anger and frustration as if the words weren’t acknowledged the first time and the protagonist is blatantly confronting the other party in a one-sided relationship, sick of feeling unseen and tossed to the side. So far, Sleep Token’s ‘Take Me Back To Eden’ is painting a picture of this toxic relationship and the stages that it goes through. In my opinion, this is the point where the album title makes sense, the protagonist in this relationship wanting to get back to when everything was “perfect” and “good,” comparing the good times to the Garden of Eden makes complete sense after listening to the hell that the relationship has turned into.

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‘Aqua Regia’ is a stand-out on the album, capturing the listener with a sultry, blues sound. The touch of synth/electronic presence in the song simultaneously gives it a retro 80’s and modern, ‘Top 100’ element. I feel like this song represents a moment of clarity for Vessel/the protagonist, once blinded by this intense love that he has that is animalistic and intense and now realising that the situation isn’t as it seems. “I am done dancing to alarm bells. No wonder my ears are still ringing.” The lyrics mention sugar on the brain and oxytocin, sugar produces dopamine, a hormone that produces a happy feeling, similar to the effects of cocaine & heroin on the brain while oxytocin is considered the ‘love hormone’, so you could almost say that Vessel almost drugged by his own love that altered his view of the relationship until this moment of clarity.

This song is intimate as the listener is witnessing this vulnerable moment, there’s no rage or overpowering sadness, just what seems to be a numbness on the protagonist’s part at this realisation. The tone of Vessel’s vocals and harmonies in this song shine through as the instrumental is stripped back, mimicking the vulnerability in the lyrics. In the relationship storyline, ‘Aqua Regia’ seems like the stage before ‘Granite,’ as it acts as that initial realisation, where ‘Granite’ is the confrontation born from the frustration after that moment of numbness.

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Tracks 5-8
Vore, Ascensionism, Are You Really Ok?, The Apparition

By Stephanie Tang (@stephtudor28)


The opening of “Vore”, is like walking a sterile hallway surrounded by static electricity. Weak lights flicker above whilst you walk towards inevitable danger and come it does. Diving straight into screams and powerful drums, Sleep Token has listeners in a tight grip. Seamlessly weaving between throaty screams and crooning vocals, the listener is taken on a journey. Juxtaposition between aggression and ethereal is done so well in “Vore” and “Ascensionism” in every aspect possible.

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Singer VESSEL commands a huge vocal range. From growls to floating high notes, and folksy serenades in “Are You Really Ok?”, one can’t help but be impressed, at how effortlessly VESSEL shifts between these. This is shown especially well in “Ascencionism”, which starts with a simple piano tune that builds with chords, and thickens with techno beats. Listen closely to how vocals move from head to chest voice, melding with the instrumentals. Then a clap of thunder, and boom a destructive wave of piano, bullet snares and grainy guitar storms in. Go listen to it yourself, seriously.

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Sleep Token are not skimping on materials in this album, because the last three tracks are over five minutes. However, there are no boring bits. Metal, hard rock, ballad style “Are You Really Ok?” and techno pop rock of “The Apparition” keeps things interesting. Not that they need it, but slight reverb on VESSEL’s vocals in “ The Apparition” in conjunction with accented beats keeps things interesting. Masters of their instruments, Sleep Token keep listeners hooked with a wide range of sound.

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Tracks 9-12
DYWTYLM, Rain, Take Me Back To Eden, Euclid

By Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)


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Sleep Token’s cult-like following have you feeling like you are missing out on something if you aren’t listening to them the second their album drops. Coming in at track nine’s DYWTYLM, there is a certain curiosity that draws you in. The pop-beat, bouncing between speakers with an almost robotic voice feeling disembodied dancing over the top is hypnotic. Giving a not-quite-so-retro feel, but strangely reminiscing of an 80s pop vibe, the track feels both futuristic and old school at the same time. 

The track really comes to life with the breath-like adlibs that find their way to different parts of the track. Giving a soul to the disembodied voice. It works as the perfect segue way track between The Apparition and Rain, giving listeners a moment to capture their breath.

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Speaking of which, Rain brings the listener back in almost instantly, with a soulful sound that sounds so deep compared to DYWTYLM. The sound is so full but at the same time, fills like it is trying to reach the inner corners of a vast empty space- like echoes in a church. Lyrically and musically, it is peak poetry. It builds to a heavier sound, symbolising the emotionally crushing feelings being discussed in the lyrics. It is hard to tell what came first, the lyrics or the music, as they feel so intertwined, leading each other on a journey. 

You feel the rain hitting your skin as you absorb yourself into the track. A storm is brewing, and it slowly drags you under. Singer Vessel is commanding as if he is the one in control of the rain.

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The title track Take Me Back to Eden, starts as the calm after the storm. The ambient nature noises with the clean guitar over the top give you a second to breathe as if you are emerging from under a shelter. This eight-minute and twenty-second epic embodies the listening experience of a Sleep Token. The music feels bigger than just a group of musicians standing in a recording studio. It feels like it was brought to life by Mother Earth herself. 

As the song builds heavier and heavier, the ascension begins. The wall of sound surrounds you and you are starting to be taken on a journey. The brief lulls and strip backs to ambient noise are like breaks in a journey. Slowly it starts to build, weaving and changing directions like you are on a journey to find paradise. Lyrically, once again it is vulnerable with striking imagery. Take Me to Eden culminates in a spectacularly aggressive fashion. Reaching a climax of pain and want, is a symbol of a journey that was not quite complete.

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If Take Me Back to Eden was a journey, then Euclid is the conclusion. It is melancholic, accepting and feels like the end credits of a movie. The piano is crisp, the vocals front and centre, building into an almost stadium rock sound that can only be described as epic. This journey through love, heartbreak and soul concludes softly, after a crescendo of sound, symbolising both loves lost and love found. 

Truly Take Me Back to Eden is an album that is conceptually and musically powerful, feeling cinematic in nature. An incredible listen for both heavy music fans and those wanting to dabble in something that feels bigger than just creating a good record. It is as if creation itself trickled into a recording studio and embodied these talented musicians. 


Pre-orders are now available across various formats, including 4 stunning limited vinyl pressings, exclusive cassettes and other merch items such as t-shirts, long-sleeves and hoodies.

PRE-ORDER TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN HERE

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Sleep Token

Photo – A Ford

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Press Release 29th April 2023 (below) HERE

SLEEP TOKEN
release new single
DYWTYLM

Third Studio Album,
TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN

Set for release on May 19 via Spinefarm

PRE-ORDERS LIVE NOW

Sold out
Australian Headline Tour
starts next week

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