Sleep Token’s newest album, “Even in Arcadia” was released on May 9, 2025, on all music platforms.
Sleep Token is a British band formed in London during 2016. The band is made up of four members by the names of Vessel, II, III and IV. Vessel is the lead singer and songwriter, II is the drummer, III is the bassist and IV is the lead guitarist. The members of this band choose to remain anonymous by covering their faces with intricate masks, each one unique to the members of the band. They believe that music should be about how it makes you feel and the messages you interpret from it. Not by who is singing.
The genre is different from what one may expect, and that is what makes them unique. This band is metal, but they also implement a mashup of other genres into their music. The vocals are pure, and one can really feel the emotions and pain in the vocals, which are well complemented by the stunning instrumentals. The first time listening to this album is truly ethereal. It left the audience speechless. You’ll want to go back to reflect and dissect the lyrics. This album conveys feelings of sadness, anger and relief.
Circling back to the bands anonymous identities: a song that really sends a message is called “Caramel”. This song talks about how there have been people who have disregarded the band’s boundaries and revealed their names around the internet. This disrespect left fans devastated and the band furious. This song talks about confronting these individuals and how the band felt about their identities being revealed. The overall tone of this album is raw and powerful.
To summarize this album, it is full of powerful vocals and bold instrumentals. This album was not written by the masked members, but by the people behind the masks. You’re hearing the feelings from the band members, to feel what they feel, and hear what they have to say. Each one of these tracks on this album is beautifully written and you are free to interpret the songs however you see fit. That is what makes this band, and this album truly groundbreaking and pure.
