SLEEP TOKEN: Take Me Back To Eden (ALTERNATIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Sleep Token is a band that arouses curiosity as much for their music as for their almost total lack of communication... The identity of the members in their white masks and black hoods is unknown, and contributes to creating a dark, mysterious atmosphere like others before them (Ghost, Hollywood Undead or even Slipknot, for whom they recently opened).

The massive success of their latest singles - notably 'The Summoning' - on streaming platforms (second in the Spotify world viral chart) largely contributes to the notoriety of the band, whose recipe relies mainly on the warm, bewitching voice of its leader Vessel and ambivalent atmospheres such as soaring pianos/voices and aggressive metal passages. This mastery of alternating calm and tumult is one of the band's hallmarks ('Chokehold', 'Granite', 'Take me Back o Eden', 'Euclid'), and is combined with a surprising ability to fuse different metal sub-genres into a single track. 'The Summoning' and its unexpectedly funky finale, 'Ascensionism', a veritable whirlwind of musical styles, flirting with hip-hop, or 'Aqua Regia', in which Vessel's typical dark vocals combine with modern jazz piano, are the best examples.

All these elements build captivating musical adventures, immersive experiences in which Sleep Token pushes the boundaries of daring sonic experimentation that may baffle, but shows just how much the Americans love to surprise. 'Voren' is the very type of track that catches and contrasts, sending the listener straight to hell, the sharp, aggressive riffs coupled with Vessel's primal screams creating a sense of urgency.

Unfortunately, the Americans are unable to sustain the tension over time. Like the bands to which it can be related (Bad Omens or Bring Me the Horizon), Sleep Token is no exception to the rule, and the album's soft underbelly lives up to its name by offering alternative rock tracks ('Are You Really Okay?', 'The Apparition' and 'Rain') that feel redundant and leave a taste of unfinished business.

Despite this reservation, "Take Me Back To Eden" remains a musical experience that transcends the boundaries of emotion and technique. Each track is a chapter in a complex musical story, and each listener can discover a unique personal resonance. An unforgettable sensory voyage, this album also marks a bold progression from previous Sleep Token albums, demonstrating the constant evolution of his sound and his art. - Official website

SLEEP TOKEN

TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN

AUTRE LABEL

ALTERNATIVE METAL