Sleep Token are a British rock band from London, formed in 2016. The group is an anonymous, masked collective led by a frontman using the moniker Vessel. They have been categorized under many different genres, including alternative metal, post-rock/metal, progressive metal and indie rock/pop. Progressive Metal is most likely the most apt genre to define this anonymous viral band. Thanks to the power of social media, Sleep Token have assessed a big cult following through going viral. I have never seen a band blow up faster than Sleep Token, there's been bands like these guys who have grown a following gradually such as Ghost or Slipknot. Sleep Token has taken it to another level and most of it is probably thanks to TIKTOK which has had their songs and mostly the summoning used in "thirst traps" and being dubbed as "baby making metal" to a lot of TikTok users. The band have massive headline sold out arena tours worldwide and are teasing a new era, so it's the peak time to be on the bandwagon of Sleep Token.
10: Alkaline
The object of desire in this song is being described as being composed of neither elements (acid or alkaline), but something in between, perhaps. She's mysterious, otherworldly & he can't define her, but he'll accept her fully either way as she has fully encompassed him & he is completely taken over by her, imprisoned in a way, but wilfully so, as he couldn't be happier to be in her chains.
9: Take Aim
"Take Aim" by Sleep Token appears to be a song about an intense and toxic love relationship that involves manipulation, power dynamics, and self-destruction. The singer seems to be in love with someone who provokes conflicting emotions in them, making them both feel alive and tearing them apart. "Take Aim" portrays a love relationship that is both exhilarating and destructive, where the line between pleasure and pain is blurred. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of the toxicity of the relationship, but is unable or unwilling to break free from it.
8: Give
The song "Give" by Sleep Token appears to be about a desire for an intimate connection with someone else. The lyrics suggest that the narrator is willing to give all of themselves to this other person, even their darkest impulses. The song opens with the idea of finding a sense of belonging with someone else, which is represented by the idea of "carving out a home" in the dark. It seems that the narrator is drawn to the person they are singing to when they are alone, suggesting a yearning for intimacy and closeness. The chorus repeats the idea of giving all that one can give, and the bridge introduces the idea of "open warfare" and not fighting fair, which could suggest a feeling of vulnerability or intense emotionality that comes with pursuing a deep connection with someone else. The chorus also suggests a mutual desire for this connection, with the narrator wanting to taste the other person and be closer to them. Overall, the song seems to be about a desire for emotional intimacy and a willingness to give oneself fully in pursuit of that connection.
7: Blood Sport
To me, the undertones of this song display a relationship lost with a higher power. Not to say it's Christian by any means, but the lyrics definitely speak of something more than human. With mention of "Somewhere the atoms start fusing..." and "Stuck in a quantum pattern." & "Even if the earth breaks like burnt skin." To me is symbolic to rapture. "And the heavens just won't open up for me." It's not his god. So why would he be allowed in. "Would you invite me in again?" He's asking if it all came to an end, would he be accepted back. To me, it sounds like a man speaking to his higher power & not hearing anything in return - & in the end like giving up.
6: The Offering
The song "The Offering" by Sleep Token is a lyrical ode to a love interest. The singer is offering up "sacrifices" to the person they love and expressing their desire to receive something in return. The speaker uses a garden, silence, and diamonds as metaphors for the pureness and preciousness of the connection they share. They implore the listener to "take a bite" and to "turn the page once again" in order to explore their relationship further. Ultimately, the song suggests the taking of a risk in order to get closer to someone and offers a chance for the speaker and their loved one to discover something beautiful together.
5: Take Me Back To Eden
"Take Me Back To Eden" by Sleep Token seems to be a song about the deep desire to return to a state of innocence and perfection, represented by the biblical concept of Eden. The first verse talks about diving into perfect oceans and being weightless, but also feeling the need to breathe and losing that weightlessness. The chorus mentions "those eyes like fire", perhaps alluding to the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the protagonist feeling like a "waking hell" while the gods grow tired. The refrain repeats the desire to return to Eden beyond the path of reason, suggesting an almost irrational longing for a state of purity. Overall, the song seems to be a plea to return to a state of purity and to be seen and accepted for who we are, even if we have lost our way.
4: Granite
The song "Granite" by Sleep Token is a song about strength in adversity. The lyrics talk about someone feeling suffocated by the harshness of their situation, but ultimately deciding to stay strong despite their hardships. The song speaks to the power of standing firm in the face of all that life throws at us, and the importance of believing in ourselves despite the odds. The song showcases the narrator's resolve to remain calm and unshaken, implying that often the best way to survive a difficult situation is by keeping a level head and having faith in ourselves.
3: DYWTYLM
Do You Wish That You Loved Me? It is the ninth track from Sleep Token’s third album release, Take Me Back to Eden. A perspective shift across the album narrative, the song lyrically progresses from a state of obsession and guilt into a track that spans a unique melodic and lyrical shift, a seeming “resolution” of comfort, seeing Vessel observing the time passed between the albums, and begging the worth of self-hatred living vicariously through an idyllic lens, contrasting the acceptance and worth of moving on.
2: Aqua Regia
Aqua Regia by Sleep Token is a powerful song filled with metaphors and vivid imagery. It explores themes of love, change, and the struggle between the past and present. The song seems to be about a tumultuous relationship. The lyrics depict a love that is wild and uncontrollable, likening it to an animal call and a blood trail. Yet, there is also a sense of inevitability and acceptance, as seen in the lines about being a circuit board and hardware. The song uses the term “Aqua Regia,” a mixture of acids that can dissolve gold, as a metaphor. It could symbolize a relationship that is both precious and corrosive, or the transformative power of love. The writer seems to be sending a message about embracing change and letting go of the past. The references to dancing to alarm bells and fighting off change suggest a struggle to accept the new and let go of the old.
1: The Summoning
I feel this is about that divine meeting of souls when two intertwine, and it's like a force field is woven. It's that enigmatic pull that can't be explained only experienced and to attempt to pull them apart would be positively gut-wrenching. "The Summoning" became Sleep Token's first entry on the Billboard rock charts after it went viral on TikTok. The track garnered thousands of views from users who shared their takes and mimicked their favourite parts of the song.
That's my list on the elusive, viral, mysterious band known as Sleep Token.
What did you think of this worship?
Let me know, and I'll see you again soon for another blog post :)
Stay Shiny!
