ALBUM REVIEW ~ SLEEP TOKEN ~ 'TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN'

I'm music magazine, sleep token, take me back to eden, spinefarm, silent room recordings, this place will become your tomb, vessel, carl brown, the summoning, chokehold,

Sleep Token, the much buzzed about British rock band released their highly anticipated third album Take Me Back to Eden on May 19, 2023, via Spinefarm/Silent Room Recordings/{PIAS} Recordings UK Limited. The album is a follow-up to 2021’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb. The masked, anonymous band is led by frontman Vessel while the rest of the band goes by the monikers, II, III, IV. It’s difficult to pin the band to one genre as they have been described as alternative metal, progressive metal, and indie rock/pop. With Take Me Back To Eden produced by Vessel with Carl Brown, Sleep Token delivers an incredibly epic-sounding album that defies all musical genres.

“Chokehold”, the first single released from the band on January 5, 2023, has a heavy electronic sound and starts the dark, mysterious journey Vessel is leading the listener on as he sings, “I’ll turn my walls to gold to bring you home again. So show me that which I cannot see, Even if it hurts me, Even if I can’t sleep. Oh, and though we act out of our holy duty to be constantly awake, You’ve got me in a chokehold.”

The second single off the album, “The Summoning”, was released on January 6, 2023. A standout on the album with heavy guitar riffs and double bass drums that transitions into a soaring, atmospheric chorus as Vessel sings, “Raise me up again, Take me past the edge, I want to see the other side.” This song proves the band can’t be confined to a specific genre as the last part of the song ends with a groovy, stylish rhythm.

“Ascensionism” begins with an eerily beautiful piano and Vessel’s enchanting vocals and then transitions into a catchy, pop vibe as he sings, “Won’t you come and dance in the dark with me?” As the journey of the song continues, the dark tone goes super heavy as Vessel screams, “You’re gonna watch me ascend.”

The highlight of the album, is the track “Are You Really Okay?” This heartbreakingly beautiful song displays the musical versatility of the band. A slow ballad about the pain and torment of wanting to help someone in crisis. The emotional song is hard-hitting and highlights the band’s amazing gift of songwriting.

As the adventure gets closer to the end, “Take Me Back To Eden” Vessel sings along with a piano, “I guess it goes to show, does it not? That we’ve no idea what we’ve got until we lose it. And no amount of love will keep it around if we don’t choose it.”

The album concludes with the powerful song “Euclid” as Vessel sings begging for more time, “Just run it back, give me five whole minutes.” As the piano-driven song ends with Vessel’s mesmerizing vocals, “I know for the last time you will not be mine. So give me the night, the night, the night.”

Take Me Back To Eden is a captivating work of art that takes the listener on an alluring musical odyssey that destroys all musical boundaries. Vessel’s phenomenal vocals, impeccable production, and musicianship along with enthralling storytelling will make this one of the most popular records of the year.

I’m Music Magazine Writer Meesha Walden