LIVE REVIEW: Sleep Token @ Academy 2, Manchester
At this point, there are little superlatives left to describe SLEEP TOKEN. Since first emerging from the shadows in 2016, the anonymous collective have taken the heavy music world by storm thanks to their amalgamation of their tech-leaning instrumentation, wide cinematic soundscapes and sprinklings of pop sensibilities. With live music alive and kicking post the worst of the pandemic period, the collective take to a sold-out show in Manchester and what follows is simply otherworldly.
On paper, having A.A. WILLIAMS as the sole support makes perfect sense given her ethereal vocal abilities and heavily atmospheric soundscapes, and live, this is even more evident. Arriving to a throng of people filing through the doors, there is a question as to whether A.A. WILLIAMS‘ heavily intimate sound would be lost to such a crowd but as the moody and inviting opener, All I Asked For (Was To End It All) unfolds its multiple aural layers, it becomes clear that we’re witnessing something wonderful.
Flanked by her bandmates, Williams in the live environment is a more heavier proposition than on record and it really works. Wait has plenty of weight thanks to the booming post-metal splashes from her bandmates whereas Control‘s closing passage rose to a crescendo and proves to be one of the most engrossing moments in the entire set. For A.A. WILLIAMS, who herself utterly shines with her soft yet commanding vocal deliveries, the set is impressive from the off and upon a triumphant conclusion with a superb rendition of Melt, she can rest assured that there will be plenty of new fans gained based on tonight’s performance alone.
Rating: 9/10
With the bar set so high from A.A. WILLIAMS, the pressure to not only match what came before, but to exceed is a mighty task indeed and whilst lesser bands might wilt under the spotlight, SLEEP TOKEN are a different beast entirely. As far as openings go, few will come close to the majesty that is Atlantic. Vessel graces the stage solo, armed with nothing but a keyboard and his sublime vocal capacity, an engrossing atmosphere is maintained and bedlam ensues when the band up the ante and the full band arrive on stage. From that very moment, everyone present was witnessing something truly special.
Armed with a new record under their belts, September’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb, it’s inevitable that the bulk of the band’s set would be comprised of new material and for many, hearing the songs live for the very first time is nothing short of euphoric. Hypnosis swings in hypnotic rhythm with plenty of power in the riff department, Mine shimmers with glistening fragility with Vessel excelling as the words of “you will be mine” raising the hairs on the back of the neck, and Alkaline is as uplifting as it is adrenaline-surging.
As good as hearing the new material in the live environment is, it is when the band roll back the clocks to earlier material that proves to be the defining moments in the set. Jaws is simply phenomenal with the drop into the heavy-leaning passage of play causing plenty of movement from the swelling crowd, Sugar twists and turns at every opportunity, Nazareth still sounds absolutely colossal and its inclusion is very much welcomed and The Night Does Not Belong To God is as close to live music perfection as possible. The majesty, awe and wonder one can only experience with SLEEP TOKEN is something truly special and here, it was experienced at the highest level. To put it quite simply, a performance of sheer perfection.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery from the night’s action in Manchester from Jacob Kazara Photography here:
