ALBUM REVIEW: Sleeps Society – While She Sleeps

Just like The Rock is the people’s champion, WHILE SHE SLEEPS is the people’s band. The Sheffield metalcore quintet has steadily over the years become a group that channels raw emotion and energy through their music and has connected those that have felt a need for a cathartic release. They have also fought against the music industry norms to build their own fan-funded empire that allows their fans to become closer to the band than ever proving, once again proving their unmatched dedication to their followers.  Their 2017 release You Are We was an incredible achievement in songwriting and has become a metalcore classic. While the band’s follow up, SO WHAT?, didn’t quite garner the same unanimous praise as its predecessor it was a step in a new, interesting direction for the band that is masterfully realised on their latest record, Sleeps Society.

Enlightenment is up there for best WHILE SHE SLEEPS album opener. After a short, spoken word intro, the track erupts into a now-classic WHILE SHE SLEEPS riffing before the vocals kick in. Their ability to write a hook is now common knowledge. The layered vocal attack always adds that extra element of grandeur that is notably indistinguishable to their live performances. The “It’s ok to not be ok” line that is sung with conviction is a mantra that must be echoed to those suffering, especially in these times. It’s a huge statement of intent for what’s to come.

The electronic elements that made their more prominent debut on SO WHAT? are perhaps even more prominent on Sleeps Society. With the success of BRING ME THE HORIZON and their blend of metalcore and electronic genres, you would wonder whether WHILE SHE SLEEPS are heading in that same direction and aiming for the same lofty heights. They certainly pull it off for the majority. Take the blistering assault of Systematic which sees the main electronic riff sizzle through the track but is joined with a ferocious guitar riff that stands with the heaviest of the bands’ previous works.

Nervous and You Are All You Need are emotional rollercoasters that hit you square in the feels with their impassioned lyrics. While the former (featuring a terrific addition of BIFFY CLYRO’s Simon Neil) is a slower burner than the twisting and turning latter, they are both as powerful as one another.

After a short breather, the listener is hit with what are arguably the two best tracks on the album. Know Your Worth (Somebody) is WHILE SHE SLEEPS at their best. It incorporates everything loved about the band. Frenetic drumming, gigantic melodic chorus lines and rapid-fire guitar work. The breakdown is nothing short of spine-tingling and will be the cause of many a pit when live shows return. Vocalists Loz Taylor and Matt Walsh are one of the best vocal duos in modern metal. Both have improved so much over the years and it shows on Sleeps Society. Matt shines in the forefront and while Loz’s screams are as piercing as ever, his clean singing is really starting to take shape and it’s great to see him becoming more and more confident in his abilities, most notably on Call of the Void.

How do you follow that? With a similarly styled track but with Deryck Whibley from SUM 41 thrown in. Deryck‘s voice matches up perfectly with the others and it’s another massive rager of a song. After this track, there are a few left turns that are a little unexpected for the band. Division Street is a piano-led chant which is an interesting change of pace but could be a ‘take it or leave it’ track for some fans.

The album ends with the Sleeps Society featured Call of the Void. It features a slow build which eventually opens up into an epic outro. The choice to end the end with a seven minute thank you to the fans is an odd choice but it does show their adoration for their dedicated fanbase.

WHILE SHE SLEEPS are a band that has the power to use their own awe-inspiring bond to unify the masses. Sleeps Society feels like a welcoming euphoric warm hug. They’ve built upon the foundations formed from SO WHAT? and perfected the formula both sonically and lyrically. It’s a magnificent achievement and should be a landmark album for the band. If you want to feel like you’re not alone, welcome to the Sleeps Society.

Rating: 9/10

Sleeps Society is set for release on April 16th via self-release. 

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