LIVE REVIEW: Sleep Token @ Academy 3, Manchester

Manchester has long since been party to a rich history of live music, but rarely is it rocked quite as abruptly as it was on the October 4th, 2019. SLEEP TOKEN have been meticulously building a reputation for their live shows, and when they brought their enigmatic, ritualistic prowess to the rainy city, it was a night that few in attendance are likely to forget. The band have created something of an evocative image, from their mysterious identity to the bodacious manner with which they create their music. This air of intrigue whipped up a palpable atmosphere before their headline show had even begun.

However, first to provide refuge from a chilly autumn evening were Liverpool-based collective EXPLORING BIRDSONG. Channelling a gelatinous energy within Academy 3, they were quick to wow the audience with a serenade of haunting piano and a soulful voice; the latter courtesy of frontwoman Lynsey Ward. As new bands go, EXPLORING BIRDSONG bring something rather unique to the table, twisting a trance like tale of eclectic splendour. As Lynsey wandered along a poignant trail, a meandering bassline wrapped ivy-like around drums that ebbed and flowed with esteemed prowess.

This was music as an art form, combining technical vigour with a kind of transient emotion that is near impossible to convey. Lost in depth, the crowd became embroiled by the endless motifs that jumped between scouring bass and flamboyant drum-track, all the while mesmerised by the way Lynsey manipulated her immense range to provoke a punch exactly when needed. In time, this is a formula that could prove prolific, and the general consensus was that this crowd had witnessed the start of something brilliant.

Rating: 8/10

Nevertheless, this early allure was quickly forgotten once SLEEP TOKEN took to the stage. Vis-à-vis with a crowd searing with anticipation, esoteric frontman Vessel immediately made his presence felt. Donning a cloak, black body paint and a face mask, he floated onto the stage to commence the key driven intro of The Night Does Not Belong To God. Over the course of the past few months, they have been releasing an album track each fortnight (choosing to ominously release each one at the exact time of UK sunset) and we quickly learned that the new material has added yet more depth to an already infallible live show.

Historically SLEEP TOKEN have referred to their performances as ‘Rituals’, and it is easy to understand why. There is a religious feel to the way the band portray themselves, which is deemed more cult like than anything else. Musically, they bring a level of detail that is nothing short of jaw dropping. Backed by a choral choir, Vessel laid down a vocal display that could confidently be described as perfect. At times, he was nothing short of bewitching, and through more reserved tracks like Drag Me Under, his delicate croon flowed over the top of his keyboard playing like a gently ebbing tide. And yet he could also soar, reaching high and  ascending above raucous din.

Each track forged its own path, rising and falling between idyllic artistry and crushing, metallic weight. In the heaviest moments, coercive basslines licked scything guitar riffs, often introduced by a sharp inward breath from Vessel, or at times a maniacal shriek. Building from calmer territory, these heavy parts were rife with nuance; guitars sliding and intricate notes interlaced perfectly amongst the devastation. The drumming was equally magical, dancing around the string work and ameliorated by well placed fills. And yet, contrasted against this was aching beauty. Every single micro-moment had a well thought about purpose. Be it Vessel crying into the microphone, or the bassist adding a further percussion thud, SLEEP TOKEN‘s impeccable precision was exponentially breathtaking.

For a band that hasn’t even fully released their debut album, they carry a heightened sense of experience. Listening through songs like Nazareth and When The Bough Breaks from their first EP’s One and Two, they already feel like worldbeaters, and equally tracks such as Jaws demonstrate songwriting of the highest calibre. From Vessel‘s dislocated body movements to each faceless musician’s powerful energy, they have the stage presence to match. They are quite probably the most exciting band it Britain right now, and bearing witness to instant classics like The Offering and Blood Sport, it is clear that big things are headed in SLEEP TOKEN‘s direction; their magnetism will surely dazzle for many years to come.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery from the ritual in Manchester from Connor Morris Photography here: