LIVE REVIEW: Sleep Token @ Albert Hall, Manchester

Since their emergence back in 2016, SLEEP TOKEN have enjoyed curiosity and intrigue within music circles as their amalgamation of progressive metal, djent and pop-sensibilities and visually striking stage presence and aesthetics conjures captivation. Flash forward to the here and now, and the anonymous collective’s surge in popularity is as impressive as it is justified. Social media feeds are dominated with fans worshipping the collective, 2021’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb was lapped up to critical acclaim, and recent surprise singles have been devoured as highly impressive streaming numbers can account for. They say the proof is in the pudding and as a queue snakes four streets around the famous Albert Hall in Manchester, as part of a short run of the band’s biggest UK shows to date, it seems that SLEEP TOKEN are poised to become one of the UK’s most exciting names.

Prior to tonight’s sermon though comes Aussie outfit NORTHLANE, a band that has arguably as many fans in the room as tonight’s headliners. The last time the band graced our shores was in a pre-COVID time so their return, armed with last year’s electronica pulsating Obsidian, has been a long time coming. And the second the group launch into opening number Clarity, sheer bedlam ensues as a throng of people bounce, pit and scream the words back at frontman Marcus Bridge. With the crowd clearly on their side, NORTHLANE proceed to set down a precedent to why they are one of the finest bands within our world.

Echo Chamber‘s max of thumping riffs and electronic pulses is a match made in heaven in the live arena, with ample movement seen across the crowd, 4D is easily the highlight of the set as the soaring chorus and ample electronics work a treat for the crowd, Clockwork is utterly emphatic as Bridge really lets go and shines with his sublime vocal deliveries whilst Quantum Flux is still a hit after all this time as the djent-laden riffing from guitarists Jon Deiley and Josh Smith keeps heads banging in unison whilst the pit surges in the hefty breakdown. As Talking Heads brings the curtain down, one thing is clear; NORTHLANE are clearly cherished in this part of the world and it won’t be long until the band will be headliners venues of this calibre.

Rating: 9/10

For lesser bands, such a performance from the sole support would be enough to leave the crowd satisfied but SLEEP TOKEN are a special band, and their congregation of adoring fans showcases just how good a position the collective find themselves in at present. As such, as the lights dim and the ritual begins, the excitement amongst the packed Albert Hall is at fever-pitch and as per tradition, SLEEP TOKEN deliver. Opening a set with two of your most recent singles is a ballsy move, but such is the quality of Chokehold and The Summoning, that the crowd go rabid: screaming every word back at the masked Vessel, who behind the mask must be stunned with the adoration shown towards their newest material, and the funk-driven medley in the latter is met with ample bodies moving.

It’s a triumphant opening, one in which affirms SLEEP TOKEN‘s status and from there, the band dazzle and impress, keeping all ears in the venue fixated firmly towards the stage. Mine sees Vessel croon with his angelic cleans as he dazzles the crowd, with many tears flowing amongst the front row, Nazareth‘s medley of swirling synths and thumping djent-laden guitars showcases that the quality of the band’s craft has been there from day one and the piano-driven Atlantic is one of the set’s most sombre moments as the crowd hold their collective breath as Vessel (armed with a solitary keyboard) leads the line before exploding into a moment of pure metallic euphoria.

Flanked by a backing masked choir, the allure of SLEEP TOKEN was in full effect the way their music transcends and connects is simply astonishing. Newest singles, Granite and Aqua Regia, are performed to perfection, Higher shimmers with aural beauty and encore, The Night Does Not Belong To God and The Offering feels like a religious experience. Those on the outside may see the following of SLEEP TOKEN as a devout cult, and approach such following with an air of trepidation, but for the faithful; tonight’s sermon was one of emotion, release and sheer euphoria. Judging from what was experienced within the confines of the Albert Hall, we can only anticipate the cult of SLEEP TOKEN expanding to a reach previously seen as unfathomable.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from Jess Robinson here:

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