LIVE REVIEW: Sleep Token @ The O2, London

The maritime borough of Greenwich, London is awash with black clothing floating in the storm tinged winds. The Design District taken over by followers of SLEEP TOKEN looking to get their limited edition pieces from a specially designated pop-up merchandise emporium. With their wares obtained, fans flow into The O2 in their droves for night one of the London rituals.

An hour-long wait between doors and a band taking the stage is a double edged sword. Pessimism first; aside from the LINKIN PARK heavy pre-show playlist, there is nothing to warm up the crowd which will put further pressure on BILMURI to pull it out of the bag. The optimism however being the o2 is already three quarters full by the time former ATTACK ATTACK! guitarist Johnny Franck leads his touring band into the fray.

Expectations of a fully sombre evening are quickly dashed with bright guitars from Reese Maslen and Xavier Ware’s driving beats. To further expel preconception, Gabi Rose wields her saxophone and flute like the Pied Piper of pop-punk. What we are greeted with is a mix of PARAMORE and ALL TIME LOW with just a sliver of scathing growls from Maslen driving proceedings with complimentary disgusting riffs. “Do you guys like masturbating?” Franck asks with a sly grin before launching into ABSOLUTELYCRANKINMYMF’INHOG and the humour doesn’t stop there, citing “crippling alcohol addiction” as the shared reason they are touring with SLEEP TOKEN, as well as taking a swipe at the US’ water supply with FLUORIDEINTHEHARDSELTZERWATER. Humour aside, BILMURI’s live band is made up of some incredibly engaging musicians who have more than earned the right to be opening for one of the biggest bands within our scene of this moment.

The expressions of joyful confusion pepper the room and this could be exactly why BILMURI are here tonight. Expressly put, they are the light side of the coin. The light before the dark. While sexy saxophone solos strangely may not be for everyone there is no doubt whatsoever this crowd is now prime for their main event.

Rating: 8/10

The lowering of BILMURI’s backdrop to a blackened platform and dormant insignia looming high above the stage sends electricity throughout the followers. Whether this is their initiation into the fellowship or their latest ritual, excitement among the crowd is palpable. Screams rattle through the chasm of The O2 as darkness descends for a few moments before the inevitable phone cameras pervade the void.

Masked brethren storm the stage with a lectern standing empty. The Night Does Not Belong To God opens proceedings and vocalist Vessel glides into view to bring the night down like heaven. His vocals sweet like glycerin ensnare the minds of the followers in the crowd who sing emphatically. The Offering’s crunch gathers bite with each live rotation and it is clear to see why this collective was chosen to headline next year’s Download Festival. Elation radiates throughout the room, elevated further still by a spectacular light show.

It is interesting how a sold out arena is driven into a frenzy by a band which uses zero verbal crowd interaction. While the numbered members will silently engage with the crowd via a point or other hand gesture, Vessel simply does not. The enigma speaks through the growls of sensual Like That, the ethereal solo piano rendition of Atlantic, and the stifled sobs of Missing Limbs. The perplexing charisma isn’t confined to vocals alone as Sleep’s marionette jerks, skips, and leaps during musical interludes. This is simply a show, and a band we cannot look away from.

SLEEP TOKEN weave into the material which made them viral sensations with The Summoning. The seductive breakdown proving to be more than enough to initiate the unsure into enjoying the performance. Vessel’s vocal runs are impressive to behold. The band runs like clockwork with nothing seeming out of place. Even the moments Vessel runs out of breath during a rapped section of Granite feels planned. Though, as predicted, it is the ethereal Ascensionism that steals the latter third of the show. 

As the night unfolds and Vessel makes a payment toward the karmic debt he alludes to in Higher, we are treated to an unfurling story arc. The lore of SLEEP TOKEN is deep and we are plunged into a tale of the ensnarement, indoctrination, and possible liberation of Vessel from his deity. To be plain, tonight was transcendental in its catharsis and something we will talk about with impassioned exhilaration for many years to come.

Rating: 10/10

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