3 days ago
Who are Sleep Token? The UK rock band with their first UK number 1
Prior to this weekend the name Sleep Token may not have meant anything to you, but now you'd be hard-pressed not to know the UK rock band sweeping the charts in surprising measures.
The UK group have made history with their new album Even in Arcadia, which hit the number one spot in the UK and has topped the US Billboard Chart. Sleep Token have an air of mystery about them perpetuated by the fact they are masked at all times, even when they perform live.
Here is everything that you need to know about the group and who they are.
Sleep Token officially have two members known as Vessel and II, the group's leader singer and drummer, they are the only two to be given songwriting credits in the band. The group also have a series of touring members, who are also masked on stage and whose identities have remained anonymous.
The touring members are known as III (bass guitar), IV (lead guitar and backing vocals), and Espera (backing vocal trio).
Sleep Token debuted in 2016 with their first single Thread the Needle, which was followed by their debut album One. The group went on to release a second EP titled Two in July 2017 after they signed with record label Basick Records.
The group signed with Universal's Spinefarm records in 2019, and they went on to release their debut full-length album Sundowning in November that year. They have since signed with RCA Records and released albums Take Me Back to Eden before launching Even in Arcadia in May 2025.
The group have declared themselves as acolytes to an entity known as Sleep, which is why they are called Sleep Token. The band have spoken often about sharing "His message" with their fans.
Sleep Token pride themselves on their anonymity, and have done very few interviews to ensure that their identities remain a mystery.
The group's lead singer Vessel spoke with Metal Hammer in May 2017, one of the band's only interviews to date, where he spoke about the reason behind the group's anonymity.
"Our identities are unimportant," Vessel told the publication: "Music is marketed on who is or isn't in a band; it's pushed. prodded and moulded into something it isn't. Vessel endeavours to keep the focus on His offerings.'
Vessel also said: "How we got here is as irrelevant as who we are – what matters is the music and the message. We are here to serve Sleep and project His message."
The publication asked Vessel if he was worried that the band being masked would be seen as a "gimmick" by music fans. To this, Vessel said: "The standard concept of gimmickry is none of our concern. We are here to deliver a message; touch people in their hearts and subconscious minds. Soon, regardless of cynicism, you will all be followers."
