Latest news with #EvenInArcadia
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sleep Token are "the least metal thing I've ever heard" says TV host Richard Osman
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Scoring a number one album on both the UK and US charts, as Sleep Token did earlier this month with Even In Arcadia, will naturally boost an artist's profile, and bring it to the attention of 'normies', people who previously would have had zero knowledge of the act's existence. Even so, we doubt that Sleep Token frontman Vessel was expecting to find his band discussed this week by TV presenter and author Richard Osman (Pointless, Richard Osman's House of Games) and Guardian newspaper columnist Marina Hyde on their popular podcast The Rest Is Entertainment. He might have been even more bemused to find his band described by Richard Osman, the brother of Suede bassist Matt Osman, "as the least metal thing I've ever heard". The subject arose following a discussion about the rescheduling of daytime television shows on British TV channel ITV, with Osman and Hyde then turning their attention to an analysis of Sleep Token, throwing in a mention of Ghost along the way."To be number one in America, number one album in America is huge," Osman stated by way of an introduction to the band. "It's a huge deal. And that's exactly what Sleep Token have just done with their fourth album, which is called - and this will give you an idea of the type of band Sleep Token are - Even in Arcadia." "Now, Sleep Token are one of those bands, nobody knows who they are, because they are always masked, at all times," he continued. "The lead singer is called Vessel - probably not his real name - and the other members of the band are called, in Roman numerals II, III, and IV."The idea of a public figure using a pseudonym to mask their true identity shouldn't have come as a huge surprise to Marina Hyde, to be fair, given that she too uses a pseudonym. Born Marina Elizabeth Catherine Dudley-Williams, the daughter of Sir Alistair Edgcumbe James Dudley-Williams, 2nd Baronet, the journalist adopted the surname 'Hyde' while working for The Sun newspaper. But we digress... "It's hard rock," Hyde tells the podcast's viewers/listeners, to which Osman replies, "It's not hard rock, this is what shocked me.""It's the least metal thing I've ever heard," he continues. "Basically, you could put this in your hand luggage and it would go through the scanners." "Genuinely, if you've not listened to them, go on to Spotify or, you know, buy an album and have a listen, because it's sort of everything all at once. There's some nu metal there, there's EDM in there, here's alt. pop, there's pop-rap, there's a bit of shoegaze... it's a very, very peculiar sound."For the benefit of the podcast subscribers, Hyde adds, "Their live shows are called 'Rituals', the singles are 'Offerings'. For older listeners there's a very, very strong sense of Spinal Tap Stonehenge to this." If you want to hear more of the discussion, the tone of which should be familiar to any professional musicians who've had to endure family members asking annually if they're "still doing your little band thing", the full conversation is below, with the Sleep Token chat beginning around the 22 minute mark. In the 400th issue of Metal Hammer, we uncovered Sleep Token's secret origin story, via those who were there. From their first producer, to publicists and promoters, we revealed what Vessel was really like, and how his vision developed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sleep Token Earns Debut U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Even in Arcadia'
Sleep Token has secured its first U.K. No. 1 Album on the Official Albums Chart with Even in Arcadia (May 16). The masked metal band previously hit the No. 3 spot with their 2023 LP Take Me To Eden, and have three songs in this week's U.K. top 40 singles. In June, the band are poised to headline Download Festival in England for the first time, alongside Green Day and Korn. More from Billboard Sleep Token 'Even in Arcadia': All 10 Songs Ranked Morgan Wallen's 'I'm the Problem' Breaks Streaming Records on Spotify & Amazon Music in First Day Alex Warren Achieves Rare Chart Feat as 'Ordinary' Hits 9th Week as U.K. No. 1 Even in Arcadia has already made noise on a number of Billboard charts in the U.S., with two songs debuting at No. 1 on the Hot Hard Rock Songs ('Caramel' and 'Damocles'). The album hit No. 1 on Australia's ARIA Charts on Friday also. PinkPantheress achieves a career high with her new mixtape Fancy That, which ends the week at No. 3. The Bath-born songwriter and producer previously enjoyed success with 2021's to hell with it (No. 20) and 2023 release Heaven knows (No. 28). Speaking to Billboard, she discussed the creative process behind Fancy That. 'I wanted to create a project that reflected my progress as a producer. I made something that kind of incorporated my two projects into one super project. I produced a lot of it in London in my house. I listened to a lot of U.K. music. A specific era, a lot of Basement Jaxx, a lot of Calvin Harris.' Sabrina Carpenter's Short n' Sweet holds steady at No. 2, while Ed Sheeran's +–=÷× (Tour Collection) slips one place to No. 4. Indie heroes The Kooks have achieved their highest spot on the Official Albums Chart in 17 years with their seventh LP Never/Know which ends the week at No. 5. It joins their 2006 debut Inside In / Inside Out (No. 2) and 2008's Konk (No. 2) as top five finishers. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sleep Token: Even in Arcadia is band's first UK number one album
Rock band Sleep Token have scored their first ever UK number one British group's fourth full-length release, Even In Arcadia, shot to the top of the chart after three top 40 singles in as many in 2016, the group have never revealed their identities, wearing masks at all times and rarely speaking in public, with posts speculating about who they are regularly going have accused the band of using gimmicks to boost their popularity, while fans say Sleep Token's distinctive sound, which blends heavy metal with poppy, R&B elements, sets them apart. Building off their 2023 release, Take Me to Eden, which reached number three, the band now has 9.4 million monthly listeners on streamer said earlier this week that Even in Arcadia was its top new album, outranking releases from Kali Uchis and Pink the UK chart on BBC Radio 1's Official Chart Show, host Jack Saunders said it was a "a groundbreaking rock record"."It's accessible enough but also loveable enough for those who do really love the genre to really keep it close," he said. "I think it's brilliant."But not everyone is website Pitchfork - known for its sometimes-scathing takes - described the band as "schmaltzy and dull".Reviewer Eli Enis said Even in Arcadia "feels means-tested to maximize cross-market potential".Music critic Anthony Fantano, of The Needle Drop YouTube channel, describing it as "boring, uninspired, and uninteresting" and "metal for Disney adults". Sleep Token's previous record also had a lukewarm response from professional critics, but that didn't prevent it from being a group are due to headline Download Festival in Leicestershire next month, along with Green Day and the first time any of the bands have topped the bill at the rock acts due to perform include McFly, Bullet For My Valentine, Don Broco, Alien Ant Farm, Spiritbox, Poppy and CKY. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sleep Token Score First ARIA No. 1 Album with ‘Even In Arcadia'
Sleep Token have claimed their first-ever No. 1 album in Australia, as Even In Arcadia debuts at the summit of the ARIA Albums Chart. The masked U.K. rock act previously peaked at No. 3 in 2023 with Take Me Back to Eden. Coming in just behind them is local indie-rock royalty Spacey Jane, who debut at No. 2 with If That Makes Sense. The Perth band continues their hot streak, following a No. 2 placement for Sunlight in 2020 and a No. 1 for Here Comes Everybody in 2022. Spacey Jane also took home Song of the Year at the 2021 ARIA Awards for their breakout hit 'Booster Seat.' More from Billboard The Weeknd Says Tom Cruise 'Lip Sync Battle' Helped Him Score First Hot 100 No. 1 in 'Tonight Show' Preview Bad Bunny Reveals His Big Summer Plans in 'SNL' Promos: 'Doing Awesome Stuff' Nick Jonas Thinks His Broadway Role Could Be Helping the Knicks' NBA Playoff Run: 'Coincidence? I Think Not' Elsewhere in the top 10, The Weeknd's Hurry Up Tomorrow rockets back into the top tier, surging from No. 78 to No. 10 following the release of its Complete Edition. The album previously topped the ARIA chart in February, marking his fifth No. 1 in Australia. Aussie legends INXS also return to the chart with the 40th anniversary reissue of Listen Like Thieves, landing at No. 17. The 1985 classic spent two weeks at No. 1 during its original run and remains one of five chart-toppers for the band. On the ARIA Singles Chart, Alex Warren holds strong at No. 1 for an eighth consecutive week with 'Ordinary,' now officially the longest-running chart-topper of 2025. It overtakes the seven-week reign of 'APT.' by Rosé and Bruno Mars, which also dominated the chart across late 2024. Meanwhile, Jessie Murph enters the top 20 for the first time in Australia with 'Blue Strips,' which climbs from No. 31 to No. 17. It follows her 2023 chart debut with 'High Road,' a collaboration with Koe Wetzel. ARIA's Vinyl Albums Chart sees Sleep Token, Spacey Jane, and INXS all appear again, reflecting strong physical sales across the board. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Four Decades of 'Madonna': A Look Back at the Queen of Pop's Debut Album on the Charts Chart Rewind: In 1990, Madonna Was in 'Vogue' Atop the Hot 100
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Sleep Token's ‘Even In Arcadia' Isn't For Every Metal Fan
The hype surrounding the UK's Sleep Token has been impressive. Over the last five years there hasn't been a comparable band in the metal scene that sounds quite like Sleep Token, nor has there been another metal act that's seen the same viral success as them, and in such a short timespan. Sure, Ghost might be the closest comparison in terms of pop-culture status, but Sleep Token seem to have already matched Ghost's level of popularity in only four albums. In fact, it's truly astonishing how quickly Sleep Token's fanbase has grown since their last LP, 2023's Take Me Back to Eden – Sleep Token has gone from selling out large club tours to selling out their first arena tour. With all the success and hype that Sleep Token has garnered, their newly released fourth studio album, Even In Arcadia, is set to take them through the stratosphere. While many Sleep Token fans have already embraced this album as an instant classic, the bigger question this review aims to tackle is how does this album fair within the wider metal and heavy music genres? Sleep Token dabble in a myriad of genres and this is especially apparent on their latest work, Even In Arcadia. Synth-pop, trip-hop, R&B and djent are all ingredients to this LP, however, the brooding djent guitars and intricate progressive metal drumming are the most consistent elements that crop up throughout this album. Therefore, it's completely fair to consider this a metal record, despite the fact Sleep Token take listeners through a whirlwind of unique sonic flavors. It's important to establish this context regarding genre because while many Sleep Token fans are already well-versed heavy music listeners, there is a significant portion of new fans who are just getting into the metal and heavy music genres via Sleep Token, some of whom might not be privy to the genre tropes Sleep Token utilize. This review aims to keep the latter perspective in mind, while also reviewing the album within the context of modern rock and metal music. Right off the bat, the performances on this record are generally impressive throughout. Sleep Token's anonymous vocalist, Vessel, delivers some of the most beautiful and rhythmically unique melodies heard yet – the title track and closer 'Infinite Baths' feature standout moments. It's even more impressive how dynamic Vessel is as a vocalist. He effortlessly switches between soothing melodic singing to shrieking black metal-like screams on tracks 'Look To Windward' and 'Caramel." Furthermore, the hypnotic flow he finds throughout many of the verses on these tracks, keeps the songwriting engaging, even if the melody itself isn't always unique. In other words, Vessel is undoubtedly the focal point of Sleep Token and his performance on this LP certainly showcases why. While Vessel is the obvious focal point, the most satisfying element to this record especially as metal fan, is Sleep Token's unapologetically brilliant drummer, Sleep Token ii. It's hard not to appreciate the intricate grooves and syncopation on tracks like 'Emergence," or be fully mesmerized by the climactic drum fills at the end of 'Damocles.' However, what's more impressive is the way in which the drums play off of the vocals so well in many of these tracks. It's easily some of the best drumming heard on a metal record from this year. When Sleep Token dabble with multiple genres in one song, it usually pays off handsomely, however, the same cannot be said when the band takes a more straight forward approach. 'Past Self,' 'Even In Arcadia,' "Provider," all share great performances but they fail to impress from a songwriting and structural standpoint – 'Provider' is about as stale a djentified-pop song can get and it's easily the low point of the record. Apart from a handful of underwhelming songs, an aspect that's always lacked from Sleep Token is their ability to write interesting guitar parts. It's a shame the guitars on this album don't have the same unique flavor as the vocals and drums do throughout this LP. For the most part, the guitars feel as if they're pulling the bare minimum weight and just filling up the background to sound full and 'heavy' for certain climactic moments without actually having anything interesting to say. There are moments like in 'Emergence' and the closer 'Infinite Baths' where riffs do get their time to shine, but the riffs themselves still come off uninspired. Of course, not all Sleep Token tracks are heavy, nor does every track even utilize guitars. But the songs that are more guitar focused simply rehash stock djent tropes or hardly attempt to engage with the art of riff writing. If Sleep Token was already at the top of your rotation then Even In Arcadia is an album that'll likely resonate strongly with you. Furthermore, if you're fairly new to metal and/or you appreciate the many genres that Sleep Token experiments with, then this album is certainly worth checking out. However, if you're looking for a groundbreaking album that pushes boundaries and delivers huge highs in metal songwriting, then you might be disappointed.
