SLEEP TOKEN // BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW
Attendees worshiped as Sleep Token and Northlane held a modern metal ritual of relentless paradise.
★★★★★ (5/5)
Nothing quiet compares to that first time hearing Sleep Token. The moment of realisation that comes within a few songs that you’re on to something worth delving into. As you investigate further, the piercing transcendence in what you hear tenderly carries you through the shuddering reality of honest, raw expression. By this point, you’re hooked.
Sleep Token are fusion metal that, in the right dose, will appeal to huge variety of musical persuasions. They are an anonymous collective from London, said to worship a deity identified as “Sleep.” They play powerful tracks and live sets known as rituals led by the member “Vessel” who fronts group with devotion. As the years have passed, Sleep Token have created a growing following and critical success through punchy songs that are not shy to emotion.
With tickets for the night selling out, it was a huge crowd swarming Glasgow’s treasured Barrowland Ballroom before opening and queues snaked round streets to get in for openers Northlane. With this line up it’s no surprise the doors were jammed. Getting such an opportunity was something to jump at and, though packed in, the fans were rumbling with excitement at the venue.
Northlane churned up a storm with an incredible set of heavy bangers, played with knockout energy. Opening with ‘Clarity,’ it was clear there was many who had been dying to see the Australian group. With exquisite vocals, they delivered so much on every track that their set sped past and seemed to be over in bang of a head. Finishing with ‘Talking Heads,’ a merry sea of fans headed out for a well-earned breather after the ecstasy they had just experienced.
As the stage reset for Sleep Token two large plants where brought in to make for a serene, peaceful stage set up. Three hooded figures took to the stage, these were the supporting vocalists. Then the Ballroom erupted as Vessel appeared to the front of the stage and launched straight in with stomping track ‘Chokehold.’
Charging through a killer set, Vessel proved what they are made of with superb vocals and unrelenting energy. The start of the set was epic, with many fan favourites coming right off bat, and the sound quality was out of this world. Sounding better than the album, Vessels first class vocals delivered with every line and tracks like ‘The Summoning’ and ‘Mine’ were immense.
Vessel brought the hype with the performance. His body jerked rhythmically to every beat and the crowd celebrated in his energy. By the mid-set tracks, including ‘Aqua Regis’ and ‘Like That,’ the crowd was a frenzy of free enjoyment. A constant flow of crowd surfers sailed overhead and one by one over the barriers with arms and legs flailing. The poignant lullaby of ‘Atlantic’ dripped through and roars were let out. Sleep token are able to show the beauty in their dark art and attendees were at Vessel’s mercy at hearing such deep tracks played live.
Finishing with ‘The Night Does Not Belong to God’ and ‘The Offering’ as their encore, Sleep Token had lived up to their reputation. Fans had experienced a jaw dropping set that showcased modern metal’s finest gem. The group are building at incredible pace and they deserve every bit of hype they get and with their incredible performance it’s clear that they’ve got much more to offer than they do to learn.
REVIEW BY: KATRIN LAMONT
PHOTOS BY: CHRIS YOUNG
SETLIST:
BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW
Chokehold
The Summoning
Hypnosis
Mine
Dark Signs
Nazareth
Like That
Aqua Regia
Atlantic
Alkaline
Granite
Higher
The Love You Want
ENCORE:
The Night Does Not Belong To God
The Offering