Despite the assumptions of genre-blending and that they are a one-trick pony or that people like them just due to them being popular or for people who just want to appear Metal but are closer to Pop.
That is far from the truth.
If anything they are very much Metal. If you have Metal DNA even just a little you are still Metal. Perhaps a hybrid but still Metal.
I'm sure if you have a very narrow idea of what constitutes Metal music then perhaps not but they are. They are both Metal and more.
They are genre-less.
Within the Metal genre itself they are pushing boundaries by creating music that is more on the New Metal spectrum and therefore closer to Progressive Metal. The modern Metal. None of that atonal Metal stuff I can't stand and that bores me.
I'm sure I'll irritate some Metal purists that would like to insist that Sleep Token isn't Metal which only serves to reveal their elitism.
While the band has really strong technical skills especially on the drums by II and their songwriting is built on slow builds and swells that isn't the main driving force of their creativity. It's their lyricism which transforms into powerful storytelling.
Vessel literally invites listeners or is it readers? to come to the altar and listen to him prophesize.
That's another interesting thing about the band it's almost like each song is an unfolding prophecy Vessel happens to be announcing to the world to hear.
For example in The Offering (2019) Vessel recites:
I want to turn the page once again, oh
Take a bite
This is a given, an offering
In your favor, a sacrifice in your name
But I know you've got a taste
So just take a bite of me
*As a book blogger this lyric passage is so book-coded! Beautiful. When Vessel sings "I want to turn the page once again, oh." I couldn't help but think: book!*
Given how the band is said to have its own lore and mythos it adds depth to their lyricism.
I think it really helps when we have Vessel with a voice like that. This soulful, almost gospel voice.
Am I the only one? I think he might have a background in Christian worship music, though I suspect with music like this and the imagery the band holds it's unlikely Vessel is still of the faith.
That doesn't even account for how versatile of a singer Vessel is from soft singing to shrieks!
But getting back on track.
There are countless bands doing the same thing in Metal which is boring. While many others still are technically proficient but lack the soul or conviction. Sleep Token has that but what mesmerizes is their lyricism which is like poetry and tells listeners stories like reading a wonderful book.
