Sleep Token have had an incredible rise through the musical ranks. In 2025, they will headline one of the biggest festivals on the planet; Download Festival.

In 2022, Sleep Token performed at Download Festival on the Opus Stage. The tent was bursting at the seems. It was clear that their trajectory was going only one way.

Since their first EP release in 2016, a slew of well received EP’s, singles and a trio of great albums have ensured that Sleep Token have garnered a devout congregation of followers that turn their songs into something special.

Now, they get to showcase their incredible music on top of one of the biggest festival bills in all the land. In anticipation of what will be one of the greatest events of 2025, At The Barrier writers, Dominic and Howard, take a look at some of the essential cuts from the Sleep Token discography.

Find out more about Download Festival 2025 here.

EMERGENCE

As one of the newest singles taken from the new album, Even In Arcadia, Emergence represents new moves in the sonic trajectory of Sleep Token. Not resting on their laurels, they develop new areas including the ending of Emergence. It has a jazzier feel and offers even more depth than usual. Even In Arcadia lands on May 9th and promises to be another sure fire hit.

ATLANTIC

This was one of the first pieces I (Howard) heard Sleep Token perform. In addition to their melodic, now instantly recognisable sound, the opening is particularly anthemic. The lone voice and piano tugs at the heartstrings and offers that metal/pop crossover appeal that they have been so adept at creating.

FALL FOR ME

This track shows that heavy metal doesn’t have to be demonic, mysterious and grungy. It can offer yearning, melodic love songs. The production and stylings of the song could have you thinking it is a Bon Iver track.

DESCENDING

This is one of Sleep Token’s more hypnotic tracks. On each listen, you can pick out something else melodically, vocally and percussively. The intricately arranged vocals have a soulful choral quality that would be a challenge for many a classical choral outfit.

CHOKEHOLD

It’s no wonder this is a live favourite amongst the ever growing fan base.  Mystery, and magical vibes,  are there right from the beginning before the well controlled swirling dynamics combine with the eloquent vocals. Spiralling, descending guitars of the heaviest measure make the song one of the most memorable.

BLOOD SPORT

Like many Sleep Token tracks, Blood Sport airs on the anthemic side of things. A pensive, tender piano opens proceedings before the music gradually coalesces and swirls into a gigantic sounding hymn. ‘I’ll make loving you a blood sport,’ is the refrain and it gets stuck in your mind. The vocals are suitably engineered but inherently clear. This could be one of ‘those moments’ at Download Festival 2025 if the band choose to include it.

AQUA REGIA

So much packed into one of their shortest recorded songs. This track has power and beauty with classical piano pieces of  classical concert performance quality. Aqua Regia is one of those songs that shows how Sleep Token use restraint and variety; it would have been easy to take a turn into punishing guitars or crushing blast beats. Instead, the clean vocals and serene tone elevate the song.

CARAMEL

Caramel is another cut taken from Sleep Token’s forthcoming new album. Featuring a monstrously heavy ending, the song zips along with breakneck lyrics. There is word play aplenty in the vocals which mesh clean and harsh styles. It is sure to be a grower and whets the appetite further for Even In Arcadia.

ALKALINE

Alkaline has become a staple of the Sleep Token repertoire. Chunky guitars and crisp drums make up the musical path. The chorus is distinctively catchy; you can see why the band lean on this one in the live arena. When Download Festival 2025 comes around, expect Alkaline to be a huge highlight.

NAZARETH

When Venues joined us for our Why I Love column, they wrote about Sleep Token. One of the songs that they highlighted was Nazareth (read here). Originally released on their second EP, Nazareth creates an instant impact. Warm keys and vocals open the song before the now signature sound of Sleep Token rises. Taken from their second EP, Two, Nazareth is a vital part of the genealogy of Sleep Token. ‘I’ll see you when the wrath comes,’ is a brilliant line.

GODS

One of the most viscerally ‘metal’ tracks in the Sleep Token canon. There is nothing pretty and pristine about the vocals here. It is pure fury backed with guitars that have a really djent feel. You can see why Basick Records picked up the band early doors, before they moved to Spinefarm (and now RCA). There’s more than a hint of bands like Meshuggah and Tesseract here.

TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN

Take Me Back To Eden is the hulking title track of Sleep Token’s 2023 album. At over eight minutes long, this essential Sleep Token track has space to breathe. Each superbly crafted layer of sound shines. Clean guitars over an ethereal bed of synth and vocals emerge into a crashing mix.

HEADLINERS

If ever a band was ready to headline such a prestigious festival, Sleep Token are that band. There is definitely something special brewing with this band, and the fact that Download Festival organisers have taken the punt shows the faith they have in new blood.

It is a bold booking, and one that will polarise. There is no Iron Maiden or Metallica or Slipknot on top in 2025. To see three new headliners at Donington Park in 2025 will be completely refreshing. And if you don’t believe the hype; go check out Sleep Token’s…you might be surprised.

Find out more about Download Festival 2025, and buy tickets here.

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