With their third full-length album, Sleep Token continue to break free from any conventional genre labels. Take Me Back To Eden isn’t just a collection of songs – it’s an immersive, emotionally charged experience that drifts between delicate introspection and crushing heaviness.
The album opens with “Chokehold,” pulling you into a shadowy soundscape filled with layered synths, melancholic vocals, and swelling guitars. It slowly builds like a storm on the horizon, setting the tone for what’s to come. From the first note, it’s clear: this band doesn’t just write music – they create emotional states.
“The Summoning” pushes boundaries further, shifting from soulful melodies to explosive metal breakdowns in a way that feels effortless and intentional. Sleep Token show off their unique gift for balancing beauty and brutality without losing coherence.
The title track, “Take Me Back To Eden,” stands at the heart of the album – over eight minutes of pure emotional escalation. It starts with quiet piano and tender vocals before unfolding into a cinematic explosion of screams, orchestral layers, and post-rock grandeur. It’s breathtaking.
Vessel, the band’s enigmatic frontman, carries the emotional weight of each track with raw vulnerability. Songs like “Ascensionism” and “Euclid” explore themes of pain, longing, and spiritual reflection. His voice, shifting from whispers to howls, acts like a vessel itself – channeling something deeper and universal.
What sets this album apart is its fearless genre fusion. R’n’B, djent, ambient, industrial, and even classical elements blend seamlessly, always in service of the mood. Despite the ambitious scope, the production remains clear and organic – nothing feels overworked, everything flows naturally.
Verdict:
Take Me Back To Eden feels like a storm-borne prayer, a flicker of light cutting through emotional fog. It’s not just an album – it’s a cathartic release. Sleep Token have crafted something deeply human, unfiltered and vast. Essential listening for anyone who wants to not just hear music, but feel it.
Standout tracks:
The Summoning
Take Me Back To Eden
Ascensionism
Euclid
Stream the Album on Spotify;