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Metallers’ fourth ascends to another level sonically.

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Fourth in Paradise // In the wake of their first Download headline appearance in a months’ time, British band Sleep Token revel in new-found ascension in status with fourth record, Even in Arcadia – and the momentous saga of this anonymous English Progressive metal collective continues. You know it’s time to emerge…

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Quite perhaps an album at its most anticipated – following their gargantuan third Take Me Back To Eden that ripped the fabrics of tradition in heavy metal – Even in Arcadia sinks deeper into the roots of intense emotion. A divisive band on a knife edge between traditional metalheads and those who embrace further afield ideals, Sleep Token – a band who have been earmarked under every sub-genre one way or another – have been quite possibly the hottest topic for many a-year now.

Continuing on the trend of Greek mythises, divine spirituality and putting it all on the line for this deity of “Sleep”, all ten songs unravel like a scripture lost to the sands of time. An intense and honest telling to the bands’ personal growth opening new doors, Even in Arcadia may be a surprising chapter for many. While it may divide fans both old and new, one thing is for sure: this band is the catalyst in exposing metal to its biggest audience yet.

Stand-out pillars to build the foundations on, Doom-metal heavyweight “Emergence” and reggaeton-developed “Caramel” brought a new dexterity to the sound of this ever-evolving band, topped off with the bands’ first Top 10 breakthrough. Pitched down vocals, trap beats, enlightened piano chords and a suave saxophone denouement all feature with a band looking outward – seemingly to Arcadia and beyond. Emotional Damocles plays into the power pop roleplay further enhancing the mainstream breakout.

While Past Self is more of a passing ship of commentary, opener Look to Windward is a poignant knock-out, enough to be an album itself. Self-titled Even in Arcadia is a sombre telling to Vessel’s apparent judgement call beckoning as we hear some of the most human lyrics laid out throughout Token’s discography. Nearing the final walk, we see “Gethsemane” – a math rock-infused quarter is a nice addition while eight-minute giant of “Infinite Baths” is a powerful score of mystery and wonder overwhelmed by the defiant blackgaze wall which sees us jettison ourselves out further afield – further away from this Arcadian paradise that we’ve now grown accustomed to. While some songs wane and stagger to the final stroke or flourish, the record as a whole is a sonic defiance rising from the pressure of its predecessor. Even in Arcadia sees an inward look of the bands’ exposition as a whole: it’s brutal, honest and…entirely human. After all, they are just worshippers.

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