Diamonds in the Trees, Pentagrams in the Night Sky

The Journey of a Sleep Token Fan

I discovered Sleep Token for myself in late 2023 and very early 2024. I had heard whispers of them previously, and it might be a little cliché that I learned of them and fell in love with them thanks to The Summoning, the second track on their most recent album.

I heard it in my car, via a Discover playlist on Spotify and I was hooked at the first listen. I like to listen to songs in my car that I can "feel" both mentally and physically, be it heavier bass or killer lyrics. It was Vessel's lyricism and the drumming that caught my ears at that time. I started talking about that song with my friends and things just kind of escalated from there.

I decided to start listening to them while I worked out, and in doing so, got to hear the third album, Take Me Back to Eden, in it's entirety. I was hooked. I started listening to it during every workout. It did wonders in keeping me motivated. The lyrics, Vessel's vocals themselves, the shifts in genre... I loved it all.

It wasn't long before I started to dive head first into This Place Will Become Your Tomb, the second album, and Sundowning, their first full length album. There are a couple of EPs as well, and I listened to them too. It was just all so big and connected and I just couldn't let it go. I learned the Lore of Sleep and Vessel. From there I fell deep and hard.

I found out they were going to be playing in Toronto in May and decided I needed to go. I found myself a resale ticket for the Monday night show (there was also a show the Tuesday night) and booked a night in a hotel room and planned to work at the head office the Monday and Tuesday. From then I anxiously waited for that concert date.

The day finally rolled around and I was so excited. I packed my bag the night before and made the drive to Toronto...Markham, actually, because that's where work is. I went into the office for the day and the anticipation was killing me ALL DAY. Finally the work day ended and I went to check into my hotel and figure out dinner. With checking and dinner out of the way, I went back up to my room to change and then I went back downstairs to the lobby to wait for my Uber. We made excellent time getting downtown to Massey Hall. On arrival I didn't even have to wait in line to scan my ticket. I arrived during the last song by the opening act. I didn't know who they were, so I wasn't too worried. The main event was still to come.

While I was waiting in-between sets, I actually found a coworker there as well which was pretty cool. We chatted, but before long the show began. And what a beginning it was. Hearing TNDNBTG was incredible. Seeing Vessel walk out on stage was something to behold. I was completely enthralled. I finally understood the reason these concerts are called rituals, and we worship. The show was transcendent. I have never gotten so much out of a concert before. I rode that concert high from the Toronto night 1 ritual for weeks. I was a changed person.

Since that show, Sleep Token has remained a staple in my listening repertoire. I'm becoming ever more familiar with the Lore, and I am so interested in what the next album will be like. Sleep Token excites me, and they seem to have a track for every moment...at least for me.

I am a different person after knowing Sleep Token. It's wild how music can play such a pivotal role in your life. I had forgotten, as it hasn't been that way for me since my early-mid 20's. Since I'm rolling up on 40 here in less than two years... It's been a very long time.

I followed the European/UK tour on Tiktok. There are tons of fans sharing videos of the best moments. I have saved so many of them to watch again. Frankly, I can't wait to see them live again. Because I will make that happen.

So here I am: a Sleep Token fangirl. There will be a Sleep Token themed tattoo on me one of these days.