By Jase Walker
Figuring getting there for doors would be the best I could possibly make for tonight’s show, I’ve turned up to the venue to end up on some mad journey round several streets in one of the longest queues I’ve ever seen in Manchester. Good thing the first act isn’t on until 8pm!
Sleep Token climbs ever higher through the tiers of venues and for this tour in particular, has seen possibly the quickest venue sell outs they’ve had so far. Tonight’s support, Northlane, are of particular interest to me though. Both bands tonight have just finished up a multi date tour across Germany in support of Architects (not totally jealous at all), and are ripping through a tour in the UK that so many people are talking about and I have the privilege of getting in on it.
The moment the stage darkens and I hear the starting synth for ‘Clarity’ I’m immediately on massive hype mode, opened with a quiet solo vocal but from Marcus as the rest walk on stage. Seems I’m not the only one buzzing to be seeing Northlane again with the put that’s opened up for them almost immediately, also nothing quite makes me fanboy harder than having Marcus point right at me for singing along to them! ‘Echo Chamber’ gets a massive cheer from the crowd as well with the pit just bouncing away like mad. To say I’m losing my mind a bit is quite the understatement, I adore Northlane! They’ve been going at it so hard they’ve had to replace the snare as well!
A banger from ‘Alien’, ‘4D’ sees the mosh pit in the centre grow ever bigger and they all understand their assignment, it’s time to make it even bigger and smash into each other for that post chorus breakdown. I’ve been singing along so enthusiastically I wonder if I’ll have a voice for work tomorrow. Next up is some on-beat arm waving for ‘Carbonized’, a fine example of Northlane’s ear for a catchy groove and uplifting chorus. It’s great seeing that the crowd is here every bit as much for Northlane as they are for Sleep Token, especially considering they’re a bit of an unusual pairing sound-wise. A personal favourite of mine off their ‘Obsidian‘ album, ‘Clockwork’, by now almost the entire crowd is bouncing along and screaming its chorus, fantastic. ‘Bloodlines’ further provokes madness with its unbridled anger, feeding more and more energy to everyone. ‘Talking Heads’ sees the set out, inviting a flood of crowd surfers and Josh jumping off stage to crowd surf while playing the breakdown, brave man! Welcome back guys, you’ve been missed.
Bizarrely the crowd starts singing “hey baby, ooh ahh” before Sleep Token walk on, Vessel steps up for a solo vocal intro similar to Northlane. A stage beset with various plants and dry tree roots surrounding the gang vocal mics, Sleep Token never disappoints on their live aesthetic. Deciding to lead with the latest singles of ‘Chokehold’ and recent ÜR #VideoOfTheWeek ‘The Summoning’, which have dropped in unusually quick succession, clearly they’ve resonated with everyone here tonight because the crowd is a sea of movement and screams. It’s also impressive how they’re using the trio of backing singers for layering as well as accentuating the vocal lines, the atmosphere of this show is already stunning.
There’s something so easy to get lost in-between the soft, crooning voice of Vessel against the crushingly heavy guitar work that Sleep Token are well known for and in a venue like the Albert Hall in Manchester, it fills every single corner of the venue. The bass synth track to ‘Dark Signs’ shakes my legs as it rumbles through the floor, and the melancholic chorus, heavy with emotion stops the crowd smashing into each other to briefly have them sing in unison. Following that up with a major callback to their earlier material ‘Nazareth’, arguably this or ‘Jaws’ was what propelled them right into the mainstream through viral success. The use of lighting in this show, especially when the strobes really start going wild drives the crescendos of their songs, and there is no shortage of them being used either.
The first two notes of ‘Alkaline’ immediately causes shivers to run up my spine, an incredibly atmospheric song from their last album and clearly popular with everyone else as well! Honestly I’m unsure if it’s just the vantage point I have or whether the crowd is actually that mental but for most of this show I’ve seen the entire floor area of the crowd constantly surging back and forth, it’s quite a sight to behold. The breakdown for ‘Higher’, as it leads up to it with repeating “the debt that I owe” results in complete carnage. Those who may not have seen a Sleep Token live show probably think it’s a bit more tame but I can assure you, it absolutely isn’t.
Finally at the encore, it starts with my absolute favourite song by them, ‘The Night Does Not Belong To God’, its hypnotic melody rings out across the venue signaling the closure of tonight’s incredible set. One last song though, arguably their biggest song, “The Offering”, not only are people already bouncing away like their life depends on it but the breakdown has the pit open up massively in anticipation before it hits; when it does, this raw insanity of it lets loose across the breadth of the entire venue, madness. Sleep Token have gotten better every single time I’ve seen them, and this show at the Albert Hall has shown they’re still capable of upping their game. Outstanding show.
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