Sleep Token , a British band that blends metal, pop, and R&B under the enigmatic leadership of "Vessel ," has been gaining prominence and becoming a rising name in metal, especially after their new album Even In Arcadia , released by RCA Records .
Formed in 2016 in the United Kingdom, Sleep Token cultivates mystery. Although not new to the rock and metal scene, the members adopt pseudonyms with vocalist Vessel at the forefront, accompanied by musicians identified by the numbers II, III , and IV , who hide their identities behind masks and body paint.
After their debut album Sundowning (2019), followed by This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021), the band released the album that began to solidify their success. Take Me Back to Eden (2023) achieved a large volume of streams , becoming one of the most listened-to metal albums on streaming platforms in 2023.
The fruits of Even In Arcadia
It didn't take long for Sleep Token to enter the festival circuit and larger venues, and in 2023 the band received a nomination and won in the Best UK Artist at the Heavy Music Awards . With the album Even In Arcadia , Sleep Token truly exploded onto the scene. Released in May, the band managed to reach the top of the British charts for the first time in their career just days after its debut. Sleep Token's fourth album also topped the US Billboard . In addition to selling over 47,000 vinyl units and achieving excellent streaming numbers, it broke several records in the hard rock genre.
Korn guitarists Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer praised the band's performance at the Download Festival in England. It was the first time the band had headlined a festival of that size. Recently, drummer II was one of the guests who participated in the Back to the Beginning , which marked Black Sabbath 's final show in July 2025.
Sleep Token, in addition to breaking records with their latest album, has been growing within festivals and increasing its popularity among younger audiences. Due to its blend of metal and electronic music, its sound serves as a gateway to the world of heavy music.
Theatrical and ritualistic experience in the shows
In 2025, the band embarked on a North American tour of large arenas, marked by sold-out shows in several cities . This achievement indicates that the group is already able to draw large audiences outside of the United Kingdom.
The tour began on September 16th in Duluth, Georgia, and ended on October 11th in Los Angeles at the Crypto Arena, for 20,000 people. The venue allowed the band to do justice to the grandeur of the album—lights, effects, dense interludes. The Los Angeles finale was emotional, symbolizing a moment of transition: from a niche band to an arena headliner. Sleep Token proved its relevance and why it has been cited as a revelation of modern metal.
The band used elaborate sets, such as a multi-tiered castle with an integrated waterfall, reproduced at festivals across Europe and shows in the US. All of this creates an audiovisual experience that every music fan should experience.
After the show, Sleep Token left a message on social media – which may give us hope for new shows, although the band has no official dates for new performances. The band said: “With the Los Angeles Ritual now relegated to memory, the Even In Arcadia of North America comes to an end. We are eternally grateful to everyone who attended — these nights belonged to you. Until our paths cross again. Now they rest.”
The mystery surrounding the identity
Since the emergence of Sleep Token, the mystery surrounding the members' identities has become an essential part of the group's narrative. But as their success grew, so did the investigations and rumors about who is behind the masks.
To maintain anonymity at all costs, the group avoids personal interviews and rarely speaks outside of official statements, claiming that anonymity is part of their artistic proposition. In an interview with Kerrang !, vocalist Vessel explained: “The true identities behind Sleep Token are immaterial and ultimately irrelevant. Our identity is represented by the art itself. The goal with Sleep Token is to offer something that people can engage with and relate to without being obstructed by the identity of its creator. Our aesthetic exists to fill the void left by that absence.”
The press has noted subtle lineup changes between tours, suggesting that Sleep Token is not a fixed band, just as is the case with Ghost , led by Tobias Forge , which works with hired musicians.
Who is behind the Sleep Token masks?
Despite the mysteries, there is a fan site and news website about Sleep Token, curiously with the domain sleeptoken.com , which provides a complete dossier on the band members. According to the site, the vocalist Vessel is actually Leo George Faulkner , 32, who has been involved in various musical projects, including a solo project called Dusk and the duo Blacklit Canopy . Leo was also a piano teacher and "this passion for progressive metal would later shine through in Sleep Token's music ," with its "intricate layers and soundscapes that blended genres," the site theorizes.
According to the website, drummer II would be Adam Pedder , the most active member of the group, sharing insights about his drumming journey and performances with Sleep Token. Adam was part of the bands Belial , As Winter Burns White , and Morbid Remains . Bassist III would be Dave Ball , known for touring with the band Architects . Finally, guitarist and backing vocalist IV would be Rhys Griffiths , former member of the metalcore band Continents . The website also reveals the possible identity of the backing vocal trio, known as Espera , supposedly formed by Mathilda Riley , Paige Lucip , and Lynsey Ward . The latter two show photos from the Sleep Token show on their Instagram .
It's important to emphasize that, despite speculation, the identities of the Sleep Token members have not been officially confirmed. In fact, Kerrang ! found that the number one rule on the band's official Reddit page is that "revealing the real names or providing information that leads to the identification of the members is strictly prohibited." This is a sign of "respect and gratitude," according to user PersimmonOwn2478.
READ ALSO: Korn praises Sleep Token's show: "They were bigger than a Slipknot stage"
