SLEEP TOKEN are a British Rock collective, and are a masked, anonymous group of musicians said to be united in their worship of an ancient deity identified as "Sleep," who appeared to the band's lead singer, "Vessel." in a dream. In 2019, they released their debut album titled "Sundowning," and return now with their sophomore release, titled "This Place Will Become Your Tomb," which contains a dozen new tracks. To quote a fan named Ed Rackham on Youtube, "life is like a box of SLEEP TOKEN, you never know what you are going to get." Man, if that isn't the truth. Since they prefer not to talk about themselves, but rather their music, let's dive right into the album.

"Atlantic" leads off the album. Soft, charming piano notes open the song. Vessel's vocals are quite poignant, singing about "bodies buried in the water." A sad affair, it rolls forward with the simple but potent melody, then in comes the heavy tones to make sure those bodies are buried deep. It ends with the lyric line "don't wake me up." "Hypnosis" begins with much heavier and angrier tones, and some really nice drum lines. The mood is dark and somber. The beefy guitar parts are nearly enough to wash away the sentimental vocals, as it goes deeper and darker towards the end. "Mine" features much fluffier tones, and even what sounds like some Eastern instruments. "You will be mine" he vows. Big accents usher in an engaging melody line.

"Like That" is another song that seamlessly blends shadowy tones with more ethereal ones. The electronica keeps the song in the murky territory, while the expressive vocals offer more eloquent tones. "Do you like that?" he muses. "The Love you Want" was the second single released on the album, and the haunting but pretty melodies still linger on my conscious. The video is quite dark, with Vessel presumably taking his life at the beckoning of the lead dancer. It's such a beautiful song...genres be damned. "Fall for Me" is unabashedly Pop sounding, with vocals and keys playing in unison, with no other instruments. Again, it's absolutely gorgeous, Though short, it lasts a long time in your memory.

"Alkaline" was the first single presented on the album. It's both powerful and angry, with harsh key lines creating a warning in the opening sequence. Once it gets going, there is no stopping tis runaway locomotive...it burns everything in sight, with vigorous and weighted tones wrapping up the song. "Distraction" goes the other direction, with charming piano notes and thoughtful vocals...talking about being broken into fractions. It's a soft and charming song, with everything coming together at the end, and I believe he is saying "It's too late for me." "Descending" is probably about one slowly slipping into the bowels of the earth. It begins with a steady pulse of keys and ethereal vocals. Harmonized vocals come in next, while percussion puts accents into the mix. It fades away with darker tones.

"Telomeres" sounds like the easy tones coming from a smoky jazz club long after most patrons have gone home for the morning. The composer is lost in the nuances of his composition while only a few of the patrons are able to let themselves free to get lost in the charismatic song. Just when you think you may have heard it all from the band..."High Water" opens with a grim landcape, with eerie keyboard notes and terse vocals. As it moves on, guitars and drums join the fold, and it begins to build into a more compelling and dynamic sound, ending on harsher but still melodic tones that stir your senses. "Missing Limbs" closes the album. The contrast between the title and the sound presented is quite stark. It's another beautiful song that just hollows you out. A last gasp of humanity perhaps? I don't know, but it lingers in your palate long after it's over.

Life is indeed "like a box of SLEEP TOKEN...you never know what you are going to get." These words are staggering, and prophetic. The album is full of diverse offerings that truly defy genre labels, in every sense of that phrase. It's clear that the vision the composer(s) have for the band is crystal clear for them, but perhaps not so much for the listener. Herein lies their well-guarded secret. Their music is very personal, and that shines through brighter on this album than on "Sundowning," which still had many memorable moments on it. Vessel's lyrics come from multiple places it seems...from hurt, from loss, from love (forlorn or realized), even from the sad state of humanity. You either know and love this band, or you are a sheep...forever slave to the grind of the Metal music industry. Awaken. Divert. Relinquish. Worship.