Sleep Token: The Elusive Band And Their Interviews

Sleep Token is a British metal band formed in London in 2016, with members remaining anonymous by wearing masks. The lead singer and primary songwriter of the band is known by the moniker Vessel. In a rare turn of events, the band's drummer, who goes by the pseudonym II, has given the first-ever video interview to Drumeo, with his face covered by his mask and his voice digitally distorted. This is the first recorded interview of any member of Sleep Token, although the band has done a few text-only interviews in the past.

Drummer II's first interview

Drummer II, also known as Adam Pedder, has given Sleep Token fans a rare glimpse behind the band's veil, participating in an interview with Drumeo. This interview marked the first time any member of the band had done a video interview, with II choosing to keep his identity hidden behind a mask and his voice digitally distorted.

During the hour-long video, II performed a dozen different drum play-throughs of various Sleep Token songs, offering insight into his experience in the band, his influences, and his creative process. He discussed his favourite Sleep Token songs to play live, the evolution of his drumming style, and his approach to writing drum parts for the band.

II's real name and background were also revealed in the interview. Born on September 17, 1991, in Swindon, Wiltshire, UK, Pedder began his musical journey at a young age, driven by his fascination with rhythm and beats. Before joining Sleep Token, he played in several other bands, including Belial, As Winter Burns White, and Morbid Remains.

The interview provided a unique opportunity for fans to learn more about the man behind the drums and his contributions to Sleep Token's genre-blending sound. II's drumming plays a crucial role in shaping the band's unique style, with his meticulous drum parts complementing the vocals and other instruments. His performance in songs like "The Summoning" and "Like That" showcases his ability to create complex, interactive drum arrangements.

II's first interview broke new ground for Sleep Token, offering a rare personal connection between the band and its fans, while still maintaining the air of mystery that surrounds the group.

Band members' anonymity

Sleep Token is a British metal band formed in London in 2016. The members of the band have remained anonymous, wearing masks and cloaks to obscure their faces and adopting pseudonyms. The band's focus on anonymity and visual style has drawn comparisons to similar practices employed by bands like Ghost, Slipknot, and Gwar.

The lead singer and primary songwriter of Sleep Token is known as "Vessel". Vessel is the only member of the band who has been credited as a performer and songwriter on their studio albums. Before becoming the enigmatic Vessel, his real name was Leo George Faulkner, and he was known for his work in the ambient duo Blacklit Canopy with Gemma Matthews.

The drummer of Sleep Token is known as "II" or Adam Pedder. II has been the only member of the band, apart from Vessel, who has been given songwriting credits. II's face was covered by a mask, and his voice was digitally distorted in the first recorded video interview of any Sleep Token member.

The bassist for Sleep Token is known as "III" or Dave Ball. There is less public information about his earlier musical endeavors, but he is known to have toured with the band Architects.

The guitarist and backup vocalist for Sleep Token is known as "IV" or Rhys Griffiths. Before joining Sleep Token, IV was a member of the metalcore band Continents, where he developed a heavy yet melodic guitar style.

Sleep Token's anonymous and masked personas create a unique and immersive experience for their audience, building a compelling narrative around their music. The band has asked fans to report anyone claiming to be a member of the band, as some people have taken advantage of their anonymity for personal gain.

Interview with Metal Hammer

Sleep Token is a British metal band formed in London in 2016. The members of the band remain anonymous, wearing masks to obscure their faces and not speaking during performances. The band is also press-shy, with singer-songwriter Vessel not having done an interview in over five years.

However, Sleep Token has granted a few rare interviews, including two with Metal Hammer. The first interview with Metal Hammer took place in May 2017, around the time of the band's signing with Basick Records. In this interview, Vessel expanded on the lore of the band, stating that they served "Sleep" and projected his message. When asked about Sleep, Vessel described Sleep as a deity that he encountered in a dream, promising glory and magnificence if followed.

The second interview with Metal Hammer is not as well-documented, but it likely delved into similar topics as the first. These topics may include the band's unique image, their musical style, and their anonymous identities.

In addition to the Metal Hammer interviews, Sleep Token has also granted interviews to other publications, such as Kerrang!, Rock Sound, and Revolver. The band's drummer, II, also gave a video interview to Drumeo, which was the first recorded interview by any member of the band. In this interview, II discussed his influences, favourite songs to play live, and the evolution of his drumming style.

Despite their press-shyness, Sleep Token has achieved commercial and critical success, with their third album, "Take Me Back to Eden," receiving several accolades. The band has also gained attention for their anonymous personas and unique image, drawing comparisons to artists like Ghost, Slipknot, and Gwar.

II's interview with Drumeo

Sleep Token drummer II gave his first-ever interview to Drumeo in 2024. The masked UK band are known for being press-shy, with singer-songwriter Vessel not having done an interview in over five years. In the hour-long video, II performs a dozen drum play-throughs of Sleep Token songs and discusses his experience in the band.

II talks about his influences, including UK dance music, drum and bass, R&B, and pop. He also cites metal drummers Joey Jordison of Slipknot and Matthew McDonough of Mudvayne as early influences. II describes his playing style as a mixture of Abe Cunningham of Deftones-inspired grooves with a linear style and gospel influence.

II also discusses the evolution of his drumming, noting that while his stylistic approach has remained the same, his vocabulary on the kit has expanded. He works on not repeating phrases or using them in the same voicing to keep his parts interesting. He also talks about his favourite drummers, including Eric Moore, Tony Royster Jr., and Thomas Pridgen.

In the interview, II also reveals his approach to writing drum parts, focusing on paying close attention to the vocals and specific syncopation that the drums must match. He also mentions that his live performances often differ from the album versions, as he likes to offer fans a fresh experience at each show.

II names "Higher" from the band's debut album "Sundowning" and "The Summoning" from their more recent work as his favourite songs to perform live. "The Summoning" features a live drum solo that gives him creative freedom.

Written interview in 2017

Sleep Token is a British metal band formed in London in 2016. The band is known for keeping its members' identities anonymous, with the members wearing masks to obscure their faces. Singer-songwriter Vessel and drummer II are the only members of the band who have been credited as performers and songwriters on Sleep Token's studio albums.

In 2017, Sleep Token did a written interview with Metal Hammer, the publication that premiered their song "Calcutta." This was the band's first-ever interview and was conducted at the time of their signing with Basick Records. In the interview, Vessel expanded on the lore of the band, stating that "We are here to serve Sleep and project His message." When asked about Sleep, Vessel said, "He is everywhere, at all times. Vessel encountered Sleep in a dream, with the promise of glory and magnificence if Vessel followed Him."

This written interview from 2017 is particularly notable as it is one of the only times that Vessel has spoken to the press. In fact, according to a Reddit post from December 2024, Sleep Token has only done two interviews as a band, with the second being a video interview with drummer II for Drumeo in 2024.

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