History of Sleep Token in Timeline

Sleep Token is an anonymous English rock band formed in 2016. Known for their masked identities, they initially self-released their debut EP, One, in 2016 before signing with Basick Records for their follow-up EP, Two. They later signed with Spinefarm Records, releasing albums Sundowning (2019) and This Place Will Become Your Tomb (2021). In 2023, they released Take Me Back to Eden. Their fourth album, Even in Arcadia, was released in May 2025 through RCA Records.

September 2016: Release of "Thread the Needle"

In September 2016, Sleep Token debuted with the release of their first single, "Thread the Needle".

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2016: Formation of Sleep Token

In 2016, Sleep Token, an English rock band known for its anonymous members wearing masks, was formed in London. The band self-released their debut EP *One* in 2016.

February 28, 2017: Release of "Hey Ya!" cover

On February 28, 2017, Sleep Token released a cover of "Hey Ya!", which was originally performed by OutKast.

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May 2017: Signing with Basick Records and Release of "Calcutta"

In May 2017, Sleep Token signed with the independent record label Basick Records. Also in May 2017, the band released the single "Calcutta" ahead of their upcoming EP *Two* release.

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2017: Basick Records' Description of Sleep Token

In 2017, Sleep Token's then-new label Basick Records described them as "the mortal representatives of the ancient deity known only as 'Sleep'", led by Vessel. It also states that only two interviews have ever been granted.

2018: Early Performances

In early 2018, Sleep Token supported Loathe alongside Holding Absence, performed at festivals including Camden Rocks, and performed at Maida Vale Studios for the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show.

June 2019: Signing with Spinefarm Records and Announcement of Sundowning

In June 2019, Sleep Token signed with Spinefarm Records, a subsidiary of Universal. At the same time, their debut album *Sundowning* was announced with "The Night Does Not Belong to God" released as the first single.

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2019: Release of Sundowning

In 2019, Sleep Token signed with Spinefarm Records and released their first full-length album, *Sundowning*.

2020: Cancellations and Release of The Room Below

In 2020, several Sleep Token shows were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the summer of 2020, the band released an expanded version of *Sundowning* with four new piano-based tracks known as *The Room Below*.

March 2021: Cancellation of 'The Isolation Rituals' shows

In March 2021, Sleep Token's five socially-distanced shows called "The Isolation Rituals" were cancelled due to ongoing pandemic-related concerns.

September 2021: Release of This Place Will Become Your Tomb

In September 2021, Sleep Token released their second album, *This Place Will Become Your Tomb*, which debuted on the UK and Scottish Albums Charts.

2021: Release of "Jaws" and "The Way That You Were" on Vinyl

In 2021, Sleep Token released "Jaws" and "The Way That You Were" together on 10" vinyl for Record Store Day.

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2021: Release of This Place Will Become Your Tomb

In 2021, Sleep Token released their second full-length album, *This Place Will Become Your Tomb*.

January 2022: Featured on Metal Hammer Magazine Cover

In January 2022, Sleep Token was featured as a cover artist for Metal Hammer magazine.

2022: Announcement of UK and Australian Tours

Towards the end of 2022, Sleep Token announced a UK headline tour for January 2023 supported by Northlane, as well as an Australian tour for April/May.

January 2023: Release of 'Chokehold', 'The Summoning', 'Granite' and 'Aqua Regia'

In January 2023, Sleep Token released "Chokehold" on January 5th, "The Summoning" on January 6th, "Granite" two weeks later and "Aqua Regia" the following day, ahead of their shows in Germany.

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March 2023: Nomination for Best UK Artist at Heavy Music Awards

In March 2023, Sleep Token was nominated for Best UK Artist at the Heavy Music Awards.

April 2023: Viral Fart Incident during Sydney Performance

On April 29, 2023, video footage of Sleep Token's performance of "Atlantic" in Sydney, Australia, went viral due to an audible fart from an audience member.

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May 2023: Release of Take Me Back to Eden

In May 2023, Sleep Token released their third album, *Take Me Back to Eden*.

May 2023: Release of Take Me Back to Eden and Change in Production

In May 2023, Sleep Token released their third album, *Take Me Back to Eden*. The album marked a shift in their creative process, as they worked with Carl Bown instead of George Lever, and Vessel took on a co-producer role.

May 2023: Won Best UK Artist at Heavy Music Awards

In May 2023, Sleep Token won the Best UK Artist award at the Heavy Music Awards.

December 2023: Sold-Out Show at Wembley Arena and Mask Reveal

In May 2023, Sleep Token announced a standalone headline show at Wembley Arena in December 2023, which sold out within 10 minutes. During the show, the band revealed new masks.

2023: Critical Acclaim for Take Me Back to Eden

Following their success, in 2023, *Take Me Back to Eden* was voted as the best album of the year by Metal Hammer readers, and ranked fourth by the magazine's writers. Revolver and Rock Sound also named it the best album of the year.

February 2024: Take Me Back to Eden Sales Milestone

By February 2024, Sleep Token's album *Take Me Back to Eden* had sold over 50,000 copies in the United Kingdom.

February 2024: Signing with RCA Records

On February 14, 2024, Sleep Token announced their signing with RCA Records.

2024: Accolades Received in 2024

In 2024, Sleep Token continued to receive accolades, including Take Me Back to Eden winning Best Album at the Heavy Music Awards on August 22, and the Billboard Music Awards naming Sleep Token a finalist for Top Hard Rock Album on November 25, which they won on December 12.

February 2025: Teasing New Music and Album

On February 19, 2025, Sleep Token released a TikTok video teasing new music and directing people to a website hinting at the upcoming album through the Shugborough inscription. On February 27, 2025, the band created two separate Instagram accounts for the respective houses Veridian and The Feathered Host, to which sheet music was posted, hinting at another unreleased song.

March 2025: Release of "Emergence" and Album Announcement

On March 13, 2025, Sleep Token released the single "Emergence" and announced their fourth album, *Even in Arcadia*, to be released on May 9, 2025. Within a week, the single landed on the Billboard Hot 100.

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April 2025: Release of "Caramel" and Collaboration with Chris Michaels

On April 4, 2025, Sleep Token released the second single, "Caramel", from *Even in Arcadia* album. The band also collaborated with meteorologist Chris Michaels to tease the track. The single landed on place 34 of the Billboard Hot 100 for 1 week after its release.

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