It is well known that the music industry is built to go against the artist, something that has become increasingly clear in the recent pandemic and the devastating effects it has brought on the music industry. While She Sleeps are a band that have always been for the artist and pro-independence, so it was only fitting that they started their own fan-funded initiative – Sleeps Society. First announced as a membership program on Patreon, where pledgers receive exclusive perks and content, Sleeps Society is now the bands fifth full-length album and in typical While She Sleeps style, it goes hard.
Sleeps Society is full of jaw dropping riffs, which the band are notorious for due to the insane talent of guitarists Sean Long and Mat Welsh. There are a number of heavier tracks, such as the title track and ‘You Are All You Need’’, which are certain to make current fans mosh with joy. The dirty and clean vocals, by Lawrence Taylor and Mat Welsh respectively, are distinctive and add dimension to each song. The layering of the instrumentals and vocals add grit when needed, and smoothness elsewhere in a way that establishes While She Sleeps as a key British metalcore band.
The album is broken down by instrumental/chilled out tracks ‘PYAI’, ‘Division Street’, and ‘DN3 3HT’, which not only provide a rest stop for the previously mentioned moshing, but also draws attention to the level of production that was put into the album. The high quality production is a testament to the band’s hard work and skill level, especially when taking into consideration this was an independent and fan-funded venture – all done in their warehouse/studio space in Sheffield.
There are several surprising features on the full length. ‘Nervous’, featuring Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, ‘No Defeat For The Brave’, featuring Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley, and the extra special ‘Call The Void’, which features vocals from Sleeps Society patrons. The latter drives home the point that While She Sleeps not only value their fans, but also want them to be a part of the process that they helped fund. This, of course, was an amazing opportunity for the fans involved, but also added a unique element to the album that makes it special.
From the collaborations, to the messages of songs like ‘You Are All You Need’ there is a clear emphasis on the ‘society’ in Sleeps Society. While She Sleeps aimed to produce something that brings fans and artists together, and has smashed it out of the park in a way only While She Sleeps knows how – by making an album that ignites a raging flame within you.
