Sleep Token live at Reading 2023. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Masked metal collective Sleep Token has surprise-released the instrumental version of their latest studio album, Even In Arcadia. The release follows the record's massive commercial success and critical acclaim since its debut last year.
The London-based band released their fourth studio effort last May, achieving a rare double-feat by topping both the UK Albums chart and the US Billboard 200. The album also produced the band’s first-ever UK top 10 single with the track "Caramel."
The new instrumental edition is currently available on all major streaming platforms. For physical collectors, a colored vinyl edition is scheduled for release on August 7, with pre-orders and pre-saves now live.
This release continues a tradition for the enigmatic group. Sleep Token previously issued instrumental versions of their 2019 debut Sundowning and 2021’s This Place Will Be Your Tomb. Notably, their 2023 breakout record, Take Me Back To Eden, has yet to receive a similar treatment.
Fans can listen to Even In Arcadia (Instrumental) below:
Beyond its chart performance, Even In Arcadia marked a significant milestone for the band by earning them their first two Grammy nominations. They were recognized in the Best Metal Performance category for "Caramel" and Best Rock Performance for "Emergence," though the awards ultimately went to Turnstile and Yungblud, respectively.
In December, the group expanded the album's universe by sharing a coloring book inspired by Even In Arcadia, featuring 25 designs spanning their genre-fluid career.
The original vocal version of the album received a perfect five-star review from NME, which praised the record for building on the "bravery of its predecessor" and showcasing the most "exposed version of Vessel" to date. The review concluded: "From Eden to Arcadia – and beyond – let the worship continue."
The band’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Following a landmark headline set at Download Festival last summer—a performance that earned high praise from metal veterans KoRn—fans are now turning their attention to other potential releases. There is currently significant demand for a full release of the reworked version of "Rain," which was recently featured in the trailer for The Game Awards.