WHILE SHE SLEEPS have released a special expanded edition of latest album ‘SLEEPS SOCIETY’ via Search & Destroy / Spinefarm. The new version of the record features five new and re-imagined tracks to the original and is available on CD and digital now with vinyl to follow (available for pre-order now). Previous single ‘SYSTEMATIC’ gets the update treatment with a new verse from Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds, which provides some cutting social commentary in-keeping with the ethos of the track.
While She Sleeps’ latest single ‘EYE TO EYE’ is a brand new addition to the album. The track was released in April with a cinematic epic of a music video, clocking in at over seven and a half minutes. The music video was directed by the band themselves, featuring a star turn from vocalist Lawrence Taylor who plays two versions of himself in the bloody fervor.
“With this song and video, we wanted to push our DIY attitude to the limits, especially with the visuals,” says guitarist Mat Welsh when speaking on ‘EYE TO EYE’. “The entire video was directed and filmed by the band. We came up with the concept, built the sets, designed the choreography, wrote the score, directed the acting, and cut the edit. It’s our biggest visual project to date.
The song also contains gang vocals from Sleeps Society members – we recorded them at the warehouse (the band’s creative space in Sheffield) with 100+ people and also had members send in their vocals so we could get them on the song.
We wanted the video to visually present what one can feel in the midst of a mind attack of any kind. Wherever the negativity is coming from, we always seem to split ourselves into two. The one who’s in pain, the one running away internally, and the one causing the pain. It’s always a battle with ourselves and we get lost in between these storms.”
The original version of ‘SLEEPS SOCIETY’ was released in April 2021, to critical and fan acclaim. The band chose a non-chart-eligible retailer local to them to push the album, which racked up first week numbers that would have landed them in the Official Charts Top Ten. Co-produced by While She Sleeps guitarist Sean Long and longtime collaborator Carl Bown, ‘SLEEPS SOCIETY’ was nominated for Best Production at this year’s Heavy Music Awards with the band also nominated in Best Live Artist and Best UK Artist categories, and ultimately winning the inaugural “Innovation” award for the society itself. The album’s single ‘NERVOUS’, which features Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro on guest vocals, reached the BBC Radio 1 Playlist, provoking discussion around mental health struggles and coping strategies, drawing upon Sean Long’s own experiences with anxiety.
‘SLEEPS SOCIETY’ (and its expanded edition) is a true manifestation of While She Sleeps’ extremely close relationship with their fans. Members of the band’s Sleeps Society subscription service (powered by Patreon and launched alongside the album’s initial launch) have been gaining access to exclusive perks and receiving insight, and even input, into the working of the band and production of their material and tours. While She Sleeps recently put on and played the first members-only Sleeps Society gig at Rebellion in Manchester.
2022 will see While She Sleeps flex their profound live prowess worldwide, appearing at a plethora of European festivals including Hellfest, Graspop and Hurricane & Southside. They were recently seen supporting Wage War in North America and will be headlining in Australia this summer. In addition, Sleeps are main support to Parkway Drive on their UK and European arena shows later in the year.
‘SLEEPS SOCIETY’ SPECIAL EDITION TRACKLISTING:
01 ENLIGHTENMENT(?)
02 YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED
03 SYSTEMATIC FEAT. Rou Reynolds
04 EYE TO EYE
05 NERVOUS FEAT. Simon Neil
06 PYAI
07 KNOW YOUR WORTH (SOMEBODY)
08 NO DEFEAT FOR THE BRAVE FEAT. Deryck Whibley
09 THE ENEMY IS THE INNER ME
10 DIVISION STREET
11 SLEEPS SOCIETY
12 FAKERS PLAGUE
13 THE LONG WAY HOME
14 YOU ARE ALL YOU NEED (Acoustic)
15 CALL OF THE VOID
16 DN3 3HT
