Drummer rejoices as Sleep Token II breaks his silence!

[@BrandonToews]

Great video!

[@SteveOGRock]

Great interview sir! 👏🏻 What absolutely mammoth moment you have brought us.

[@BrandonToews]

@@SteveOGRock - thanks man! It’s an absolute honor.

[@TheLumberJacked]

@@BrandonToews so happy to see a Canadian business run by some pretty amazing people absolutely kill it like you are. I keep getting surprised by the guests you have on and start thinking, “well, at this point they couldn’t surprise me even more”, then you bring on Sleep Token. I’m about 1000% sure you guys have cemented yourselves as the absolute best place for legends to visit, challenge themselves and your students/viewers and showcase their talent. You guys handle these musicians with such respect and kindness and look like you are having fun the whole time. It’s a radical shift from the normally stuffy sources of this kind of content of old. I wish you guys all the best to you and the Drumeo staff in 2024. I know it’s hard flipping work, but you guys make it look easy (that’s a compliment). God bless you guys. And may 2024 be your year of awesome.

[@llSplice]

So happy to see II getting the recognition he deserves. Also loved the songs they chose to highlight. For us long time Sleep Token fans, this was a real treat.

[@saintuk70]

Recognition, not sure that's there... it's an interview with a drummer of a band - it's not holding him up on a pedestal. Anyhoo .....

[@llSplice]

@@saintuk70 Having him play a full set on the largest drum focused channel would be considered recognition..

[@ethanp1erce]

Let’s make it clear that fans are fans… you’re not on a pedestal “OG” lolololololololol

[@louisianimal24]

@@saintuk70at least you tried brodie

[@sandcake]

I watched this live with 8000+ people in the chat, and it still feels surreal after all these years. When they introduced the new masks and mentioned "a new era," it clearly signifies more than just new costumes on stage. And I'm here for it.

[@risenbybronco]

honestly they have single-handedly changed the music scene forever. great video!

[@SteveOGRock]

They likely have indeed! Thanks!

[@timhutchinson8485]

I'm not a drummer, but this was one of the most fascinating interview/playing session videos I've ever watched. We obviously don't know who II is yet, but he seems very articulate and well-spoken.

[@johncarpenter3751]

I watched this live, it’s was amazing. The chat was calling him Darth Token and Darth II because of the voice modulation Also the live chat was surprised he compared his playing style to the Deftones drummer

[@SteveOGRock]

😂 that’s brilliant

[@eric_stewart]

That’s interesting that people were surprised at the Abe Cunningham comparison. I’ve always thought that was the most obvious influence of all for II

[@PaulOG..]

That was fascinating; not surprising but he seems incredibly considered and deliberate about his art. Hope to see you watch a couple (or all) of his performances from that video

[@maximusdeusmanus3132]

I absolutely love that on a higher quality camera it is really easy to see his glorious mustache through his mask. But in all seriousness, hearing his specific influences was really cool as I was fully aware of some of them through his playing alone, but now I have some other people to check out too now. Also, I love that he speaks in a way that is so precise and considered, it’s almost exactly how Vessel spoke in his interview. They way they speak in interviews not only shows their commitment to anonymity, but also shows that they really know what they’re talking about. Hearing (or reading) them talk about their music really cemented for me that their success isn’t fueled by luck, but rather their immense musical ability and intellect.

[@stephenhaw6943]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who watched and was like"that's gotta be a mustache right"

[@Michele-Elise]

This seriously blew my mind… I sometimes forget that Sleep Token consists of real musicians and not a band of mysterious super-beings. The interview still felt surreal to me though. It’s quite amazing having the privilege of tapping into their drummer’s world. II has an impeccable sense of range, melding genres in a way that gives him « Carte blanche » to do pretty much anything. As easy as it is to believe that II is an otherworldly character, the humanity beneath the mask is obvious. Such an eloquent and well versed speaker he is. Truly satisfied. I’m glad you reacted to this video.❤

[@SteveOGRock]

Yes. His way of articulating was so in keeping with the rest of what he presents.

[@craigbillow]

Absolutely fascinating to hear him speak and open up like this. So unexpected. The whole video was amazing. The performances were absurdly good… but to hear him describe his work and his inspirations was just surreal.

[@davidriddick82]

I have watched this three times, and I still cannot get over how incredible he is playing, but he is also so methodical, and how he speaks and so eloquent. It’s a brilliant gift that we got, to hear him speak and I feel like it’s a real gift to all sleep, token fans everywhere. I really hope you take it into consideration, recording your reaction to the performances because they are masterful. #WORSHIP 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SteveOGRock]

I will definitely checkout the full video at some stage and will make sure I'm recording for it 🤘🏻

[@mblue8]

4 times, plus this reaction :)

[@Gilescowdemdem]

The boys choosing Burial to have playing at Wembley whilst they set up the stage makes so much sense now. An anonymous producer known for incredibly original genre bending music, great inspiration

[@Emanate2]

What I noticed is, before Tobias Forge officially revealed he was the master mind behind Ghost, he used to answer to many interviews as a Nameless Ghoul, taking care to the words he used, speaking slow, using a lot his hands to put in form what he was saying. So it definitely has to do with the all "keeping the anonymity". II also probably had to speak slowly because of the modified voice.

[@SteveOGRock]

Interesting!

[@edelwiess2306]

Thanks Steve! Nice to see a reaction to this from another drummer. He’s just announced he’s nominated for Drumeo’s best drummer of the year, best metal drummer of the year and best drum recording (TMBTE). I obviously went immediately and voted for all 3!

[@SteveOGRock]

Noice!

[@cocoacrimson]

You missed a little bit (as there were a couple tiny breaks where ii talked throughout his performance of TMBTE) but I was sooo freaking excited when I watched this earlier🙌🏼🖤 I’m also thinking maybe he slowed down his speech so that his voice would still be coherent with the effect on it? I feel like if he had just rambled on, his words would have been all jumbled😆

[@SquizbarDeAlienOfficial]

I had the pleasure of watching the premiere live. It was an insane experience

[@gerardomorales4078]

Watching this today I felt like someone was telling me the secrets of the universe. 🙏🤘

[@SteveOGRock]

haha same! Like being on the other side of the Matrix.

[@Ennui.]

There were more drummers he mentioned as his influences during the playthrough of "Take me back to Eden", because the song has lots of drumless parts. He mostly mentioned some Gospel players, but at the end he said that his main inspiration nowadays is *Abe Cunnigham* of Deftones!

[@mikosobo2520]

He was also speaking in between parts of take me back to eden, highly recommend to rewatch it because there were many interesting things he said abiut his inspirations and past playing

[@SteveOGRock]

Ahhhhh damn. Welp I will eventually check out the full video I get the time so I’ll circle back. Thanks!

[@chadchapman8410]

comfort, confidence and control. This guy is next level>>>>

[@victoriaspano4481]

I'm still thinking about the Wembley show (and I probably will for a long long time) how you could FEEL every single hit of the drum in your ribcage because he has so much power behind each stroke! He is undeniable! I will be rewatching this interview alot just like I do with the offerings II recorded for TPWBYT on their channel. WORSHIP 🤘

[@joyjoyz778]

Yesss same I could feel it & I wasn't even that close 😂

[@SteveOGRock]

His snare sound through that venue's speakers could cut through diamonds. Just epic.

[@svein022]

Would love to watch individual reactions to each! Drummer has never been something I gravitate to in music and I so appreciate your insight allowing me to learn so much!

[@SteveOGRock]

It's certainly on my to-do list to watch the entire thing. Perhaps I'll find time between Christmas and New Year's. It's just a mad time of year right now.

[@bennyharderguitar]

Such an analytical approach. I’ve watched the video twice. II is one of the best in the business.

[@samcrorie]

Fascinating interview. I'm happy to see ii getting some much deserved attention.

[@rp.88]

He also mentioned Abe Cunningham from Deftones as an inspiration too. Makes sense, especially wih his snare sound.

[@joyjoyz778]

The interview itself was great, I like all the questions that were asked. I'm happy he played The Apparition!!!

[@highandtight5544]

He is patient zero. He is very well spoken, both on and off the kit.

[@saintuk70]

Can't wait for their Unmasked Tour then, after a few years, their OG Line-up tour 🤘

[@dosmatrix4470]

Oustanding. As a metal fan for over four decades the last time a group of musicians impacted me so much was Devin Townsend with Ocean Machine and Kardashev. Sleep Token are masters at what they paint for us.

[@MoistKitty_4]

Absolute PURE perfection! 🖤•WORSHIP• 🖤

[@PerfectSense77]

That stream was the greatest display of drumming I've heard since the first Mars Volta record came out. I've heard just about everything so not much blows my mind these days but that's was an insane musical tour de force.

[@hurlbag559]

3:31 I was about to comment that, so used to every gap/silence being filled with "uhhhh, ummm". Gives you so much more credibility with weight to said words

[@SteveOGRock]

100%

[@rickbegley3429]

Thanks for taking me through this Steve this was over my head the first time I heard it lol otherworldly stuff

[@felixkiesewetter]

Ever since I learned about Sleep Token 90% of my KZbin recommendations consist of ST playthroughs and videos like this one. I am a guitarist and bass player with no clues whatsoever about how to play drums. But II fascinates the living sh** out of me. Cant get enough.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I only found them last year from a. Comment from a dude in a Blimuri video and looked them up and heard alkaline first and been absolutely hooked since, as a bass player of 26 years he quickly became my favorite drummer ever, since Mike Portnoy, I even hear Mike Portnoy in some of his fills, this is a real treat! Would love iii to do one of these as well! His vocabulary is very thoughtful very intelligent musician so so cool he gave Matt from Mudvayne some recognition!! Matt is a monster and one of my favorites as well!!

[@SteveOGRock]

Yes! Loved the Mudvayne reference. "Dig" by them is one of my all time faves.

[@jesperschultz5568]

I genuinely thought you knew who they were allready. I really did. I respect the anonymity. And my god is he a beast. 😊🙏

[@SteveOGRock]

I do know who he is, but I’ve never heard him speak before. Only seen photos and videos of him drumming outside of ST (as well as him drumming in ST of course). I don’t speak about his identity on the channel though 🤐

[@jesperschultz5568]

@@SteveOGRock that is fantastic good sportmanship. They deserve to be anonymous. They deserve everything, for giving something this important, musically. I know #DrewFortune97 is well aware, the meaning of… HIM. Lore.. is.. important.

[@surf4tex]

That was soooo interesting to hear about his technic & methodology in creating & playing 😎👏

[@lisabyford]

Great reaction video. Lovely to see your enthusiasm.❤

[@mattthompson5908]

Just watched the whole video. Really cool to finally hear some insight about his process and whatnot

[@TheLumberJacked]

I swear it feels like I can see some Carter Beaufort influence, but that just may be II’s open play style which is pretty unique. Carter Beaufort is one of the cleanest drummers I’ve seen (an absolute monster) and for all the business II’s play feels just as clean. I agree he gives more space to things and isn’t locked into a sound, he is always evolving. Literally a legend at this point.

[@JuanTheDjent]

Such a fascinating video. Captivating.

[@CylonModel2]

Love that he chose Like That and Higher as two of his favourite songs to play. They are favourites of my wife and I along with Nazareth.

[@Owenator26]

Sounds like he's interviewing Darth Vader lol. This is awesome he was able to interview to interview him though. Take Me Back To Eden is one of my top album's of this year as well!

[@TheLumberJacked]

They have meticulously crafted everything about their sound and image. I think it’s fair to say that II would consider adjusting vocal cadence but also projecting a thoughtful reflective tone as being important to II’s character crafting. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he worked hard to hide HOW he talks just as much as the way he talks to maintain anonymity. That’s how they roll. Besides, any band that can mostly convince fans that an assemblage of different musicians from different backgrounds also worships the same obscure “Sleep God” says a lot about the legend crafting they also seem to enjoy. These are careful considered people. I’d suggest this is one of the first interviews because clearly Drumeo is trusted but also II maybe feel confident enough now in his ability to project what he wants the audience to see but in a live format. I’m sure Drumeo might even know who he is at this point but will have signed NDA’s etc. pretty darn cool. I respect the hustle.

[@MetalBere]

Amazing drummer

[@saranaturegirl123]

Thanks for that Steve. An early Christmas present for the fans. I wonder if other band members will do the same? Hearing a distorted voice shouldn't have been that exciting lol

[@SteveOGRock]

Haha I know right? I was positively giddy to hear some semblance of verbal language from the man 😁

[@saranaturegirl123]

@@SteveOGRock much excitement lol on a side note, saw what I assume were scam messages from you earlier. Proof if any were needed you are known on KZbin 🙃

[@SteveOGRock]

@@saranaturegirl123 haha! Well that’s a nice way to think of it, but yes I’ve been seeing those. Trying to flag them as spam and hide the user from the channel is like playing whack-a-mole 😅

[@B-rad37]

This was fascinating to watch.

[@SteveOGRock]

Cheers!

[@craigus1991]

Best drummer on the planet right now. Or at least top 3! So good! 🫨🖤🤘🏻

[@whycantihaveanumber00000]

You put this one together pretty quick

[@SteveOGRock]

I am speed! 😁

[@martinrivas40]

Do you play any instrument? Why he gave the 1st interview to DRUMEO? Because they wouldn't ask stupid questions. I tell you this I've seen and met a lot of drummers. To me, he is the only drummer that I can't just play the music, I HAVE TO WATCH HIM. WHY? BECAUSE HE IS SUPERB. THE WAY HE DISTRIBUTES THE HITS TO DRUMS AND CYMBALS, HIS SPEED IS MESMERIZING!!! HIS DRUM SET IS NOT EVEN BIG. HIS TECHNIC IS INCREDIBLE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO FIGHT AND HIT HARD THE DRUMS OR CYMBALS. THE WAY HE MOVES HIS HEAD WHILE HIS WAITING TO START PLAYING AFTER A CUT OR THE BEGINNING OF A SONG. YOU SEE HOW MUCH HE LOVES WHAT HE DOES FOR A LIVING. HE IS THE HEART AND BASE OF THE BAND. VESSEL SOUNDS LIKE DAVID GAHAN SOMETIMES. FOR ME THE DRUMMER IS THE BAND.

[@Lesminster]

I think he's talking slow because he actually thinks very deeply on answers. His drumming is master class to me. I hear in their songs everything he says here.

[@Pessimiist]

You really did miss a lot by not listening to the songs, because they lined them up in a way to show what he is thinking and giving examples.

[@imetzl9340]

I doubt he didnt watch this songs/ probably has a seperate video for each of them

[@SteveOGRock]

In truth this Christmas period is insanely busy for family and work life so I actually didn't have the time to watch the full thing but I could wait to hear him speak so I watched just the sections featured in this video. I will, when I have a good block of time, watch the entire thing properly with the drum performances.

[@vicdillon6278]

He sounds like an alien.

[@NastyNate18B]

Every single drummer says "ouu that snare" lol

[@SteveOGRock]

Haha yeaaah buddy

[@MadailinBurnhope]

nothing he said about his influences and preferred styles surprised me, it's all over his playing

[@MadailinBurnhope]

Burial being played before Wembley shows he respected UK Garage too, cool

[@j6936-d6v]

Him name dropping Derek Roddie was kind of surprising.

[@snapbacktravi8263]

You missed a section where he takes about being influenced by deftones. It comes after the conversation about Joey and Matt

[@SteveOGRock]

Thanks! Yeah I definitely need to watch the whole thing at some stage

[@sandcake]

PS: You missed some interview parts that were cut in some of the songs.

[@SteveOGRock]

Thanks! Will be going to back and watching the whole thing at some stage.

[@jennafishy97]

Would love to see your reaction to Vore!

[@SteveOGRock]

Duly noted, thank you!

[@pietandersen6120]

I highly disagree that there is more space now than there used to be. The early sleep token stuff, like One, Two and Sundowning, are especially spacious, with (and I mean this in the absolute best way) very little going on rythmically for much of most songs, and I personally enjoy them (especially Two) much more for that. To allow us, as listeners, to sit in these open spaces for longer, even when the metal bits come in, like the breakdown on Nazareth, is so perfect in building the atmosphere on these songs. It allows for the singular hit to destroy us much more. Don’t get me wrong, the guitar and bass take this role of “true momentum” on the following albums, but those first three releases are so special to me specifically because the drums are as much an atmosphere specific element in the songs as every other instrument is, rather than serving the emulated genre.

[@SteveOGRock]

Interesting take. The early records certainly have tons of space in the songs where the drums are playing at all. I'm speaking more about the drum parts themselves. His newer parts seem largely reduced in complexity more often for effect whereas in the earlier records it felt incredibly complex a lot of the time. Might just be my interpretation though.

[@AirwavesEnglish]

Were you not recording this while watching on the 75% speed-setting; that's why he seemed to be talking so slowly? I watched THIS video at 1,25 speed and he sounds normal in your video.😎

[@SteveOGRock]

😂

[@kilinahepelletier4634]

I think him and Vessel write most if not all the music. Their real names are credited

[@SteveOGRock]

Yes indeed. Thought will be interesting to see if that changes over time. The other members are being allowed more individual expression with their looks now, I wonder if musical influence will follow...

[@kilinahepelletier4634]

@@SteveOGRock I hope so

[@DeadZone318]

Isn't this the same guy who reveals how magic tricks are done? I was unaware that he also played drums......

[@SteveOGRock]

😂

[@B-rad37]

Will note you missed some things that aren’t listed as talking points between songs and during songs where there are breaks.

[@timhutchinson8485]

I am American, so I'm not super familiar with various UK accents, but maybe someone from the UK can chime in. Is that a Northern accent?

[@_moore]

No, it’s quite posh. I reckon he grew up around Surrey, which isn’t too far from London

[@SteveOGRock]

☝🏻

[@Mike-lj4ue]

is it adam pedder?

[@DegraTrip]

Why do people ask dumb questions they googled and already knew the answer to?

[@Mike-lj4ue]

I don't see what the big deal is we all know bruce wayne is the batman. he's one of the best drummers ever regardless if he calls himself vessel or wears a mask. i'd of like to seen him interviewed and play without all the stage production. i mean seriously a fogger ?

[@SteveOGRock]

Artists can express themselves however they choose. They want to be outwardly anonymous to put more focus on the music itself? Fair play. Let them. Doesn't diminish anything for me.

[@nmunich8694]

Was very interesting and great but I wonder why they changed his voice so hard and talking so slowly 😅

[@SteveOGRock]

An attempt to retain some form of anonymity through speaking, I expect.

[@STIXAHOY]

Why did he sound like Darth Vader

[@SteveOGRock]

Would you prefer they altered his voice higher instead to sound like Alvin and The Chipmunks? 😄

[@beebala3]

British Darth Vader

[@SteveOGRock]

Fun fact: Darth Vader WAS a British person. Only the voice was done by American James Earl Jones. The actual man in the suit in the films was from England.

[@ChadTheGirlDad]

Does he sound like he’s an Aussie?

[@SteveOGRock]

He's definitely British, southern England I reckon

[@krusher74]

have you really leached of drumeos content within a couple of hours of it being online!

[@hugostiglitz5798]

Who cares. Plenty of other better drummers.

[@OccupationalNOlifes]

So go watch those drummers?

[@perverkari3792]

Clearly u do care since u watched the whole video there from beginning till end and now commenting on a reaction to it as well, hell u even researched his name and kept spamming it, but hey that's how internet is, everyone looking for attention so hope that u r happy that u got it now ❤

[@hugostiglitz5798]

@@perverkari3792 checked in for a few to see all the fanboys. Wasn't disappointed. Can't wait for their tour with Taylor Swift.

[@OccupationalNOlifes]

@@hugostiglitz5798 I bet you were the “cool kid” in school weren’t you 😎👍🏻

[@hugostiglitz5798]

@@OccupationalNOlifes I bet you can say a random sentence that has nothing to do with anything. 🤡

[@Gforce-Gooner]

I was like an over excited giggling kid watching this on my commute home! Stunning work and insight into II’s art. ❤🫶👏 Great marketing again - the timing of this release shortly after Wembley 👌