Hempispheres by Sleep: Album Review
Hempispheres by Sleep: Album Review
Stoner rock vets Sleep dropped their new album, Hempispheres, their first full-length since 2018’s The Sciences, on September 3rd via Third Man Records. The LP, which courts controversy and thwarts expectations, features a new lineup that leaves fans divided. Known for their hypnotic, heavy music combining their love of riffs and cannabis, Sleep has largely remained unchanged since their formation. But with the departure of their founding guitarist Matt Pike, Sleep has a new sonic chemistry that boils with anticipation but garners animosity from much of their devoted fan base. Many longtime listeners aren’t happy with the lineup change and have adopted the motto “No Pike, No Party.” And that wasn’t the only change. The band added Melvins drummer Dale Crover, replacing Jason Roeder who’d been with Sleep since 2009, and guitar whiz Bubba Dupree, formerly of the band Void, who replaced Pike. With this new energy comes a new and powerful chapter in the long and storied history of this band.
Sleep formed in San Jose, California, in 1990 after the dissolution of the seminal sludge band Asbestosdeath. The remaining members, bassist Al Cisneros, guitarist Matt Pike, drummer Chris Hakius, and Justin Marler renamed the band Sleep and homed in on a more polished, rhythmic sound. Justin Marler only stayed with the band for their debut album, Vol. 1, after which he left the music industry to become an Eastern Orthodox monk. Newly minted as a three-piece, Sleep recorded their second album Holy Mountain in 1992, which was released in the US in March 1993 on independent label Earache Records. Despite the unpolished recording quality, Sleep’s Holy Mountain is often considered their seminal album by fans and critics alike.
Fast forward to today, bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros is not only the sole original member left in the band but is left fronting an entirely new lineup—with fans questioning whether the current aggregation should truly be called Sleep. Yet, Cisneros has plunged forward, flanked by two highly capable stalwarts of heavy sound.
Travis Schinn
Hempispheres immediately sets itself apart from the band’s previous releases and breathes new life into a well-loved sound. The first thing you notice is Crover’s unique drum work, adding new dimensions to his signature groove and style. His drums blend beautifully with the guitar and bass, enhancing the band’s overall sound. This alone produces a massive upgrade to the band’s sonic palette, adding layers of complexity and depth. The riffs remain heavy and trance-like while allowing Bubba Dupree to levy his unique style within the traditional Sleep framework. While Sleep is no stranger to the blistering guitar solo, Dupree adds long, wandering, even luscious, solos that seem to weave their way through the songs in a Deadhead-inspired trail of weed smoke. More doom-heavy than ever, the songs act as a portal to an exciting riff-filled dimension. While past albums were fantasy-inspired lyrically, this album blasts off to the stars in a more Sci-Fi fashion. With more complex rhythms and a more balanced sound, Sleep shows they are once again a step ahead of everyone else.
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