Love it or hate it, the fact is that the metal waters, particularly metalcore, have been stirring with changes in the more recent years. We’ve seen bands really lift off by incorporating more non-traditional elements into their music and capturing an audience that blurs the lines between traditional metal and nonmetal categorizations. Sleep Theory is the latest group to enter this fray, taking a metalcore framework and freely tossing in elements of pop, hip hop, R&B, and electronics (even dabbling in some autotone). While its going to send some diehards shouting to the hills, Afterglow is a soaring and adventurous release for those who sit at the cutting edge of this ‘genre blur.’
Having only a 2023 Paper Hearts EP under their belts before this, Afterglow feels like work of a much more veteran act. The way that Sleep Theory weave in external elements to their formula is done in such a way that it feels entirely seamless and genuine. Opener “Static” merely primes the listener for the music to come in terms of it’s changes, but it’s nonetheless a fun opener. Danceable electronics and a great build up in heaviness to a instantly ear-grabbing chorus that melds vocalist Cullen Moore’s soulful singing with some gruff screams from guitarist Daniel Pruitt in a more traditional metalcore sense but it’s executed perfectly. Later track “Stuck in My Head” will literally do just that with it’s merger of chunky yet danceable grooves that lead up to a chorus that lets Moore lean into more of the R&B/pop elements for an utterly addictive chorus.
Turns out that track was just the preview for “Gravity,” which fully dives into the electronic and R&B elements. A playful melodic cut with a big, emotive chorus and full of swinging electronics may surprise some in it’s direction, but it works quite well even with the only real tether to heaviness comes from the riffing below. The follow-up in the title track is the most mellow song in the bunch, seemingly prepped to spend some time in the rock radio charts with it’s ballad-y approach and focus on Moore’s singing above all. It’s a big chorus, and with any justice the band will catch some stray ears if it gets the right attention. But fear not, the band doesn’t ease off on the gas pedal for too long. The second half features some of the strongest cuts on the heavier side. “Numb” starts to escalate the pacing with a notable electronic component leading the driving riffs to a hook-filled chorus. Of these tracks, the stand out is undoubtedly “Just a Mistake,” which seems to personify all of the different elements that Sleep Theory is trying to tackle with aplomb. There’s frantic metalcore riffing and screams, catchy and danceable electronics, and of course, Moore’s smooth yet emotive vocals elevating the urgent tempo. But don’t write off the closing combo of groove-fueled “Paralyzed” and slower yet anthemic “Words are Worthless” to bring things to an epic finale.
Afterglow is a fluid powerhouse of metallic urgency, R&B playfulness, danceable electronics, and modern rock energy. The parts in less capable hands would have likely fallen apart at the seams, but Sleep Theory proves their worth as relative newcomers to the scene with a strong statement like this. This sort of experimentation is ripe for takeoff with fans both in and outside the genre, so expect Sleep Theory to be a part of the growing conversation as they continue to build up their discography.