Sleep
Volume One (CD) 1991 Tupelo/Very Small
Sleep existed as a four-piece when this album was released in 1991. Rarely, if at all are the signature stoned-daze vocals used, unlike in some of the most memorable songs on 'Holy Mountain'. The vocals, combined with more noticeable vigor on the drums and a second guitarist (Justin Marler) provide for a seriously jammable record. A song that sticks out for me is 'Catatonic'; it has such a raw feel, yet such a groove. Mode is the word I'm looking for. Sleep is one of few bands that manages to perfectly transmute the pissed stoner's emotions into music. This album was released in between two different sounds: the avant-crust of Asbestos Death, and the stoned groove of 'Holy Mountain'-era Sleep. That leaves you with a slightly faster album that spares no heaviness or grooviness. Let's just say this record 'maintains the doom.' In me, this album puts a want of pizza and lots of greens, reminds me of what it would sound like if DRI crashed head-on with Black Sabbath. When listening to this jam, one would expect that there would be at least a few "misses," but the songs play through, and it becomes hard to find one that doesn't meet the mark of satisfaction. Let us not forget the heaviness of this band. This album was, in my opinion, heavier than 'Holy Mountain'. Not just the tuning, but every element of the music is crushing. The harsh vocals, the roar of the green amps, the pound of the drums; all were about as heavy as it gets. This makes it a little more surprising to hear that Justin Marler went on to become a monk after this album (seriously). Maybe I am being too easy on Sleep, but then again, maybe I am being too harsh.	1. Stillborn 2. The Suffering 3. Numb 4. Anguish 5. Catatonic 6. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream 7. The Wall of Yawn 8. Prey 9. Scourge Approx. 46 minutes
Guest review by: Cody
Sleep's Holy Mountain (CD) 1992 Earache
This album by this Californian band, is now considered a classic in the stoner/doom genre. On this album they are a three piece (on 'Volume One' they had a second guitarist), and show more influences from early Black Sabbath. Lyrically, they are inspired by ancient eastern civilizations and the bong culture (and what a weird combination that is). Being weed maniacs, these guys are in some way responsible for the term 'stoner rock'. The album is crushingly heavy (they tune to C), although the production could have been better (as later on 'Jerusalem'). So the album sounds very raw, especially the guitar which makes them one of the pioneers of 'sludge metal'. The vocals are usually low and slightly muted, they come from bassist Al Cisneros, whose bass lines are very up front and play a major role in Sleep's music, especially in the slower songs. The songs are very varied. They are usually slow, but there are some uptempo, faster parts reminiscent of Eyehategod. And the solo's are great, very bluesy and aggressive. My favorite song is the opener 'Dragonaut', of which the riff reminds a lot of 'Lord Of This World'. There is also a nice acoustic bluesy passage that gives you a brief rest between all the heavieness. The album closes with slooow instrumental 'Rain's Baptism', reminding me a lot of the mighty Winter. Unfortunately, Sleep is no more, but there is guitarist Matt Pike's band High On Fire for all those who miss them, although they are not so doomy as Sleep. Sleep was very influential on today's bands: Acid King, Electric Wizard, Sloth and Warhorse to name a few.	1. Dragonaut 2. The Druid 3. Evil Gypsy / Solomon's Theme 4. Some Grass 5. Aquarian 6. Holy Mountain 7. Inside The Sun 8. From Beyond 9. Rain's Baptism Approx. 52 minutes
Guest review by: baron-sam
Jerusalem (CD) 1998 Rise Above
How do you get closer to God? By smoking weed. According to Sleep that is. They made a song about this subject and they called it 'Jerusalem'. One song, slower than slow, and heavy like shit. Some people call this stoner, I call this DOOM. This is one of the slowest cd's ever recorded. Friends of mine hate me when I play this, which amuses me a lot. There's very little variation in this song and it goes on and on and on. And I love it. Too bad the band split up after the recordings, because I would love to hear this song live.	1. Jerusalem Approx. 52 minutes
Reviewed by: Jacob Remery