While she Sleeps - Mud, Fire and Metalcore

***1/2

What does the North stand for now?

While she Sleeps ***1/2 are a band I first listened to on their third EP 'The North stands for Nothing', which was an eight-track Metalcore EP. That every song was great and was the sound of the times. But sadly I have to say their new material 'Self Hell' and 'Sleeps Society', are not for me. I think this is because they have gone too far away from their original sound, and they are now trying to be someone else. They are not trying to be themselves, they are trying to be more like Bring me the Horizon, Architects and Eskimo Callboy.

For me, if they had maybe changed their name, then it would work more for me. But it is too much of a distance from their earlier work. But saying this, it is not bad music. If you like the commercial sound of Emo mixed with Alternative Rock and Metalcore, then While you Sleeps new material for you. They have a good well put together live show with explosions, and a lot of fire. And all members know how to move around the stage nicely, using all places to their advantage. 

You can see that singer Lawrence 'Lox' Taylor has learned a lot over the years, and his stage presence is very different. From when I first saw them, in a sweaty hot venue in Oxford or London. He is also more designer now, you can see his clothes have been specially made for him, to come across well onstage. Their set consists of songs from the last two albums, so if you wanted to hear older material then you are sh*t out of luck. They are not playing it, so older fans sorry nothing for you here. 

I have to say I like a set that includes songs from all the albums, so everyone gets what they want. Well enough about the sound and direction change, and onto what they played. The highlight of the which is 'Self Hell', with it's catchy chorus' and infections Alternative Rock riffs. And the heavy breaks of 'Anti-Social', which has already got almost seven million views of YouTube. So they must be doing something right, and people seem to like them.

So I think they really appeal to the Download Festival audience, who like a more commercial Metal / Rock sound. I like the connection they have with the audience, because when Lawrence goes into the crowd, you can feel that the majority of people are having a really good time. So as they end with 'Systematic' you realise they are a new band, but there is a place for them. I will miss the old sound, but they are just moving with the times. I wouldn't go out of my way to see them again, but if they are playing I would quite enjoy seeing their set and will always give them a listen.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour

While she Sleeps - Setlist
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Rainbows
Sleeps Society 
Anti-Social
You are all you Need
Self Hell 
Four Walls
To the Flowers
Silence Speaks
Systematic

Check Out! the Video for 'Sleeps Society' Below...