at the start of all of this, “show me how to dance forever” sounded so hopeful. because we typically associate dancing with joy. when we’re sad, we don’t want to dance. but when you feel happy and free, you feel like you could dance forever.
after Caramel, though, it breaks my heart. he feels trapped, like maybe he doesn’t WANT to dance forever.
Also the way caramel is sugar when there's heat. Sugar that's melted and molten to this sticky mass. Only edible when it cools down again. And then the breakdown happens and it sounds like the vocals in Vore.
Another thought. Caramel is also in a way making it (or Vessel/Sleep Token/The Music) more digestible. Sugar is sweet but we wouldn't just gobble it down. Caramel tho? Digestible. For the audience who isn't even trying to understand anymore. Just CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME, all the fucking time. Don't even really taste it anymore. Beding and melting to be more digestible by the masses. Cause that's the dream right??! Everyone loves sweet sugary treats like caramel. It's not raw sugar anymore.
The title is a call out too. You weren't satisfied with raw sugar. Now you get caramel. But it's not the same anymore. It's just not. We changed him. We changed the music. And yes, something new and wonderful was created. But careful, too much of the sticky sweetness will make your stomach turn. And too much heat under the sugar and it'll burn to a crisp. It'll burn out. We'll get sick of him. And he'll burn out. The toxic relationship we've always suspected. But now we're forced to recognise that it's us.
I have no words
II is using that kit as anger management for this one huh
II really said "yknow what ? blast beats."
Caramel - Sleep Token
04/04/2025
the unsettling music box melody in the background.. because vessel is captive inside.. dancing forever. the way the song abruptly ends like we’ve snapped it shut.. trapping him there
(Okay, I am scheduling this for when the video is out, so by now everyone should have access to it)
About Caramel:
Every time they try to shout my real name just to get a rise from me Acting like I'm never stressed out by the hearsay I guess that's what I get for trying to hide in the limelight Guess that's what I get for having twenty-twenty hindsight Everybody wants eyes on 'em, I just wanna hear you sing that top line And if you don't think I mean it, then I understand But I'm still glad you came, so let me see those hands
I don't ever want to hear anyone say anything again about how "it's not that serious" everytime someone goes out of their way to invade their privacy and put their whole identity on display in Sleep Token spaces.
About how people who go to the shows and sing and dance and have fun "are ruining it for everyone", because they want to just stand there and listen (why would you go then ????).
I don't care if we're being called over-protective for making sure new fans know not to spread their names and faces. "But he never said it explicitly-" IS THIS CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU?
For everyone who's ever shouted their names on rituals, who brought merch and banners from their side projects, for everyone who thinks they're above "the gimmick", who said their identities are not that big of a deal (especially Vessel). Who insists on bringing up their names on ST exclusive spaces. Who insists on harassing the people around them, who have spread rumours about who or what could the songs be about. Who follow them around in the hopes of being noticed, and make it uncomfortable for everyone involved.
I hope they sleep with a guilty conscience and take a good look at themselves.
This guy has given so much out of himself to us, and all he asked in return was to respect him as a human being. Genuinely I don't think how much more direct he could get with it. And there's STILL people deliberately missing the point.
I try not to talk about how it's harder now
(...)
The sweetest dreams are bitter, but there's no one left to tell
(...)
Too young to get bitter over it all Too old to retaliate like before Too blessed to be caught ungrateful, I know So I'll keep dancing along to the rhythm This stage is a prison, a beautiful nightmare A war of attrition, I'll take what I'm given The deepest incisions, I thought I got better But maybe I didn't
For someone who has lived and breathed music all his live, who *we know* dreamed of being where he is now, who has gone through so much and still came out the other side - that sure is a fucked up mentality to have. Imagine having your life dream turned over on you in such a cruel way.
And the fact that despite it all, he still chooses to dance along WITH us? For us? To endure all that pressure and stress, the injustice and bitterness so many of us listeners have brought him, for the ones who know better and understand? The fact that he still invites us to stick with hin through it all?? MY GOODNESS.
I'm so sorry this is how he's been feeling about it all, and I'm SO devastated to know a significant chunk of it has been caused by us - the very same people he sings for.
(and of course this is extended to the rest of the band, but this is very much HIM talking to us. Not as Vessel.)
Sometimes we forget that as much as this is music and a hobby and something that is part of our day, this is his job. This is his life.
If this doesn't make some people behave, then I genuinely don't know what will. I'm genuinely scared to see what else is coming. I just hope going forward we can shift this narrative together and do better. Remember,
Nothing lasts forever.
II really said "yknow what ? blast beats."
Sleep Token // Are You Really Okay?
"it's all in your head" correct! unfortunately I am also in there
I wish we had been born into a kinder time.
But we weren't. So we're going to have to build one.
and we will build one
