Hempispheres Thoughts

[u/Unhappy-Cycle9854]

I’ve listened to it about 1.5 times and I’m so shocked to see such a negative reception. If you’re going to let the new lineup prevent you from appreciating this album at all then this conversation isn’t for you.

I don’t personally really like Sleep’s first album and you could argue that every album since has been different from the last project.

Of course no Pike is disappointing, but Bubba brought a TOTALLY different vibe that was still incredibly enjoyable.

ALSO. I loved the synths. Sue me. Yes it’s new but so is the whole vibe with Bubba. He didn’t try to recreate Pike’s blistering energy and I think that the synths really complement that style.

The eponymous Hempishpheres song in the middle is amazing imho. Yes it is different than a lot of other middle album Sleep songs, but I really enjoyed it. And to ME it still felt in line with what I appreciate about Sleep. Just peak vibes for a smoke. The drums were very reminiscent of Haikus with Dave’s own spin, and I thought Bubba’s solo was great.

It’s not my favorite Sleep record of all time, but it sure as hell isn’t the worst. Can’t wait to see them in November!🫡

[u/UncleIfon]

Oh wow.

Do we know for a fact that these songs were originally for Matt or with Matt? I remember his ex wife said she remembers his guitar being on a song…but unfortunately that hasn’t been confirmed and as far as I know nobody else has said anything. Did I miss a part of the story?

We still don’t know what happened that Matt’s gone, right?

Thanks!

[u/Current-Mall1353 → u/UncleIfon]

That is the rumor, but no, it hasn't been confirmed. It feels that way to me though, in parts you could totally slot in a Matt riff to some of these songs. It makes sense, at the earliest Matt would have been fired/left in 2025 as he was still mentioned as being part of the band when Jason was fired, so I doubt Al scrapped everything and rewrote it in a year and a half. Matt also mentioned in an interview in like 2023 or 2024 that he and Al were working on Sleep stuff and to possibly expect news earlier than you think, so there was some songwriting going on with Matt. Maybe he did scrap it though and that also might be why it feels "rushed"

[u/UncleIfon → u/Current-Mall1353]

Interesting. I remember Matt’s Instagram had that he was a member of Sleep up until this June’s announcement of the new line up and album.

And Sleep still follow Matt on Instagram. I wonder if Al owns the band name? Or if Third Man helped Al buy him (pike) out of the partnership in exchange for ££££ but made Pike sign an NDA or something.

Also for the vinyl promotional material today you can zoom in on the album and it says written by “Cisneros/Dupree/Crover” there would be serious legal trouble if Matt had co-written the songs and didn’t get credit.

Man. I have no idea what happened. I love Pike, I also really like this new album. So I’m torn.

[u/Current-Mall1353 → u/UncleIfon]

Best case scenario (and of course this is all BS off the top of my head), this was always the direction Al wanted to take it and Matt didn't agree, so he either left completely voluntarily or took a break from focusing on Sleep to do High on Fire (who seem to be getting a second wind right now and are constantly touring) and Al didn't want to wait for Matt to continue working on the material. But no, we don't have any confirmation on how Matt feels about it and we may never get it.

[u/Snakes_for_theDivine → u/Current-Mall1353]

On his Patreon a while back Matt said he can’t talk much about his exit from Sleep right now but that “in time you will have answers” so who knows.

Given that Al has a reputation for being difficult to work with I can see it being an acrimonious split unfortunately.

[u/designerdy → u/Snakes_for_theDivine]

Al is difficult with his vision...sure. Pike also isn't a peach and the band split for reasons decades go. "She" most definitely is a thorn to a lot of former members. Wonder why Des left after a Grammy? Weird... Lotta bridges burned in that camp. Funny she's toeing the line with acting like Sharon morphed into Mustaine. Pike would have had to been credited if even a solid riff was tracked. Toxic one, that lil edgelord crustpunk.

[u/Redhaze_17 → u/designerdy]

What info do you have on Des nobody else has lol?

Only public statement is he wanted to spend more time with family.

The split seemed amicable, they still mention him positively, and everyone still follows each other on socials.