So, The Sleeping, they were a band, an American post-hardcore band itself formed out of the ashes of Skycamefalling. When Skycamefalling burned up and came crashing down (I resisted saying falling), the remaining members went on seeking a singer, they found one, in the shape of Doug Robinson. This collection of musicians became The Sleeping. The Sleeping have since had some ups and downs and change in sound. They are currently on indefinite hiatus. Backtracking several years, three musicians came together with a shared ambition and idea of the music they wanted to make. Themselves only coming together after several alternative projects didnt work. Though in 2009, when they came together (Nick DePirro guitar, Reilly Herrera bass, Aric Improta drums/sampling), seemed to lock onto what they were looking for. However, what they were still looking for, was a singer. Enter once again Doug Robinson, vocal hero of the singer-less musical phoenix. It stemmed from seeing the trio play in L.A. and though he had to return to New York, they kept in contact. This allowed DePirro, Herrera and Improta to try out numerous singers, but never be satisfied and for Robinson to wrap up touring obligations with The Sleeping. Both parties free, and keen, they finally united. Perhaps with a better timing than simply open calenders, Robinson has had several years finding his voice, honing his chops and working his voice in a touring and recording band, the musical three (as they shall henceforth be known) have spent even longer playing instrumental music, allowing them to truly explore their own musical nuances and really meld instrumentally as a unit. The timing has sort of found them coming together at a collective peak, with the intention of reaching a higher top. Now, as an first and introductory EP goes, these four have pretty much got their sound set and sold. With the years of the musical three honing their craft, they already have their sound formed and know what they want to do with it, so too with Robinson he knows his vocal strengths and weaknesses, but is clearly willing to expand with the band. From The Shadows Where Im Low starts with an immediate curve ball, slow pounding almost industrial electronic builds and beats under, if not over, a faint and filtered guitar line which soon erupts into a rich post-hardcore crash and build. Then everything drops and a scuttling guitar riff and vocal combo bring to mind The Fall of Troy. The band expand on these elements through the song with some technical hooks and a number of rises and falls, clearly brought forward from their instrumental days, big post-hardcore choruses and breakdown that dances between hardcore and A Perfect Circle. Its a good opener as it showcases the four pieces ability for flirting with a number of techniques and styles, enough to keep you on your toes, but not too much you get lost. To The Ends Of The Earth brings the screamo and post-hardcore elements to the fore but keeping that progressive musical element present. It brings to the mind Dance Gavin Dance at their most frenetic and driven. http://youtu.be/EZ8ND47pdYs Be Happy With Yourself, Im Staying Here In Hell is perhaps simultaneously both the most experimental and accessible track. It builds the texture of the track around the band and a number of samples and loops all intertwining, coming and going, though works within a more traditional structure. Robinsons vocal drives the subdued verses forward into the powerhouse riffs of the choruses where he lets his vocals soar and shred his throat at the same time. Closing track Ive Lost My Way Back Down is perhaps the runaway winner of big single potential. The already tight band, seem to be at their tightest here, throwing each instrument around musically but keeping in sync when many would go out of sync. The track too seems to bring together all the elements on show in the previous three tracks; technical melody, big riffs, frenetic drums, rise, fall, genre hopping and the strongest vocal performance of the lot atop a huge chorus. It took long enough in the making, but with results like this it was definitely for the best, and the production work Kris Crummett (Emarosa, Man Overboard, Dead and Divine, Closure in Moscow, Alesana, Fear Before the March of Flames) really helps to polish the sound and bring the talent forward. Though they met him in the trendiest of ways (Robinson commented him on Instagram and it evolved from there) in comparison to their own formation, his is a brilliant contribution. With any luck theyll follow this up with a full length soon. Oh, and this EP is free. http://youtu.be/r-QlHs7hLbc Night Verses FacebookNight Verses Website