The last time we got a proper full length (or sorts) from Sleep was 2003 with the iconic Dopesmoker. If you want to get extra particular, you could say the last time Sleep truly put out an album of 100% previously unheard material was 1998's Jerusalem, since Dopesmoker was just a variation of that. So isn't is absolutely bonkers that we'll finally be getting a brand new Sleep album in 2017?
Frontman Matt Pike tells CBS San Francisco that he plans on putting out Sleep's new record next year, as well as High On Fire's new record!
“We need to have a few more boot camps in between now and when we’re going to try to record in March. We don’t even know who we’re putting it out with or how we’re going to fund that or whatever. But I do know once we have a finished product, a lot of people are going to buy that up. It’s just a matter of working it out. We have a lot of really, really good tunes. We’re just trying to get to the point where we’re comfortable recording that.
So we have that deadline. And I don’t want Sleep and High On Fire to both have albums coming out at the same time, so I’m going to be recording with High On Fire right after that. We’ll get the Sleep album out and do a little tour with Sleep when that pops up, and then get the High On Fire record out and do extensive touring with High On Fire.
It’s hard to schedule all that shit because you inevitably run into some red tape or some bullshit that slows things down a bit. I’m trying to do a lot and I think I’m doing a good job of making all that happen and the guys I’m playing with are doing a good job of making it happen. There just has to be an open line of communication when it comes to scheduling.
I want to finish the Sleep one in March and then finish the High On Fire one in June. That way they can be staggered as far as when they come out. We’ve got bills to pay on both sides and families to feed on both sides, so I’ve got to make sure everybody is operable and working. It’s kind of a difficult thing, but whatever. It’s kind of how my life is anyway.”
Wow… so 2017 stands to be one hell of a year. If Sleep's next album is on par with "The Clarity," then it'll be an instant classic for sure.
