Sleep is a revered stoner metal band from San Jose, California consisting of drummer Dale Crover, guitarist Bubba Dupree & their only constant member in co-founding bassist/frontman Al Cisneros. Their 1991 full-length debut Volume 1 was solid, but Holy Mountain along with Jerusalem & Dopesmoker have all become stoner metal landmarks of their own. Returning in 2018 with their highly acclaimed 3rd Man Records debut The Sciences, they’re back again almost a decade later for their 6th studio LP albeit 2nd for Jack White’s indie label.

“Have Spacesuit Will Travel” conceptually inspired by Robert A. Heinlein’s novel of the same name left me torn as both a lead single & and intro because I didn’t feel like it pushed the stoner metal, space rock or stoner rock sounds forward in any way until “The Morrisist” comes through with another take on those styles that I’d consider decent at best except there’s a noticeably heavier Om influence than before & it’s brevity makes a good justification for being the 2nd & final single. However, Dale’s drumming left me equally unimpressed as Bubba’s guitar work.

The messy stoner title track would easily be my lest favorite if I had to pick one largely in part of the guitar tones being ripped out of the Kyuss playbook hence why it makes for my least favorite song here & once the 11-minute jam session “Arrival of the Industry Ships” delivers some of Al’s finest singing performances although his bass is blown out to the point where it can be distracting for some listeners, the closer “Whole Wheat Mountain / Well Baked” finishes Hempispheres oddly saving some of Bubba’s finest shredding for last.

This being Sleep’s being first album without co-founding guitarist Matt Pike was a huge concern of mine going in & although I still hold these guys in high regards, Hempispheres has the most likelihood of becoming the weakest entry in their discography yet unfortunately. I don’t mind Al Cisneros’ subdued vocals or the heavy psych undertones & even Dale Crodder’s drumming as someone who appreciates the Melvins, my issue lies with a great deal of Bubba Dupree’s riffs feeling thin compared to Matt’s & that’s why the stoner metal outfit’s newest incarnation leaves me on the fence. Either Bubba steps his game up or Al & brings Matt back.

Score: 3/5

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