Sleep returns – Sleep is back after eight years with new music, a fresh North American tour, and the first issue of a new comic book—while a major lineup shift reshapes the band’s future sound.
On September 8, in San Diego, Sleep will step back onto the stage with something they haven’t offered in years: new music. The stoner and doom-metal band’s first release in eight years is “Have Spacesuit Will Travel,” and it arrives through Third Man.
The track doesn’t just exist as a single—it’s being packaged into a bigger return. “Have Spacesuit Will Travel” is also getting the flexi disc treatment as part of a bundle for Sleep Comic Book. which launches with Issue #1. That comic book is the first new venture from Sleep frontman Al Cisneros as a writer. illustrated by Dave Kloc and Arik Roper.
But even with the new song and the comic-world rollout, the most consequential change is happening in the band itself. Cisneros remains in his roles as singer, bassist, and lead songwriter. Their guitarist and co-founder Matt Pike—the wild. often shirtless centerpiece of Sleep’s live look and one of the architects of the group’s sound—is no longer in the lineup. Pike’s final studio contribution with Sleep is the band’s 2018 album, The Sciences.
He’s replaced by Bubba Dupree, best known as the guitarist in Maryland hardcore punk icons Void. On drums, Dale Crover of Melvins is stepping in behind the kit, filling the big shoes of Jason Roeder—who is back in Neurosis after the band’s own unexpected reunion.
Pike wasn’t just another member. His riffs are described in the source as foundational to Sleep’s sound—essential to the stoner metal genre. with “Dopesmoker” referenced as an example. Even without a formal statement from the band that spells out the details of the change. a press release offers a message of forward motion: “The music and art are alive and after the decades of obstacles that Sleep has overcome. it is time to move forward and make songs and albums. Al wishes Matt the best on his earth bound maneuvers.”.
The same press-release language frames the band’s new era not as a rewind. but as a push into what comes next. Sleep Comic Book is set up as that bridge between music and story. The straightforward title—Issue #1—begins the saga of the Marijuanaut. The press release describes the arc as “an adventure which takes the reader to Planet Iommia. encounters with The Weedian. and introduces the traveller to Iommia’s deeper reverential practices. all this and more that resonates within the universe that Cisneros’s lyrics created from the riff-filled lands of Sleep’s discography.”.
Sleep Comic Book is available in two ways: a standard edition, where fans can buy the comic book as is, or a limited-edition bundle. The bundle includes the comic book, a full cover poster, a signed bookplate, designed rolling papers, and the “Have Spacesuit Will Travel” flexi disc.
Then comes the tour—falling right into the same momentum. Sleep kick off their fall run on September 8 in San Diego. then move through most major cities in the United States and Canada. The route ends on November 17 in Washington, D.C., with a stop at Austin music festival Levitation first. The full list of upcoming tour dates sits behind the promise that the new song will be heard live. this time with a rearranged lineup.
For fans already mapping their next listen. “Have Spacesuit Will Travel” lands alongside another thread of recognition: “Marijuanaut’s Theme” is referenced as part of The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s. Now. with Issue #1 beginning the Marijuanaut’s journey. Sleep is trying to pull both worlds—stage and panels—into the same shared universe.
Sleep band Have Spacesuit Will Travel Third Man Sleep Comic Book Al Cisneros Matt Pike Bubba Dupree Dale Crover Jason Roeder Neurosis Levitation San Diego Washington D.C. flexi disc
Eight years?? I thought Sleep broke up forever lol.
Wait so Matt Pike is gone but they still playing “Dopesmoker” like nothing happened? That’s kinda wild. Also the comic book thing feels random, but I guess when you’re Sleep you can do whatever.
I read somewhere that Jason Roeder quit and then immediately joined Neurosis again?? So confusing. If Dale Crover is drumming now I feel like it’ll sound totally different, like not even doom anymore. But maybe I’m mixing up bands, I dunno.
So is “Have Spacesuit Will Travel” just a re-release of old stuff or like… new new? And why do they need a comic book?? Sounds like a cash grab but I’m still probably gonna check it out. If the guitarist that wrote the riffs is gone, doesn’t that mean they’re basically not Sleep anymore? Idk man, I’m confused but excited I guess.