Sleep Plays Mission Ballroom, Hosts '4/20 'Dopesmoker Special' [Photos]

Sleep played Denver’s Mission Ballroom on Monday, marking the group’s first show since going on hiatus in December 2019. The stoner metal trio is also in the midst of a day-long celebration of April 20th with the 4/20 Dopesmoker Special, in addition to a show at Albuquerque, NM’s El Rey Theater.

Monday’s concert marked the first in a three-night run of shows for the band—comprised of bassist Al Cisneros, guitarist Matt Pike, and drummer Jason Roeder—culminating today, April 20th. These concerts were first announced back in October 2021, nearly two years after the band went on a self-imposed hiatus. Sleep has since tacked on a set at This Ain’t No Picnic, set for August 27th in Los Angeles, CA.

Like many others, Sleep celebrates April 20th as an official holiday, with the Black Sabbath-loving threesome surprising fans every year with special promotions. Last year, the band welcomed the pot-friendly celebration with the 12-inch EP, Iommic Life. Back in 2018, the band celebrated 4/20 with its first new album in over 15 years, The Sciences, issued via Jack White‘s Third Man Records.

This year’s celebration is two-fold, as the online radio service Gimme Metal will stream the newly-remastered edition of the band’s seminal album, Dopesmoker, all day long. The album has wandered aimlessly through the digital age and is not currently available on any streaming platforms.

Additionally, Third Man Records will re-release Dopesmoker for Vault Package #52, featuring remastered audio from the original source tapes on four “green kush” colored LPs that include the album, a custom etching, alternate takes of “Dopesmoker”, an unearthed studio version of the long-lost track “Hot Lava Man”, a 7″ featuring “Dopesmoker” (Radio Edit) and “Proceeds The Weedian” (marking the band’s first 7″ release since 1991), two foldover posters, and a woven patch, all inside a custom LP slipcase. Fans have until April 30th at midnight CT to sign up for Third Man Records’ vault program to be eligible for receipt. The label will also release a standard two-LP version later this summer.

Check out a gallery of images from Sleep at Denver’s Mission Ballroom on Monday courtesy of photographer Jason Myers. The 4/20 Dopesmoker Special is streaming now on the Gimme Metal mobile app.

Setlist: Sleep | Mission Ballroom | Denver, CO | 4/18/22

Set: Holy Mountain, Marijuanaut, Sonic Titan, Leagues Beneath, The Clarity, The Botanist, Dragonaut