Sleep Announces New Lineup, First Single in Eight Years, and Fall 2026 North American Tour
Sleep, stoner metal pioneers, announced a new lineup and single "Have Spacesuit Will Travel" along with a fall 2026 North American tour. The lineup includes bassist/vocalist Al Cisneros, drummer Dale Crover of the Melvins, and guitarist Bubba Dupree of Void. The single is the band’s first release since 2018 and the first without founding guitarist Matt Pike.
The announcement came via the band’s official channels and Third Man Records. The single is available on streaming services and as a limited edition flexi disc bundled with a comic book written by Cisneros. The release marks a return to the studio after the surprise 2018 album "The Sciences" and a decade of touring.
Sleep’s history: formed in 1991, known for albums "Dopesmoker" (2003) and "The Sciences" (2018). The band has been active sporadically since reformation in 2009. Al Cisneros has been the only constant member. The new lineup replaces Matt Pike, who left in 2022. Dale Crover, known for his work with the Melvins, joined in 2024. Bubba Dupree, guitarist for the hardcore band Void, brings a different stylistic influence.
The fall 2026 tour will begin on September 8 in San Diego and run through September 30 along the West Coast, then resume on November 4 in Minneapolis and finish on November 17 in Washington, DC. The tour includes stops in major U.S. cities and two Canadian venues in Vancouver and Toronto. Tickets go on sale June 23 for presales and June 25 for the general public.
Industry context: The release and tour come at a time when stoner and doom metal bands are returning to touring after pandemic restrictions. Third Man Records continues to support niche metal acts with physical releases. The flexi disc and comic book bundle reflects a trend of combining music with collectible merchandise to drive sales.
Cisneros has described the single’s sound as reminiscent of early Iommi and the blue sunglasses era. The track features Cisneros’s deep bass tone and a heavy, slow riff structure typical of Sleep’s style. The absence of Matt Pike has been noted by fans and critics, but the new lineup has been praised for maintaining the band’s core sound.
The flexi disc release is bundled with a comic book written by Cisneros, a move that reflects Sleep’s tradition of combining visual art with music and offers bundle through Third Man Records.
Sleep’s announcement of a new lineup, a single after an eight‑year gap, and a comprehensive fall tour signals the band’s continued activity in the stoner metal scene. Fans can stream "Have Spacesuit Will Travel" and purchase the limited edition flexi disc and comic book through Third Man Records. Tour dates are set for September and November 2026, with tickets available from late June.
