Country and hard rock musician Hardy has slammed the hate directed at Sleep Token, likening it to the backlash once faced by Nickelback and Creed.
Musician Hardy has made it known he’s not here for the hate Sleep Token have been receiving lately.
In a recent interview with snsmix.com, the multi-platinum artist – known for blending country and hard rock – praised the British alt-metal outfit and voiced frustration at the wave of backlash surrounding them. He likened the criticism aimed at Sleep Token to the kind of flack once directed at Nickelback and Creed during their commercial peak.
“This is funny that you talked about Creed and Nickelback and people hating, because I’m already starting to see this with this band—and it pisses me off because I just think they’re so different and cool,” he said.
“I’m the biggest Sleep Token fan in the world. I think they are so sick. I think it’s the freshest shit I’ve ever heard. So they’re number one on my list right now.”
Sleep Token’s ascent has been sharp. Their most recent album Even In Arcadia has made serious chart moves globally, and they’re regularly selling out tours within minutes. But with success has come scrutiny, both from fans annoyed at the band’s secrecy and others who simply don’t vibe with the hype.
When asked more broadly about the public backlash toward popular bands like Creed and Nickelback, both of whom Hardy collaborated with in 2024, he didn’t hesitate.
“Because they wrote hits. I really think that’s what it boils down to,” he said. “Anybody’s easy to make fun of when everybody else likes them. That’s when the hate starts – when the masses start liking something. It becomes this weird hipster jealousy. ‘I discovered them first, so I’m not going to like them anymore.’ That’s just how people are.”
While some listeners continue to criticise Sleep Token for their genre fluidity and mystique, Hardy’s take is clear. He’s all in, and unapologetically so.
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