One of the scene’s biggest name in metal has announced they are taking along the silliest name in rock for their Europe and UK tour. Sleep Token has picked up Bilmuri for the next leg of their Teeth of God tour this November and December, ostensibly meaning that the best of Ohio will be playing some of the biggest shows in Sleep Token’s headlining history. Needless to say, the memes from X and Instagram have poured in. The best of which were posted by Bilmuri himself. 

Bilmuri, better known as Johnny Franck, first came up in the scene as the clean vocalist and rhythm guitarist in Attack Attack! From 2005 - 2010. Following that Franck was a founding member of The March Ahead from 2011-2020, and in 2016 he began creating music under his solo project Bilmuri. Bilmuri has been featured on many artists albums, including Dance Gavin Dance’s Afterburner, and has produced music for Dave Days and Jarrod Alonge. 

With his metalcore background, ethereal sound, and goofy demeanor on stage, Bilmuri is not only the most unlikely inclusion to the Sleep Token tour, but perhaps the perfect compliment. His most recent single, “EMPTYHANDED” includes a sample of Kevin James’ famous Nascar announcement in 2007. Bilmuri remains the most aware of his deep rooted patriotism and meme aficionado status while producing top notch post-hardcore and rock music. Those who have been attending live shows long enough know that touring companions can be some of the most unexpected. Taking a look back at 2015, Fall Out Boy had Wiz Khalifa on tour with them for Boyz of Zummer and in 2019 Blink-182 brought Lil Wayne along. For myself personally, both of those tours were incredibly memorable and a big part of that is owed to the unexpected combinations across genres. Hopefully these dates will expand more fans to new music and breed crossovers in the fandoms. 

Bilmuri heads out with Sleep Token starting November 9, 2024.