If you have watched Sleep Token live, you have probably noticed the guitarist. He stands slightly off to the side, hooded and masked, and plays like his life depends on it. That is IV, and online, fans link him to one name: Rhys Griffiths.
Searches for that name keep growing, and the reason is simple. Sleep Token went from a mystery act with a small following to arena headliners and Grammy nominees. People want to know who is behind each mask.
This guide covers what is known about Rhys Griffiths, what is only rumour, and what the band has never confirmed. You will also find his guitar gear, his earlier bands, and the numbers behind the band’s rise. Where facts are missing, such as his date of birth, height, weight, and net worth, we say so instead of guessing.
One point on trust: Sleep Token has never officially confirmed any member’s real name. Everything about identity here comes from fan reporting and music press. Treat it as widely repeated, not official.
Quick Bio
| Detail | What is known |
|---|---|
| Stage name | IV |
| Reported real name | Rhys Griffiths (not confirmed by the band) |
| Role | Guitarist and backing vocalist |
| Band | Sleep Token, formed in London in 2016 |
| Earlier band | Continents, reportedly 2013 to 2019, guitar and vocals |
| Other reported band | Mourn (low quality sources, unverified) |
| Home region | Reportedly South Wales (unconfirmed) |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Weight | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | No reliable figure exists |
I rechecked these details before publishing. No trustworthy source gives a verified date of birth, height, or weight for Rhys Griffiths. Some sites list an exact net worth for Sleep Token as a whole, usually a few million dollars. None show how they got the number, so I will not repeat it as fact.
This is normal for an anonymous band. The members protect their private lives on purpose. Any page claiming his exact age or weight is guessing.
South Wales to Sold Out Arenas. Not a Straight Line.
Most fans first meet IV as a masked figure. Before that, the name Rhys Griffiths points to a very ordinary start in the heavy music scene.
According to fan profiles, he played guitar and sang in Continents, a UK metalcore band. That kind of band lives on small stages, shared vans, and long drives home. It is a tough school, and it teaches a few things fast:
- How to play tight when the sound in the room is bad
- How to write parts that sit well around vocals
- How to survive a long touring schedule
- How to work with other people when money is thin
Those skills show up in Sleep Token today. IV rarely plays a flashy solo. He plays parts that serve the song, which is a habit you learn in a working band.
The route from a club band to an arena stage was not a straight line. Reports say he moved between roles, from playing in his own band to working behind the scenes, and then to the masked lineup. The band has not confirmed this timeline, so keep that in mind.
Sleep Token itself took a slow path too. It formed in London in 2016 and began playing live in 2017. Its early albums built a quiet cult following long before the mainstream noticed.
The Guitar Tech Thing Is Actually Fascinating
Some profiles say IV started as a guitar tech for Sleep Token before stepping into the live lineup. If true, it is one of the better stories in modern rock.
A guitar tech is the person who tunes, repairs, and prepares every instrument before a show. They know every pedal, every cable, and every weak point in the rig. They also know the songs inside out, because they watch every note from the side of the stage.
That knowledge could explain why IV looks so calm on stage. A player who has spent years fixing a guitar in the dark understands what can go wrong. He can also stay steady when something does.
Here is why that path matters for the bigger picture:
- It shows the band values reliability over fame.
- It suggests a close working bond with the core members.
- It proves that a behind the scenes job can lead to the front of the stage.
A fair warning: the band has never publicly confirmed this story. It comes from fan sites and profile pages. It fits the facts we do have, but you should treat it as a reported detail, not a certified one.
What IV Actually Does On Stage
IV plays guitar and adds backing vocals. Vessel leads the vocals, and fan sources describe IV as the second voice in the live sound.
Songwriting credits are a separate matter. Guitar World notes that only Vessel and II are credited as songwriters across the band’s discography. That means IV’s biggest job is the live show. He turns studio songs into something that can fill an arena.
The Gear He Uses
Guitar World has covered his rig in detail. Here are the main points:
- Eight string Jackson Monarkh: A custom built model and his most striking riff machine.
- Custom baritone guitar: A Jackson custom shop build, fitted with Lundgren M6 pickups.
- Gretsch G5260: A baritone he reportedly used for years before the custom model arrived.
- Heavy strings: Thick sets running from about .084 down to .010, which give a rounded, weighty tone.
- Neural DSP Quad Cortex: The modeler used for much of his live sound, with presets built around the band’s songs.
Effects and Tone
IV does not rely on a huge pile of pedals. Reports mention an envelope effect for a gritty, lo fi feel during one breakdown. The intro to Hypnosis uses a tremolo on his rhythm tone.
Those small touches make the songs feel alive. A baritone guitar tuned low gives weight under the vocals. The eight string adds the crushing parts when the band turns heavy.
How to Get Closer to His Sound
If you play guitar and want that feel, try these steps:
- Use a baritone or tune down to give your guitar more depth.
- Choose heavier strings so low notes stay clear.
- Keep your gain moderate. Too much gain turns heavy parts into mush.
- Add tremolo or an envelope only where the song needs it.
- Play for the song, not for the solo.
The Anonymity Game: Clever, Yes, But Also Leaky
Sleep Token’s masks are part of the story. The band tells fans they serve a deity called Sleep. Each member is a vessel, and their real names are meant to stay hidden.
That idea is clever. It pushes attention toward the music and the live ritual, and away from personal gossip. It also makes every show feel like an event.
It is also leaky. Fan communities have shared names for years, and a leaked photo in 2023 added fuel. The names Leo Faulkner, Adam Pedder, Dave Ball, and Rhys Griffiths are now widely repeated online. Still, the band has not confirmed any of them.
Here is a simple way to separate fact from rumour:
| Type of claim | How to treat it |
|---|---|
| Band confirmed it | Safe to repeat |
| Reported by music press | Likely, but say “reportedly” |
| Fan forum or leak | Unconfirmed, handle with care |
| Content farm page | Often copied and wrong |
During my research I found many pages that copy each other and repeat the same thin facts. Some even mix up basic details. That is a good reason to lean on trusted music outlets and to stay cautious about exact personal numbers.
There is a respect issue too. These are real people with private lives. Enjoying the music does not require digging into family details, addresses, or private accounts. Fans who stick to the music and the stage show keep the community healthier.
Meanwhile, The Numbers Don’t Lie
Whatever you think of the masks, the results are real. Here are the main milestones reported by music press.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Sleep Token forms in London |
| 2019 | Debut album Sundowning arrives |
| 2021 | This Place Will Become Your Tomb is released |
| May 2023 | Take Me Back to Eden reaches number three in the UK and number sixteen in the US |
| December 2023 | Sold out Wembley Arena show, with tickets gone in under ten minutes |
| February 2024 | Signs with RCA Records |
| November 2024 | UK arena run in front of more than 75,000 fans |
| May 2025 | Even In Arcadia debuts at number one in the UK and US |
| 2025 | Headlines Download Festival |
| January 2026 | Even In Arcadia certified gold in the US |
| 2026 | Take Me Back to Eden certified platinum in the US |
A few details stand out.
Take Me Back to Eden passed two billion streams. That helped it become the first platinum album in the history of its original label, Spinefarm Records.
Even In Arcadia stayed on the Billboard 200 for 36 straight weeks. It also earned the band its first Grammy nominations: Best Metal Performance for Emergence, and Best Rock Song for Caramel. Drummer II also picked up a Grammy for a featured performance on a Yungblud track.
What does this mean for IV? Every one of those arena shows needs a guitarist who can deliver night after night. His playing is part of why the live reviews are strong.
The Spitting Glass Moment: When the Mask Slipped
Masks hide faces. They do not hide the fact that these are real people.
In November 2024, during a European date in Zurich, Sleep Token reportedly played without two members. Reports said that IV and III, the bassist, were absent because of illness. The show went on, and it started a lot of talk among fans.
That moment mattered for a simple reason. It showed that the ritual depends on actual human beings, who get sick like everyone else. For a band built on mystery, it was a rare glimpse of the real world behind the costume.
The name Spitting Glass also comes up in this story. Online profiles link that project to Dave Ball, the band’s bassist, not to IV. I could not verify any public appearance by Rhys Griffiths under his own name in connection with it, so I will not claim one.
Here is the safe summary:
- The Zurich absence was reported by fan communities and music coverage.
- The band kept its masks and its mystery.
- No official statement turned the rumours into confirmed facts.
For readers, the lesson is useful. A viral moment can feel like proof, but it rarely is. Wait for the band to speak before treating a rumour as settled.
Why IV Gets Overlooked and Why That’s Actually Fine
Vessel is the face of the band. The vocals, the lyrics, and the stage drama all sit with him. II, the drummer, gets attention for his playing and his songwriting credit.
IV sits in the middle. He is not the lead voice and not a credited songwriter. That is why he is the member people search for after the big names.
It is also fine, for three reasons:
- Great bands need support players. The songs work because every part fits. A guitarist who serves the song is doing his job well.
- Stage presence counts. Fans who see the live show often name IV as a favourite. His movement and his heavy riffs add to the ritual.
- Curiosity is a compliment. People search his name because they want to know more about the person behind that sound.
If you want to appreciate his work, try this. Listen to a song twice. The first time, follow the vocals. The second time, follow only the guitar. You will hear how much space he leaves, and how well he fills it when the song needs weight.
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Final Words
Rhys Griffiths is the name fans most often connect to IV, the masked guitarist of Sleep Token. He reportedly came up through the heavy scene with Continents, and some profiles say he began as a guitar tech. His custom Jackson eight string and baritone guitars shape much of the band’s live tone.
Many details people search for are simply not public. There is no verified date of birth, height, weight, or net worth for him. Sleep Token has also never confirmed his identity, so everything about his name is reported, not official.
What we can say with confidence is how big the band has become. Platinum albums, number one debuts, sold out arenas, and Grammy nominations all show that the live ritual works. IV is a big part of that.
If you enjoy the music, the best move is to keep listening, go to a show if you can, and let the masks do their job.
FAQs
1. Who is Rhys Griffiths?
Rhys Griffiths is the name fans and music press most often link to IV, the guitarist of Sleep Token. The band has never officially confirmed it.
2. What is IV’s role in Sleep Token?
IV plays guitar and adds backing vocals in the live show. He is not one of the credited songwriters on the band’s albums.
3. Has Sleep Token confirmed that IV is Rhys Griffiths?
No. The band keeps all real identities private, so the name remains a widely repeated report.
4. What guitars does IV use?
He is known for a custom Jackson eight string Monarkh and a custom Jackson baritone. He also reportedly used a Gretsch G5260 baritone for years.
5. What bands was Rhys Griffiths in before Sleep Token?
Fan profiles say he played guitar and sang in the metalcore band Continents, reportedly from 2013 to 2019. Some pages also mention a band called Mourn, but that is unverified.
6. Did Rhys Griffiths start as a guitar tech for Sleep Token?
Some profiles say yes, but the band has not confirmed it. Treat it as a reported detail.
7. Has Sleep Token been successful recently?
Yes. Even In Arcadia debuted at number one in the UK and US, and the band earned its first Grammy nominations.
8. When did Rhys Griffiths appear publicly under his own name?
I could not verify any official public appearance by him as IV under his own name. His name appears mainly in fan and press reports.
9. Why does Sleep Token stay anonymous if everyone knows who they are?
The anonymity is part of the band’s art and lore, so they keep it even after names leaked. It keeps focus on the music and the live ritual.
10. What was Continents’ connection to mainstream metal?
Continents was a UK metalcore band that gave Rhys stage and touring experience in the heavy scene. Sources vary on its wider links, so I would not claim more.
11. Is IV the same person who has always played guitar for Sleep Token?
No. Some profiles mention a lead guitarist who played from 2016 to 2020, and IV is described as a later arrival. The band has not published a full lineup history.
12. What makes IV’s guitar playing distinctive for Sleep Token?
He uses low tunings, heavy strings, and baritone and eight string guitars. His parts add weight without crowding the vocals.
13. How old is Rhys Griffiths?
His date of birth is not publicly confirmed, so no reliable age can be given. Be careful with sites that state an exact number.
14. What are Rhys Griffiths’ height and weight?
Neither is publicly confirmed. No trustworthy source lists them.
15. What is Rhys Griffiths’ net worth?
There is no verified figure. Estimates found online for the band are unsourced guesses, so treat them with caution.
16. Who are the other members of Sleep Token?
Vessel is the singer, II is the drummer, and III is the bassist. Fans link these roles to Leo Faulkner, Adam Pedder, and Dave Ball, but the band has not confirmed those names.
17. Does IV sing in Sleep Token?
Yes, he adds backing vocals live. Vessel handles the lead vocals.
18. Is Rhys Griffiths on social media?
No verified personal account is known. The band keeps its members’ private lives off public platforms.
Liam Foster is a passionate celebrity news writer covering the latest buzz, exclusive updates, and behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood to Bollywood. With a keen eye for trending entertainment topics, Roylcrase.com brings readers closer to their favorite stars’ lives, one story at a time.
