It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie: Sleep Theory have officially released their cover of NSYNC's smash hit "Bye Bye Bye." The 2000 boy band classic has been something of a live staple for the Memphis alt-metal band dating all the way back to the summer of 2023. Now, fans finally have a chance to stream and download the band's soulful, surprisingly faithful rendition. The song is out now via Epitaph Records. An NSYNC song. On Epitaph Records. There really are no rules.
For this cover, the band reteamed with producer/mixer David Cowell, who previously collaborated with the band on their breakout 2025 album Afterglow. It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Sleep Theory that the track is a natural fit for the band's R&B-tinged sound. Still, the track, originally penned by Kristian Lundin, Jake Schulze, and Andreas Carlsson, leaves just enough room for the band to bring some of their own personality to the track. Special shout-out to bassist Paolo Vergara and lead singer Cullen Moore, who handle the bulk of the vocals with ease. The way Moore tackles JC Chasez's part in the final section is a delight.
The *NSYNC original has also seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to its inclusion in 2024's billion-dollar-grossing superhero crossover film Deadpool & Wolverine. This is just the latest in a string of nu metal and alt-metal covers to hit the timeline. Recent months have seen everything from Poppy's take on Alanis Morissette to Electric Callboy reworking The Offspring to Filth's absurd cover of Limp Bizkit's "Rollin."
Sleep Theory will continue to tour in support of Afterglow this summer with several festival appearances, including KATTFEST, Vans Warped Tour, Louder Than Life, and Sick New World. Through the end of July and into August, fans in the Midwest can catch the band with Atlanta nu metal rascals Silly Goose.
Check out all the upcoming dates and the visualizer for "Bye Bye Bye" below.
Afterglow is out now on Epitaph Records.
Summer Dates
06/22 Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz 2
06/26 Münster, DE @ Vainstream Rockfest
06/27 Leipzig, DE @ Impericon Festival
07/18 Mansfield, OH @ INKcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival
07/19 Tinley Park, IL @ Summer of '99 And Beyond Festival
North American Tour with Silly Goose
07/28 Kansas City, MO @ The Truman
07/30 Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center
07/31 Dubuque, IA @ Dubuque County Fair Association
08/01 Omaha, NE @ The Admiral Theater
08/02 Springfield, MO @ The Regency
Vans Warped Tour
08/21 Montréal, QC @ Espace 67 at Parc Jean-Drapeau
09/12 México, MX @ Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
Additional Dates
08/22 El Reno, OK @ Rock 100.5 FM KATTFEST
09/20 Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life
10/04 Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock
10/17 Nashville, TN @ Ceremony Festival
10/24 Fort Worth, TX @ Sick New World Texas
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