Genre: Nu Metal
Label: Earache Records
Date of Release: 28 March
Links: https://sickxsense.bandcamp.com/
Line Up:
Vocals Vicky Psarakis
Vocals Robby J. Fonts
Guitar Phil Lykostratis
Drums Joe Polizzi
Bass Rich Regier
Tracklist:
1. Sellout
2. Wildfires
3. Throwback
4. Fever Dream
5. Invisible
6. On Repeat
7. Masquerade Parade
8. In This Carousel
9. Here Come All The Memories
10. Follow Me
If you were to ask me to design an album and what elements I would want included, I would tell you that the key ingredients would be contrasting male/female vocals, melody intertwined with heavy guttural singing, a sprinkling of hip hop, driving riffs and pitched harmonics. Sicksense has effectively delivered all these elements in their first full studio album since their inception in 2017.
The band has gone through a significant reshuffle since 2023 EP “Fools Tomorrow” with all but the vocalists being replaced. When asked about the line-up changes, Fonts comments: “Each former member gradually did not want to commit to working on and investing in Sicksense full-time, so we parted ways with them. All the right pieces were finally put together with this incarnation of Sicksense and the band is feeling stronger and more motivated as a unit than ever before.” They have been quick to put the new members into action with the production of this high-octane album that is highly anticipated in advance of its release later in March.
The group from Phoenix, Arizona have blended their nu-metal influences with metalcore, progressive and heavy metal styles for an aggressive yet cohesive album that brings an eclectic mix of techniques from the individual members.
When asked about the album the band explain, “We made this album heavier, yet somehow catchier than our prior material. We played it a little safe with our previous sound, keeping it in a comfortable, more traditional sounding nu-metal space with hints of modern metalcore. With ‘Cross Me Twice’, we believe we’ve finally found our sound. It really takes you through a beautiful soundscape journey. We’ll only push ourselves even further from here, too.”
To date the band have released three tracks from the recording as singles: “On Repeat”, “Wildfires” and “Masquerade Parade”. “On Repeat” commences with sinister feeling vocals from ex The Antagonist singer Psarakis before Lykostratis comes in with a heavy riff being joined by the near gutturals from Fonts. There is then a contrast with higher pitched melodic vocals from Psarakis over the rhythm section. As well as the more traditional metal there is an electronic undertone in sections adding interest before it ultimately concludes with a simple lighter guitar part. Despite this extensive technique inclusion and contrast, this track alone does not showcase the full range of the band’s ability.
In juxtaposition to other bands such as Lacuna Coil that employ the guttural male vocals combined with melodic female vocal lines, Sicksense also employ heavier vocals from their female singer which is far less common in a dual vocalist fronted band. This can be seen in tracks such as “In this Carousel”. The other vocal styling used by the band is the hip hop vocals synonymous with the nu-metal genre of the early 2000s.
In songs such as “Masquerade Parade” the group demonstrate their further versatility with an ethereal intro before moving onto heavy gutturals and then rapping.
The variety, not just within the album, but within individual tracks keeps the listener on the edge of their seat in what is a highly interesting release. Many of the songs feel cathartic in nature and will be very popular when it’s released.
For those of you not familiar with Sicksense, I strongly urge you to give the album a listen. If you are a fan of bands such as The Agonist, Evanescence, Within Temptation, Jinjer, Spiritbox, Dying Wish, Otep or Infected Rain, then you will be hooked. This is an excellent inaugural album that will be, I am sure, the first of many.
Written by: Dave Martin
Ratings: 8/10
https://open.spotify.com/album/71TH9rHIPZlBX3NXoDzB7d?si=IcsqKBafRkm59AVAQrnUgA
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