It is always an honor and a great privilege, both as a fan and as a music journalist, to see a band grow and find their sound. I have written about quite a number of bands as they solidified their sonic identity into what it is nowadays, and now I yet again witness a band returning with a fresh direction and renewed energy. I am talking about American upstarts SICKSENSE, whose new EP, “Funerals,” will be independently released on September 25th, 2026.
Further developing and reinventing their sound, SICKSENSE now emerges as a force on the modern metal scene, seamlessly blending metalcore aggression and heaviness with the infectious groove of nu metal into something uniquely their own. With a dual vocal attack provided by Vicky Psarakis and Robby J. Fonts, the vocal lines are highly dynamic as Vicky Psarakis easily switches between soaring melodic cleans and deep harsh vocals while Robby J. Fonts completes the soundscape with his own rapped verses or raw-sounding growls. This intense vocal interplay has given them a wide canvas on which to experiment and write songs that don’t stick to a single format or a particular genre. Their debut album, “Cross Me Twice” (2025), was filled to the brim with songs that ranged from heavy, dark, and distorted to theatrical, atmospheric, and emotional, with a lot more in between.
Throughout the four songs presented on this EP, the sound is more cohesive and tight while still leaving plenty of room for creative freedom that leads to experimentation and fusion of styles. Opening track, second single release, and personal favorite, the explosive “Artificial Irrelevance” is a whirlwind of groovy beats, heavy instrumental, frantic rhythms, and distorted vocals. It opens on such a cool and fuzzy bass line that pops up throughout the song while the music ebbs and flows between screamed passages, rapped verses, and a soaring melodic chorus that counterbalance its encroaching dark ambiance. All the while providing “an unapologetic commentary on the virtual world we spend so much time immersed in often to our own detriment, questioning the morals and motives of both its creators and its users” (quote taken from the press release).
Up next is actually the first single the band released, the angsty and energetic anthem “Newsflash,” which offers yet another vicious social commentary about individuals being held to unachievable standards and the pressure some feel about conforming to societal norms. But, as DELAIN have put it, “Normal is not the norm / Is just the uniform.” This empowering message to be yourself no matter what comes on traditional nu metal grooves, rapped verses, and a hard-hitting chorus, all capped off by a nasty breakdown. EP track “Seller’s Remorse” wonderfully balances aggression, heaviness, and yet another melodic chorus as Vicky Psarakis and Robby J. Fonts freely trade harsh vocals, making it feel dynamic, dramatic, and intense. Lyrically, it is about karmic payback, not dissimilar to the ideas behind EPICA’s “Victims of Contingency.”
The surprise of the EP comes with the final track and latest single (at least at the time of writing this), “A Moment of Violence,” which isn’t as violent and brutal as the title suggests, being instead the most emotional gut punch that SICKSENSE could have ever delivered. Starting on a melancholy piano, sorrowful backing strings, and emotive vocals from Vicky Psarakis, it gradually builds in intensity until it finally explodes in a cathartic unleashing of heavier soundscapes and monstrous harsh vocals that bring chills every time. The backing violin is especially haunting as Vicky sings about death and the emotional turmoil of losing a loved one, unapologetically bringing forth a cascade of negative emotions. It closes the EP on such a powerful note that makes you take a moment to be grateful for all the people that are still in your life.
With this EP, SICKSENSE fearlessly prove that defying genres and breaking boundaries can lead to some intense and impressive musical landscapes that aren’t easily achievable when following a certain pattern. From the very beginning, creative freedom and the liberty to pursue their vision of what SICKSENSE can be and achieve was an unbreakable tenet for the band, and with “Funerals” they are one step closer to fully realizing that vision, and in doing so have become one of the most exciting emerging acts. Furthermore, on this EP they have shown both their musical strengths and their emotional vulnerabilities, diving deep into shadowy emotions and ever-changing soundscapes, which is a tremendous accomplishment in and of itself. This, in turn, makes me excited to see what the future has in stock for this confident and adventurous metal band.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Artificial Irrelevance
2. Newsflash
3. Seller’s Remorse
4. A Moment of Violence
Lineup
Vicky Psarakis — vocals, lyrics, keys
Robby J. Fonts — vocals, lyrics
Jackson Snowden — guitars
Richard Regier — bass, violin
Sam Neumann — drums
Label
Independent
