Sicksense stakes their claim as leaders of nü-metal’s evolution with Cross Me Twice, a boundary-smashing debut that fuses relentless grooves, soaring melodies, and raw emotion.
Anticipation has been brewing, and Sicksense has delivered. With the release of their debut album Cross Me Twice, the metal collective builds on the buzz ignited by their earlier EPs Kings Today and Fools Tomorrow. The band’s devoted following of “Deli-boos” and nods from heavy hitters like TankTheTech mark them as leaders in the next wave of metal innovation.
Fusing nü-metal foundations with a fearless blend of metalcore, progressive, and power metal, Cross Me Twice offers a modern take on a genre eager for reinvention. Rather than merely dipping into familiar territory the album transforms it, conjuring a sound both visceral and vividly atmospheric. From glacial melodies to gut-punching grooves, this release marks a bold leap forward not just the band, but for the genre at large.
“We made this album heavier yet somehow catchier than our prior material,” says frontman Rob The Ripper (Robby J. Fonts). “This is us finding our sound — a complete sonic landscape we’ll continue to push even further.”
The creation of Cross Me Twice reflects Sicksense’s journey through major transitions, including relocating from Montreal’s bitter winters to Phoenix’s sweltering heat. Their self-built home studio became a creative sanctuary, allowing frontwoman and keyboardist Killer V (Vicky Psarakis) to take on a larger role in production alongside Joey Doherty (Falling In Reverse, I Prevail).
Thematically, the album explores emotional manipulation, betrayal, and resilience, delivering raw catharsis through its lyrical depth. The visceral imagery of its cover — a blood-streaked bat shattering a vase of flowers — symbolizes the destructive nature of ego and fractured relationships. “It’s about egos tearing apart beauty instead of people coming together to heal,” Fonts explains.
The band’s evolution includes fresh faces like guitarist Agent Phil (Phillip Lykostratis) and bassist The Gothfather (Richard Regier), joining percussive powerhouse Smokin’ J (Joseph Polizzi). Despite lineup changes, the core dynamic between Fonts and Psarakis — fueled by their personal and professional partnership — remains the band’s emotional backbone. Their chemistry is evident in the album's dual vocal approach, blending rap, soaring harmonies, and primal screams into an unrelenting force.
At the end of the day, Cross Me Twice is a defiant proclamation of identity, transformation, and the future of nü-metal. Sicksense has arrived, and they’re ready to lead the charge.