When a band boasts an impressive stage show, there is always the question of whether their albums can live up to the spectacle. It’s often asked whether Rammstein would be as successful without their legendary live presence. Conversely, a strong album should entice listeners to experience the band live – and that’s precisely the mission statement behind Italy’s Sick N’ Beautiful and their new record, Horror Vacui. The title, – Latin for “fear of emptiness,” certainly checks a lot of boxes and surpasses its predecessor, 2022’s Starstruck, in both consistency and intent.
Sick N’ Beautiful exude confidence in their ability to craft songs that are both engaging and anthemic—tracks designed to ignite audience participation. Horror Vacui is packed with fist-pumping crowd-pleasers, built on an industrial/goth foundation and laced with lyrics steeped in dystopia, sci-fi, and horror. There’s no overt political edge her – at least not literall – though opener Human Is Overrated could easily be interpreted as a scathing critique from our interplanetary neighbors, its fury channeled through hulking riffs and Herma’s dynamic vocals.
My Wounds stomps like Godzilla, its chant-along chorus and tight rhythm section giving Herma’s vocals real punch. Death Police grinds with industrial menace, ending in a cataclysmic crescendo as Herma growls with primal intensity. While the album isn’t heavy on ballads, Haunted offers a moment of respite – still weighty, but with a softer edge that brings contrast. Hate Manifesto and its “hey hell yeah” refrain is tailor-made for the stage (or a living room stomp-along), while Septem Maleficia delivers electronic-industrial heft, a wild solo, and choppy rhythms.
There’s not a weak track on Horror Vacui. Its 46-minute runtime flies by, brimming with heaviness and variety. The band clearly aims to leave a mark with memorable songwriting. If there’s one quibble, it’s the bass-heavy mix—gritty and dense, which suits the industrial tone, but on Raise The Dragon, the kick drum overwhelms the mix, nearly drowning out an otherwise great track. Ironically, The Rat King earns repeat listens thanks to its infectious drum rhythm.
The band is tight – shoutout to Big Daddy Ray on bass, Evey on drums, and guitarists L0r1 and Nemes. Sick N’ Beautiful is a true ensemble effort, and it shows. Big, bold, and unapologetically fun, Sick N’ Beautiful is pure escapism and in the live environment with the retina-searing lasers, flaming books, angle grinders, and otherworldly costumes a sight to behold. But none of that comes at the expense of the music. Horror Vacui proves this band has substance as well as style. Sick N’ Beautiful is not chasing stardom with gimmicks – they’re putting in the work.
The aliens are coming… or maybe they’re already here.
Horror Vacui is out now via BLKIIBLK
