Ice Nine Kills: The Architects of Horror-Themed Metalcore

Ice Nine Kills is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, renowned for its cinematic and narrative-driven concept albums based on classic horror literature and film. The band's breakthrough came with their 2018 album The Silver Scream, which debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the gold-certified single "A Grave Mistake."

Early career

Formed in 2000 by vocalist Spencer Charnas and former guitarist Jeremy Schwartz, the band initially operated under the name Ice Nine before adopting its full moniker, a reference to the fictional substance in Kurt Vonnegut's novel Cat's Cradle. Their early sound leaned heavily on pop-punk and ska, as heard on their 2006 debut EP Last Chance to Make Amends and the 2007 full-length Safe Is Just a Shadow.

Breakthrough

The band's pivot to a darker, more theatrical metalcore sound culminated in their 2015 album Every Trick in the Book, where each song was inspired by a different work of literature. This concept was perfected and massively amplified with 2018's The Silver Scream on Fearless Records, a record entirely themed around iconic horror movies that became their commercial high point and solidified their unique niche.

Key tracks

American Nightmare — This track from Every Trick in the Book, based on *American Psycho*, marked the band's decisive turn toward aggressive, story-centric metalcore.

A Grave Mistake — The lead single from The Silver Scream (inspired by *The Crow*) achieved RIAA gold certification and remains their most-streamed song.

Hip to Be Scared — Featuring a guest appearance from Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach, this single from 2021's Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2 became a fan-favorite for its clever American Psycho homage and viral music video.

The Shower Scene — A brutal and direct tribute to Alfred Hitchcock's *Psycho*, this track exemplifies the band's ability to translate cinematic terror into musical form.

Funeral Derangements — This song, based on *Pet Sematary*, showcases the band's technical musicianship and Spencer Charnas' dynamic vocal range from melody to guttural screams.

The success of The Silver Scream led to the 2021 sequel, Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2, which debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200 and featured collaborations with artists like Corpsegrinder and Brandon Saller. The band's elaborate, high-concept music videos and immersive live shows, complete with costume changes and props, have cemented their reputation as one of modern metal's most inventive acts.

Fans of Ice Nine Kills' blend of melodic metalcore and theatrical horror often enjoy the work of similar American acts. Motionless In White shares a penchant for dark aesthetics and genre fusion. Falling In Reverse exhibits a similar theatrical flair and willingness to blend disparate musical styles. Famous Last Words also crafts detailed narrative concept albums within the post-hardcore sphere. Black Veil Brides delivers a comparable level of rock spectacle and anthem-driven songwriting.

The music of Ice Nine Kills is a staple on modern rock and metal radio rotations, featured heavily on active rock FM stations, alternative rock radio stations, and dedicated online metal streams. Their signature horror anthems receive regular airplay, keeping their dedicated fanbase, known as the "Psychos," engaged.

You can discover the cinematic terror of Ice Nine Kills by tuning into the rock and metal radio stations featured on our website. Listen to their horror-inspired hits and deep cuts on the variety of independent music radio stations and curated online rock radio streams available on onairium.com.