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You would find it really difficult to get a band that has perfected the art of modern metal aggression with a theatrical flair that is inspired by modern horror metal horror films. Although they are not as famous as some of the other metalcore bands such as Metallica, Ice Nine Kills have released some of the most exhilarating, mind-boggling and beautiful heavy metal music ever. Their videos are also brilliant and incredibly scary. The amount of energy and aggression poured into their music have been significant in pushing the band to their breakthrough via the release of their first LP Every Trick in the Book.
The band got its name from a fictional substance in the classic novel by Kurt Vonnegut, “Cat’s Cradle.” The band was formed in the year 2000 and featured high school buddies Spencer Charnas and Jeremy Schwartz. In the early days after the band’s formation, the band experimented on different musical styles most notably a dabbling ska-punk and had a high turnaround of band members. Jeremy Schwartz left the band in 2009 leaving Spencer Charnas as the only original band member.
A lot of guitarists and drummers would later pass through the band over the next decade as the band looked to settle on a unique style of music. As a result, the band shifted from ska-punk to a heavy metal style which was evident in their 2010 album, Safe Is Just a Shadow. The album received critical acclaim for how it combined dark lyrics with great vocals that feature intense screaming and heavy guitar riffs. Safe Is Just a Shadow gave the band a new identity and solidified the band’s following which was small but very loyal.
In 2014, the band released an EP dubbed, The Predator, out of which several songs were added into their next album, The Predator Becomes the Prey. Although this album featured a lot of screaming, it still had a similar musical style and lyrical influence that the previous album had. The album was a commercial and critical success topping most rock music charts including debuting at position 3 on the Top Heatseekers Chart. In September 2015, the band released their fourth studio album, Every Trick in the Book which is arguably their best album to date.
The album featured literature, based on horror genres which were being shunned by most metal purists for being “repetitive and dull” as well as deviating from classic metal. However, Ice Nine Kills had a fresh approach with music videos that emphasised the narrative. The band is scheduled to release its sixth studio album dubbed, The Silver Scream Part 2: Welcome to Horrorwood on 15th October 2021. We have come up with a list of the best Ice Nine Kills songs. Here are the top ten Ice Nine Kills Songs.
# 10 – The Nature of the Beast
The number ten track in our list of the best Ice Nine Kills songs is in my opinion the standout track from the band’s 2015 album, Every Trick in the Book. The track is inspired by a 1945 novel written by George Orwell about animals that take control of a farm and oust the farm owners. The song is quite heavy and super theatrical. Do not miss this video, or maybe again we should say beware of this video………
# 9 – Someone Like You
Adele is a great singer and her song, “Someone Like You” was very powerful. However, the original song cannot match the overwhelming rage of Spencer along with the rest of the band in how they deliver the cover of her popular song.
# 8 – A Grave Mistake
The song is inspired by the movie, The Crow which is infamous for causing an accident on set that ended Brandon Lee’s life. The song reminds me of the band Halestorm in the songs ultra perfect production and intense chord changes and brilliant vocals.
# 7 – Communion of the Cursed
“Communion of the Cursed” is the second track from the band’s 2015 album, Every Trick in the Book. The song is based on the 1971 horror movie The Exorcist which tells a horrifying story of a girl who is possessed by the devil. Linda Blair gave the performance of her life in what many feel is the scariest movie ever made. The band pays heavy tribute to the imagery of the move in this very scary video. These guys scare me!
# 6 – The Greatest Story Ever Told
Many people confuse this track to be a romantic song. However, this song is about a guy who killed his girlfriend after they broke up and created an imaginary murder to shift the blame away from himself. The lyrics and the delivery of this song by the band are incredible.
# 5 – Let’s Bury The Hatchet…In Your Head
One of the most amazing things about most Ice Nine Kills songs amazing is Spencer’s amazing vocal range and his high and low pitches. “Let’s Bury The Hatchet…In Your Head” is the second track from the band’s 2104 album, The Predator becomes the Prey and is arguably the best record from the album.
# 4 – Merry Axe-Mas
Merry Axe-Mas contains one of the best music video that the band has ever released. The video of the song was a tribute to the holiday slasher film, “Silent Night, Deadly Night” which features a combination of sleaze, holiday fun to absurdity and bloodshed.
# 3 – Hell in the Hallways
The number three song in our list of the best Ice Nine Kills songs shows how the band loves horror movies and literature. “Hell in the Hallways” is the last track from the album, Every Trick in the Book and is a perfect example of the band’s post-hardcore sound. It’s incredible how the band can put out great storylines in their lyrics and match them up with great videos such as this one. This one pays tribute to the 70s film Carrie.
# 2 – The American Nightmare
“The American Nightmare” is the lead track from the album, The Silver Scream. The song’s lyrics are inspired by the 1884 horror movie, “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” If you are a fan of horror movies and slasher films, you will absolutely enjoy this song. The vocals are amazing and the video of the song gives the band a whole different theatrical aspect.
# 1 – Stabbing in the Dark
It is said that once you get into metal, there isn’t going back, and once you listen to this track you might forget most of the other songs in your playlist. “Stabbing in the Dark” features some brutal breakdowns and their interpretation of classic horror movies is unlike any other band that we have seen.
Top 10 Ice Nine Kills Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
