ICE NINE KILLS – A Work of Art (feat. Shavo of System of a Down) (Single Review)

The terrifying titans of horror metal up the ante with a killer new single in collaboration with Terrifier 3; drawing thrills and chills from the band’s diverse audience.

First announced at the band’s very own ‘Silver Scream Con’ in September 2024, the project between Ice Nine Kills, a metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts formed in 2000, and director Damien Leone’s new addition to the extreme horror franchise Terrifier left fans waiting on the edge of their seats for another legendary collaboration that would go down in modern horror/music history.

Known for their obsessive dedication to incorporating horror into high-octane metal music, clever lyrical references and their theatrical live shows and music videos, whenever Ice Nine Kills announces new music, it’s a big deal. With the debut of the boundary-pushing Terrifier 3 in cinemas featuring ‘A Work of Art’ as a staple of its soundtrack, all eyes are now on the band, and according to expectation, the song is visceral, exhilarating and crammed full of references to the movie.

The song is introduced through the ear-worm melody of the chorus sung hauntingly by vocalist Spencer Charnas, who is renowned for his impressive vocal range and seamless ability to switch between strangled screams and lullaby-like melodies. The lyrics are immediately gripping in their playful references to Terrifier villain Art the Clown (“The art of dying brings me to life, death by design, tongue tied and you’re terrified”), as well as his mission to inflict pain and suffering on those around him. The following breakdown featuring a brutal clash of stuttering guitars and manic drums, feels so right to characterise a film that sends audiences into overdrive with its gory premise.

The punchy, staccato first verse perfectly highlights Charnas’ gravelly tone, which is complemented by the instrumental’s chaotically hyper-charged tempo. The lyrics continue to resurrect blood-dripped images from earlier films in the franchise such as the villain’s apparent demise (“Don’t you dare say Art is dead”), which audiences will no doubt appreciate. The pre-chorus serves as another tonal shift to a much more melodic refrain with Charnas thrillingly showcasing his vocal duality.

The chorus, now boosted by a powerfully bouncing riff and a striking drum beat, proudly displays the band’s talent at writing hard-hitting, instantly iconic choruses, which is only bolstered by the song’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The most memorable hook comes towards the end of the chorus, with Charnas spitting “T-t-t-t-t tongue tied and you’re terrified” which surely fans of the movies and band alike will be chanting throughout the coming weeks.

The track’s constant switch between hardcore and humorous is only exacerbated within the second verse, where Charnas impressively turns vicious deathcore growls into light-hearted “na na na na” vocalisations. This plays upon the character of Art the Clown, who both horrifies and entertains audiences through the jarring contrast between his comedic body language and his pursuit of torture and violence. It is musical details such as this that really help to amplify the creativity of the band and their obvious passion and enjoyment of horror movies.

There is a brief spoken interlude, phrased like a news report that seeks to further entangle the world of the movie with the band’s sound, which warns audiences of the terror awaiting them at the hands of the movie’s antagonist. A truly unforgettable bridge then commences with guest vocalist Leah Voysey, whose sweetly youthful voice intensifies the menace of her cleverly written verse (“Beauty’s in the eye of the beheader for tonight”).

Audiences are therefore again given whiplash in the ensuing breakdown, which sounds like a devilish wall of sound smashing into unsuspecting listeners. The song fully takes advantage of guest guitarist Shavo Odadjian from the legendary metal band System of a Down, who helps the track reach its fever pitch with his technically manic playing. There is still a tie-back to the movie in all the madness though, with the comical inclusions of horns, which Art the Clown is seen to carry.

Charnas’ commanding vocals emerge from the chaos, with his choked screams transitioning smoothly into the addictive chorus refrain. The final chorus seems as imposing as ever, shifting to a higher key and the return of the song’s harmonious yet still fierce main riff. Charnas makes full use of the track’s new energy; belting out some striking adlibs that allow the song’s crescendo to be both thrilling and satisfying.

Score/Excellent: As the band’s first major collaboration and the first single off the band’s upcoming album ‘The Silver Scream 3’, ‘A Work of Art’ is a song that flawlessly illustrates why Ice Nine Kills are currently one of the most exciting bands in the industry. If you’re a fan of horror, metal or both, look no further than this band.

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