Ice Nine Kills have released the sequel you’ve been dying for, Welcome To Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2. In 2018, the melodic metalcore outfit doubled down on their horror influences, with The Silver Scream. An album dedicated to famous horror movies with focus on iconic villains like Michael Myers, Jason, and Freddy Krueger.
Most successful horror movies get a sequel. But, did INK capture lightning in a bottle twice?
This time around, frontman Spencer Charnas has upped the ante, as movie sequels do. Welcome To Horrorwood boasts a star studded cast of featured singers. That’s not all, it’s more technical, heavier, funnier, and above all spookier.
Following the spoken word Opening Night... which sets the scene, the album kicks off with the title track, and doesn’t slow down until the album concludes. Each song perfectly transitions into the next, which helps create a much more cohesive atmosphere overall. Production has improved across the board, instruments sound much crisper and envelope the listener. Sound bites from the movies are used to great effect. There are even several times where comedy is used such as in the lead single Hip To Be Scared (feat. Jacoby Shaddix) of Papa Roach fame. The project also showcases Spencer’s excellent vocal work, both clean and unclean.
The album meanders in genre throughout, ranging from radio-rock tracks such as Rainy Day, the groovy head-banging Ex-Mortis to borderline deathcore in Take Your Pick. Do yourself a favor, and listen to the latter track blind – you’re in for a treat. One thing is for sure, no one in the metalcore scene can craft a killer chorus like Spencer Charnas.
Welcome To Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2 is a bloody good time. The perfect sequel, it does everything it should. Not only does it surpass its predecessor, it has become an instant cult classic. It is a certified bop, the ultimate album to get you into the Halloween spirit.
Listen to the album on Spotify Here
