ICE NINE KILLS, Hip to Be Scared | Track Review

ICE NINE KILLS serves up impressive musicianship and entertaining, tongue-n-cheek, horror-laden moments on “Hip to Be Scared.”  

“You’ll find no escape once you’re captured on tape / I’m aware it’s a bit avant-garde.” Indeed, indeed! With a metal/metalcore band like ICE NINE KILLS, there’s never a dull moment – understatement.  The band’s 2018 album, The Silver Scream, proved to be a creative, ear catching listen that captured their penchant for horror superbly.  Following up a fantastic LP is difficult. That said, single “Hip to Be Scared” continues and builds on the excellence established by INK.  The band enlists Jacoby Shaddix ( Papa Roach) for the assist.  While his role is more of a supporting role, it’s a welcome addition to this standout joint.

“‘Not the fucking face, you piece of bitch trash!’” “Hip To Be Scared” is foreboding, set in a minor key predominantly. This, of course, perfectly suits ICE NINE KILLS. “Hip” begins enigmatically, embracing and maintaining a horror schtick.  As always, front man Spencer Charnas ‘gets it done’ in the vocal department, serving up both a sweet melody and some expressive, shouted vocals that fit the ‘scared’ vibe (and colorful lyrics).  Besides awesome production and top-notch vocals, I like the shifts incorporated throughout this record, keeping things unpredictable and intriguing to the nth degree.  So often, songs can be more monolithic, and INK ensures that is not the case here.  The chorus is one of the biggest selling points:

“So, to hell with good intentions
So, to hell is where I’ll go
But the Devil makes exceptions
For all-American psychos.”

Rock TF on.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Hip to Be Scared” is another winning moment from ICE NINE KILLS.  The band serves up an excellent mix of impressive musicianship and entertaining, tongue-n-cheek, horror-laden moments.  Can’t wait for the new album!

ICE NINE KILLS • “Hip to Be Scared” • Fearless • 7.9.21

[: Brent Faulkner, Fearless, The Musical Hype, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]