Ice Nine Kills, Twisting The Knife | Bangerz N Bopz

In the 46^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we highlight “Twisting The Knife” performed by Ice Nine Kills featuring Mckenna Grace.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz serves up background info and insights into songs across various styles, especially those that raise eyebrows and/or stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 46^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz (2026), we break down “Twisting The Knife” performed by Ice Nine Kills.

Oh, wow… okay 😳! Boston metal/metalcore band Ice Nine Kills tends to deliver a ‘scary good’ musical listening experience.  Horror is non-negotiable when it comes to lead vocalist Spencer Charnas! The band tapped actress and singer Mckenna Grace for the assist on the intriguing single “Twisting The Knife”.   So, why was Grace a collaborator? She’s an actress in the movie associated with the single Scream 7. “Twisting The Knife” was written by Charnas, Grace, Joe Occhiuti, Steve Sopchak, Drew Fulk, Jeris Johnson, Sueco (William Schultz), John Feldmann, and Francesco Ferrini. Drew Fulk produced it.

“Twisting The Knife” features a lush, warm, and celestial introduction… in a hellish sort of way 😇 😈.  This beautiful yet chilling moment recurs throughout the song, contrasting with the most intense moments. One of my favorite parts of this intro/recurring interlude is Mckenna Grace’s voice, where she sings on “ah(s).” She possesses an angelic instrument.  While it shouldn’t work for an intense heavy metal/metalcore song, her youthful voice manages to cut through the jagged riffs and intense moments. She has great synergy with Spencer Charnas throughout. Naturally, Charnas has the grittier, more seasoned vocal.  They superbly trade lines in the verses.  In the first verse, Charnas begins first (“This devastation / Follows me, follows me, constantly, I can’t escape it…”) In the second, Grace takes the reins initially, with both singing boldly 😉 (“This force of nature /Follows me, follows me, constantly calling me.”) In most iterations of the chorus, the centerpiece, they join forces:

“Can you honestly promise me

I won’t be left here to die?

I’m screaming for my life because

Honestly, I’m not free ‘til it’s me twisting the knife

So, I’m screaming for my life

Barely breathing, violently shaking, and bleeding

I buried the past for a reason

And there’s always more room in the grave, the grave, the grave.”

The chorus is epic, not only vocally, but instrumentally.  Beyond the core metal backdrop, gorgeous symphonic cues, instrumentation, and orchestration up the ante on “Twisting The Knife”. Like many Ice Nine Kills songs, this is a cinematic music experience. Spencer and Mckenna, you did your big one here.

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Ice Nine Kills » “Twisting The Knife” » Fearless Records » 2026

Ice Nine Kills, Twisting The Knife: Bangerz N Bopz No. 46 (2026) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Fearless Records; Art Laurence Luzon, cottonbro studio, Osmar Vasques, Sebastian Ervi, Wallyson Nascimento from Pexels; Gordon Johnson from Pixabay]

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