Ice Nine Kills’ Intense ‘Dead By Daylight’ Collab and the Everlasting Thrill of Horror

Ice Nine Kills dive deep into their ‘Dead By Daylight’ collab, rekindling the magic of horror and rock with an electrifying new anthem.

When horror and rock collide, magic happens — and Ice Nine Kills know this all too well. The Boston-based band’s latest single, “Play Dead,” is a pulse-pounding anthem born from an epic partnership with the survival horror multiplayer sensation Dead By Daylight. From the first note, you can feel the band’s passion pouring through, reconnecting rock music with the chilling world of horror in a way that fans of both scenes will find irresistible.

A Horror Game That Redefined Fear

If you’ve ever dabbled in the world of horror gaming, you’ve likely heard of Dead By Daylight. Celebrated as the most-played horror game in history, this multiplayer game pits four survivors against a single merciless killer, creating nail-biting tension in every match. Over the last decade, the game has crafted a sprawling universe with collaborations featuring some of horror’s most iconic franchises: Stranger Things, Saw, Alien, Resident Evil, and Silent Hill. Not stopping there, it has also partnered with legendary metal bands like Iron Maiden and Slipknot, blending music with gaming culture in ways few others have dared.

The recent release of Ice Nine Kills’ “Play Dead” on June 26th perfectly fits into this tradition — an anthem that not only captures the game’s eerie atmosphere but boosts it with the band’s signature horror-inspired metal flair. The music video is a gore-soaked spectacle, featuring skating legend Tony Hawk, Final Destination’s Devon Sawa, and Terrifier 3 star Krsy Fox, making it a cinematic treat for horror and music fans alike.

Bridging Horror and Music With Authenticity

Ice Nine Kills have long established themselves as the kings of horror-themed rock, with two past albums diving deep into the macabre and a hand in soundtracks for films like Scream 7 (“Twisting The Knife”), Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come (“Hell Of High Slaughter 2”), and Terrifier 3 (“A Work Of Art”). For this collaboration, they worked closely with Michel F. April, Dead By Daylight’s longtime composer, to capture the exact vibe of the game.

Spencer Charnas, the band’s frontman, emphasized the importance of authenticity, saying the goal was for the song to “feel less like something merely influenced by that world and more like something that could naturally exist inside it.” That meant deep dives with the game’s creative team and hardcore players to fine-tune every detail — a fan’s dream come true!

“Getting to collaborate with Dead By Daylight felt like entering a universe that already shared a lot of our creative DNA.” – Spencer Charnas

Horror, Gaming, and Guitar Music: A Perfect Trio

What makes horror, gaming, and rock music such a potent combo? Spencer Charnas’s answer feels like a personal confession from a lifelong fan:

“My favorite albums and games are often the ones that show movies aren’t the only medium that can feel ‘cinematic.’ At their best, each is not only intense but completely immersive: the storytelling of a great game, a killer movie, or a captivating song can all sweep you away.”

He points out how these mediums can be relaxing too—creating a trifecta of experiences that mix thrills with emotional release. For fans like me, it’s that sense of being transported into another world that makes horror rock so addictive.

When asked about his favorite scary video games, Charnas has a long list that reads like a horror aficionado’s dream:

• “Rainy Day” from their album The Silver Scream 2: Welcome To Horrorwood pays tribute to Resident Evil.
• Silent Hill stands as a horror gaming staple.
• Upcoming Halloween: The Game, where Charnas even lent his voice for the deluxe edition.
• Of course, Dead By Daylight reigns supreme.
• And shout-out to Five Nights At Freddy’s, especially with OG Scream icon Matthew Lillard starring in the movie adaptations.

Not Just Horror: The Power of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

While the band thrives on horror vibes, Spencer’s gaming tastes expand beyond spooky realms. The classic Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, with its killer soundtracks and addictive gameplay, was a formative part of his youth:

“These games were a gateway to discovering bands you wouldn’t hear on MTV or the radio — Goldfinger, Dead Kennedys, Suicidal Tendencies, The Vandals, Bad Religion, and more.”

Having Tony Hawk cameo in the “Play Dead” video wasn’t just a nod to skate culture; it was a full-circle moment for Spencer, blending the worlds that shaped him. On set, their shared love of punk, ‘80s comedies like The Naked Gun, and offbeat pop culture made for a joyful atmosphere — even the band’s mascot, Dingbar, got in on the fun.

A Glimpse Into Ice Nine Kills’ Future

Fans will be eager to hear if “Play Dead” signals the band’s next creative direction. Spencer hints that the trajectory is there for those who want to connect the dots, noting how recent singles like “The Art Of Dying,” “The Great Unknown,” “The Laugh Track,” “Twisting The Knife,” and now “Play Dead” showcase their diverse musical palette.

Notably, “Twisting The Knife” earned the band their first Number One Active Rock Radio hit in the U.S., and following that with the intense “Play Dead” demonstrates their fearless approach to pushing boundaries.

From Fan to Franchise: Living the Horror Dream

For a band that’s crafted musical love letters to horror franchises, becoming officially part of those worlds is surreal for Spencer:

“Having our music connected to Terrifier, Scream, Ready Or Not, and now Dead By Daylight is still hard to fully wrap our heads around. It’s both surreal and incredibly meaningful.”

He reflects on how Scream’s music — from Marco Beltrami’s iconic scores to tracks like Soho’s “Whisper To A Scream” and Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand” — shaped him as much as the films did. Being part of that musical legacy feels like an honor and a chance to reignite the bond between rock and horror cinema that once felt inseparable.

The Ever-Present Pulse of Horror

The horror genre has seen a renaissance of sorts with elevated films like Obsession and Weapons adding layers of complexity and grit. Spencer acknowledges the genre’s ups and downs but insists horror will never fade:

“No matter the peaks and valleys, there are always invigorating, challenging, or just outright fun entries to discover if you know where to look. We could make a hundred albums and never run out of killer cinematic inspiration.”

Why Horror Matters When Times Are Uncertain

There’s something timeless about horror’s appeal, especially when the world feels chaotic. Spencer sums it up beautifully:

“Horror offers a unique kind of escapism — it lets us set aside real-world terrors for fantasy chills and thrills. Death has terrified and intrigued us since the beginning of time, and horror allows us to engage with those fears safely, smartly, and sometimes with a dash of silliness.”

For fans like us, horror’s mix of dread and delight is a comforting paradox — a way to face fears while being utterly entertained.

FAQ

• How did Ice Nine Kills collaborate with Dead By Daylight?
  They worked closely with the game’s composer and creative team, ensuring the song “Play Dead” felt like an authentic extension of the game’s universe.
• Which horror franchises has Ice Nine Kills contributed music to?
  They’ve contributed to Scream 7, Ready Or Not 2, and Terrifier 3 soundtracks, among others.
• What role does Tony Hawk play in the “Play Dead” video?
  Tony Hawk appears as a special guest, blending skate culture with horror and music, reflecting his iconic influence on Spencer and the band.
• Why does Ice Nine Kills focus so much on horror themes?
  The band members are lifelong horror fans who see horror as a rich source of inspiration that pairs perfectly with their musical style.
• Are there plans for Ice Nine Kills tours or shows?
  Yes, the band announced a UK arena tour in early 2027, including their biggest headline show ever at London’s O2 Arena.

If you’re as inspired by Ice Nine Kills’ blend of horror and rock as we are, why not bring a piece of that thrill home? Shop your favorite album cover posters and relive the thrills on your wall at Architeg Prints.