Ice Nine Kills' Silver Scream-A-Thon: A Bloody Good Time at The Rave

Last Saturday night (along with a Friday date.), Milwaukee’s The Rave transformed into a completely SOLD OUT twisted horror film set as Ice Nine Kills brought their Silver Scream-A-Thon to town — a two-night event celebrating both The Silver Scream albums. Imagine Broadway meets a haunted house and everyone's screaming into a circle pit, that’s Ice Nine Kills. If you're into theatrical metal and enjoy seeing people fake-murdered on stage while shredding guitars, this show was for you.

Ice Nine Kills (aka INK) started out as a ska-punk outfit in the early 2000s, but quickly shifted to heavier music. Over the years, they’ve found a unique niche in the metal scene, blending metalcore with horror film storytelling. By the time The Silver Scream came out in 2018, they’d fully committed to their aesthetic.

Kicking off the night was Dark Divine, a rising band from Orlando. The band started quite a bit earlier than they were scheduled, so the venue wasn’t quite full, but the parts I heard were worth showing up for. The vocals were tight, the breakdowns hit hard, and the corpse paint shined under the Rave’s bright lighting.

Next came TX2, a Fort Collins-based artist who mixed rap-rock energy and raw emotion. Imagine if Linkin Park and Falling in Reverse had a baby who’s really into TikTok. (For those who know what I’m talking about please note TX2 is quite a bit stronger of a performer than people say.)

Hail the Sun, the final opener, brought a more progressive flavor to the evening. Their technical prowess was clear, but their more abstract vibe may have clashed a little with the horror theme of the evening. Still, their performance was strong and one of my favorites of the openers.

From the second Ice Nine Kills took the stage, it was clear this wasn’t just a concert — it was theatrics. Frontman Spencer Charnas stormed the stage dressed like a serial killer, launching into “Welcome to Horrorwood” which the fans screamed. The setlist was a dream for fans: both Silver Scream albums performed in full over two nights. (This review focuses on Night Two)

The band kept up the theatrics and visuals for every track, costume changes, prop murders, and even a guy in a Michael Myers mask lurking onstage. Guitarists Ricky Armellino and Dan Sugarman joined Spencer Charnas with Patrick Galante (drums) and Joe Occhiuti (bass). It’s interesting to see a band perform at this level while also pretending to chainsaw people mid-song.

The crowd energy was powerful, and I was able to notice even as someone who isn’t  as familiar with the band. Everyone knew the words, the mosh pit was just the right amount of violent, and no one seemed to care that it was approximately 130 degrees inside The Rave. (Which seemed to be oversold, something the band couldn’t control but an issue for fans in the back who definitely couldn’t see a single thing.)

If you’re into music with a side of murder, metalcore, and movie magic — Ice Nine Kills is your band.

05/18 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre #

05/19 Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre $

05/20 Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC @ 20 Monroe #

05/21 Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC @ 20 Monroe $

05/23 Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field *

05/24 Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater #

05/25 Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater $

05/29 San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater #

05/30 San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theater $

06/01 Houston, TX @ House of Blues #

06/02 Houston, TX @ House of Blues $

06/04 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle #

06/05 Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle $

06/06 Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium *

06/08 New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore #

06/09 New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore $

06/11 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues #

06/12 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues $

06/20 Santa Clara, CA @ Levi's Stadium *

06/27 Denver, CO @ Empower Field At Mile High *

* supporting Metallica

# with The Word Alive, The Funeral Portrait, and Melrose Avenue

$ with Hail The Sun, TX2, and Dark Divine