ICE NINE KILLS TAKE FANS INTO “THE GREAT UNKNOWN” WITH NEW MATRIX-INSPIRED SINGLE + MUSIC VIDEO
Ice Nine Kills Credit F Scott Schafer
Metalcore’s masters of horror and high-concept mayhem, Ice Nine Kills, have returned — and this time, they're trading blood-soaked summer camps for a digital dystopia. The band’s new single, “The Great Unknown,” dropped today alongside a stunning sci-fi-inspired music video directed by the ever-brilliant Jensen Noen.
Inspired by The Matrix and drenched in the band’s signature cinematic style, “The Great Unknown” finds frontman Spencer Charnas navigating a neon-drenched nightmare of glitching realities, hidden agendas, and virtual insanity. The video feels more like a mini action-thriller than a standard rock visual, packed with suspense, stylized chaos, and just enough existential dread to keep you questioning your own reality.
Sonically, the track is a razor-edged ride — loaded with crushing riffs, haunting melodies, and lyrics that explore themes of control, illusion, and rebellion. As always, Ice Nine Kills straddle the line between brutal and theatrical, delivering a sound that hits hard while telling a story worth getting lost in.
But the drop of “The Great Unknown” didn’t come out of nowhere.
For weeks, fans have been deep in speculation over Charnas’ increasingly strange behavior online. What began as a few off-kilter social posts spiraled into full-blown internet hysteria — cryptic captions, eerie glitches, and appearances that felt... off. Some have gone so far as to suggest that Charnas has been replaced by a malfunctioning AI. That theory gained major traction after Roy Merkin — longtime Ice Nine Kills antagonist, obscure horror novelist, and alleged ex-golf caddy to O.J. Simpson — had an unhinged outburst during a panel at last year’s Silver Scream Convention, claiming Spencer had “uploaded himself and left the rest of us behind.”
While the band has yet to confirm or deny the rumors, the rollout for “The Great Unknown” has only added fuel to the fire. In a brief, glitch-filled statement shared earlier today, Charnas said:
“Truth is a construct. Identity is malleable. And reality is nothing more than well-marketed fiction. See you on the other side.”
What exactly is going on behind the curtain at Ice Nine Kills HQ remains unclear. But one thing’s for sure: “The Great Unknown” is more than just a song — it’s a door opening to something much bigger, stranger, and more ambitious.
ICE NINE KILLS: HELL OF A SUMMER TOUR
All dates subject to change. Visit IceNineKills.com for the latest information.
Sunday, August 10 – Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
Tuesday, August 12 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
Thursday, August 14 – Tempe, AZ – Mullett Arena
Saturday, August 16 – Reno, NV – Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
Sunday, August 17 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House and Event Center
Monday, August 18 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
Wednesday, August 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center
Thursday, August 21 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park
Friday, August 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center
Sunday, August 24 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Wednesday, August 27 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee
Thursday, August 28 – Youngstown, OH – The Covelli Centre
Friday, August 29 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
Sunday, August 31 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
Tuesday, September 2 – National Harbor, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Wednesday, September 3 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome
Friday, September 5 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
Saturday, September 6 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – War Memorial Auditorium
Saturday, September 13 – Worcester, MA – DCU Center (Silver Scream Con