"Anyone could’ve reasonably predicted that this is where Ice Nine Kills would take themselves going forward. "The Silver Scream" was unquestionably their most successful work to date in basing each song around a specific horror film, and this seems like a measure to follow the dual-headed tradition of keeping a working formula going and the horror industry churning out a billion sequels whenever possible...
"The Silver Scream"’s appeal has lasted a surprising amount of time and might’ve even blossomed further, as a means of leaning into the inherent melodrama and theatricality this sort of polished metalcore can make work... Conceptually, it’s easy to see why they’re returning to the well and how they can pull it off without feeling like they’re running dry already; horror is a fertile ground to draw from, and there’s clearly an appreciation of it within Ice Nine Kills to get down some solid ideas from it...
It’s more fun to watch play out than anything else, especially when there’s no great depth or purpose to these songs beyond revelling in the highly stylised gore and drama that’s so easy to like for the most part. Somewhat surprisingly too, that comes from Ice Nine Kills putting a greater focus on the musical aspect of this idea and forming their ideas around that, rather than the other way around...
There’s clearly been a lot of work put into making this album sound grand to match its cinematic intentions, which is probably the area that Ice Nine Kills fare most consistently the best in. They make the most of the greater concessions to polish and melody that their scene-leaning status lends them, though not at the expense at some genuine heaviness that makes this a lot more thrilling...
"Welcome To Horrorwood" has a freshness and fun that most metalcore seems utterly allergic to, but that Ice Nine Kills excel in regardless." - The Soundboard
CD Pressing
Tracklisting:
1. Opening Night...
2. Welcome To Horrorwood
3. A Rash Decision
4. Assault & Batteries
5. The Shower Scene
6. Funeral Derangements
7. Rainy Day
8. Hip To Be Scared
9. Take Your Pick
10. The Box
11. F.L.Y.
12. Würst Vacation
13. Ex-Mørtis
14. Farewell II Flesh
