Freddy vs. Jason vs. Azra – Blood Three Ways
One, two buckle your shoes and run for your bloody lives (bloody being the operative word) as here come Ice Nine Kills armed with the famous bladed glove and wearing THE striped sweater to slice you in half. What attracted me to this record was the Freddy Krueger inspired video for “American Nightmare” when teenagers around the world walked out of their classrooms and wandered into the arms of a lunatic killer. Its hammers, tongs, screwdrivers, coshes and axes at the ready folks for a horrorfest designed to darken- and bloody- any door. Time to unwind in this bloodbath after a long day; it is indeed a violent delight (remember them?)
From Elm Street we head to Camp Crystal Lake and prepare to grapple with Jason in “Thank God It’s Friday”. These two videos are amazing to watch as we relive the movies through these songs.
It is a concept album that is as sharp as a box of tacks, ready to gouge your eyes out and pique your skin, no second thoughts here, leaving you to be happily dragged over hot coals screaming incessantly with insane jollity only to succumb to a “Stabbing In The Dark”. Hear the warning loud and clear,
“Michael Myers is armed and extremely dangerous” and then scarper for the abject safety of home as the family of “SAVAGES” gather for supper. This is the Leatherface ceilidh with a shillelagh, as we sway disgracefully around the kitchen and he strums monstrously on his chainsaw a tune of dismemberment.
“You won’t make it out of our neighbourhood.” These lyrics are apt in their formulation and deadly in their delivery,
Come in number five, your time is up. In fact, “The Jig Is Up” here with Randy Strohmeyer of Finch (Letters To You – my heart cannot contain- oh!), the first of six featured artists which adds depth, and enhances the structure and definition of the music. Influenced by the movie “Saw” this song would have been ideal on the soundtrack.
Next, we have wedding bells that morph into alarm bells in “A Grave Mistake”, toasting the bride and groom takes on a whole new meaning.
Jeremy Schwartz who was in the band from 2002-2009, makes a special appearance on “Rocking The Boat” which tells of “A monster lurking underneath”. Referring to Jaws, we are reeled into the boat itself and terrorised by that da-dum, da-dum, da-dum theme as we are thrown from one killer to another as the record plays on.
“Enjoy Your Slay” features Sam Kubrick, grandson of the late, great Stanley, he is also a member of London based band Shields. An unparalleled legacy results in this nerve shredder of a song, with references to The Shining, that would induce a mind flip in the most level headed amongst us.
“If you need help finding piece of mind don’t hesitate to axe” and “They can see the vacancy, say goodbye to sanity” such delightful words would grace any hotel brochure and entice you for a weekend away.
With “Freak Flag” the stunning harmonies and top- notch musicianship continues to raise the bar and we are faced with the depressing lyric
“A far cry from the fairy tale ending” which then leads us to “The World In My Hands” which sees Tony Lovato of Mest make an appearance and sends your blood pressure sky rocketing into the galaxy, never to be the same again.
“How tragic to suppose that I almost held the world in my hands” may seem a defeatist lyric but it is still powerful enough to draw blood.
Silent night, holy night gets a makeover that shakes you to the core in “Merry Axe-Mas” with a brief interlude before the guitars slay (quite literally) and Mr Charnas uses his piercing vocals to drive the point home.
A frightfully entertaining mix of melancholic murder and madness interspersed with fits of maniacal merry making.
“Love Bites” is the werewolf inspired ballad; a treat for the eardrums, and a grand vocal performance from Chelsea Talmadge (Stranger Things), been a long time since I’ve heard such a great duet.
“So howl at the moon, how can it be, the softer the skin the sharper the teeth.”
Who said romance is dead? This is lupine love at its best.
We finish with adventures in the big top with “IT Is The End” featuring Less Than Jake and Fenix TX, the song starts with a typical circus theme tune conjuring images of popcorn and candy floss and then you find yourself in a Hall of Mirrors with the lights out and only a torch and a demented clown for company. Enjoy!
“Trust me sweet child”. Would you listen to someone who whispered those deliciously dark and deceptive words to you?
Witness an unbridled tapestry, joining the two worlds of cinema and music, a sterling effort all round, Ice Nine Kills have every reason to strut around with their (decapitated) heads held high.
As I lie bleeding, I think of the horrors that have plagued me.
Thirteen songs later, I have my thirteen reasons why.
Sleep well.
Azra Pathan
Ice Nine Kills- The Silver Scream out 5th October on Fearless Records
Great review!! So many questions about this album, I’m so excited. I must ask though, what movies are tracks 9, 11, and 12 based on?
Thanks for the positive comments. I’m really excited about this album too. From what I can gather track 9 is based on the film/ TV series called “Missing”. Track 11 is based on Silent Night, Deadly Night and track 12 is said to be based on The Crow according to genius.com, but I reckon its more An American Werewolf in London as the lyrics are quite accurate in their portrayal.
Track 6 (A Grace Mistake) is actually based on The Crow so you’re probably right about the werewolf one! And how about track 10? Are there a lot of breakdowns in the album? Excited for future reviews from you! 😀
Hi, according to genius.com track 10 is based on Hellraiser most likely. There are breakdowns in the LP as the subject matter lends itself to them for structure and emphasis. I will be reviewing other albums, but feel free to have a look at my previous ones amongst which you will find Trash Boat, Oh Weatherly, WSTR, The Faim, Brainstorm and Deaf Havana. Once again, thanks for the support, much appreciated.