Spencer Charnas Breaks Down Horror, Metal & the Ice Nine Kills Cinematic Universe | Ep. 255 HTBITY

Spencer Charnas joins me for a conversation about horror movies, heavy music, fandom culture, and how Ice Nine Kills evolved from a metal band into a full cinematic universe.

We talk about the band’s obsession with horror films, creating music inspired by iconic slashers, building collectible merch fans actually care about, and why horror audiences are some of the most loyal fans in entertainment. Spencer also breaks down the storytelling behind Ice Nine Kills, balancing theatrics with music, and how the band turned niche concepts into a massive brand.

We also get into what it’s actually like performing this kind of music live night after night, the physical side of screaming on stage, and why horror and heavy music seem to attract such passionate fans. The conversation drifts into horror nostalgia, growing up on classic movies, and how comedy, film, and metal all tap into the same instinct to shock people, entertain them, and give them an escape from reality.

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About Spencer:

Spencer Charnas is the lead vocalist and creative force behind Ice Nine Kills, the horror-inspired metal band known for blending heavy music with cinematic storytelling. Over the last several years, Ice Nine Kills has built a massive cult following through concept albums inspired by classic horror films, including The Silver Scream and Welcome to Horrorwood.

Known for elaborate live shows, theatrical music videos, and collectible merch culture, Spencer has helped turn Ice Nine Kills into more than just a band — creating a full horror-themed universe that connects music, film, comedy, and fandom culture. The group has toured internationally, collaborated with major names in horror, and become one of the most recognizable modern acts in heavy music.

Follow Spencer Charnas / Ice Nine Kills:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@spencerink
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@iceninekills
Website: https://iceninekills.com

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Timestamps: 

00:00 – Spencer Charnas brings horror-themed gifts and explains the Ice Nine Kills universe

08:15 – Growing up obsessed with horror movies and discovering heavy music

17:40 – The origins of Ice Nine Kills and where the band name came from

27:10 – Turning horror films into songs and building a cinematic identity

36:45 – Why horror fans and metal fans are so loyal to their fandoms

46:20 – Stage performance, screaming techniques, and surviving long tours

56:35 – Collectible merch culture and creating items fans actually want to keep

01:05:10 – Scream, slashers, and the influence of classic horror franchises

01:14:40 – The crossover between comedy, horror, and shocking an audience

01:24:05 – Music videos, storytelling, and creating the Ice Nine Kills cinematic universe

01:33:30 – Touring stories, fan reactions, and balancing theatrics with music

01:42:15 – Horror nostalgia, cult movies, and the future of the genre

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🎟️ Tour Dates: jamiekennedy.com 

👕 Merch: jamiekennedy.com/merch 

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