Ice Nine Kills Enters the Fog: Inside the Cinematic New Single ‘Play Dead’

The masters of horror-core have returned, and they’ve brought their cinematic chaos to the world of survival gaming.

On June 26, 2026, Ice Nine Kills dropped their latest single, “Play Dead” a pulse-pounding collaboration with the iconic survival horror game Dead by Daylight. Marking the game’s 10th anniversary, the track feels like a genuine extension of the Dead by Daylight universe, crafted with help from the game’s own composer, Michel F. April.

A Collision of Hooks, Horror, and Chaos

Led by the visionary Spencer Charnas, Ice Nine Kills has always thrived in the space between menace and mischief. “Play Dead” is the latest proof of their ability to blur the lines between heavy metal, theatrical storytelling, and pop-culture obsession.

While fans know them for their metalcore intensity, “Play Dead” leans into the densely catchy, melodic side of the band—the same energy that made their two breakthrough albums, The Silver Scream and Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2, such massive staples in the scene. The track trades pure aggression for a balance of guttural breakdowns and soaring, arena-ready hooks that get stuck in your head immediately.

“Ice Nine Kills has always lived somewhere between menace and mischief. ‘Play Dead,’ our take on Dead by Daylight, is a collision of hooks, horror, and total chaos.” — Spencer Charnas

The ‘INKverse’ Expands

True to their reputation, the visual for “Play Dead” is a massive event. It brings a legendary, eclectic cast into the “INKverse,” including:

• Tony Hawk: The skate legend, whose influence on subculture fits perfectly with the band’s creative ethos.

• Devon Sawa: A certified horror icon known for Idle Hands and Final Destination.

• Krsy Fox: The rising “scream queen” and producer behind Terrifier 3.

Why “Play Dead” Hits Different

For those who have followed the band’s evolution, “Play Dead” feels like the natural next step. Since their pivot into horror-themed metalcore, Ice Nine Kills has shifted from being just another band into a full-blown multimedia phenomenon. By working directly with the Dead by Daylight team, they made sure the song feels like an authentic piece of the game’s lore rather than just another soundtrack filler.

As part of the collaboration, fans can even jump into the game to grab an official Ice Nine Kills Collection DLC, letting you play as the band members themselves in the fog.

What’s Next for INK?

The release of “Play Dead” keeps the band’s hot streak alive. Between this and other recent tracks like “A Work of Art” for Terrifier 3 and “Twisting The Knife” for Scream 7, Ice Nine Kills has firmly cemented their status as the premier curators of horror-inspired heavy music.