Ice Nine Kills present "Hell or High Slaughter (Grave Diggler Pt. 2)
Who else thought that Ice Nine Kills (INK) had a new single featured in the latest film release, Ready or Not 2 like me? It’s not all that far-fetched since they had a new release in Scream 7, but after the first note, I had to really dig around because this was not the INK that I knew. This was like if INK and Steel Panther had a child. Apparently, INK’s lead vocalist, Spencer Charnas’s father, took part in an ‘80s glam metal band named Grave Diggler. However, it appears that the band not only faded from existence with age, but the group also does not exist anywhere in the online universe, which is crazy!
According to Spencer Charnas, the formation of INK’s bandmates was brought together by all of their fathers having been in Grave Diggler together. Talk about being really close family friends, huh? The directors of Scream (2022) and Scream VI are the ones behind Ready or Not 2 and really wanted to find a way to include one of Grave Diggler’s forgotten anthems by bringing Spencer Charnas into the project. This track was the one that really put this group on the map, but due to controversies over the NSFW content, it was banned. This track is “Hell or High Slaughter (Grave Diggler Pt. 2) and they got the band INK to get the rights needed to perform a cover version. The music video is set up just like the original, with a lot of girls wearing bikinis while the band performs. However, not the INK everyone knows, but the INK x Grave Diggler with the big hair, glam, and provocative dance moves.
Spencer and Sonny Charnas have had a strained father-son relationship, and Spencer has noted that, similarly to Ready or Not 2, which focuses on a broken relationship in the family, it brought them closer together. This song is catchy and pushes the boundaries of NSFW videos, which definitely highlights glam metal. This music genre is not very well-known and not always well-received for the adult content it showcases, but I can tell you that it is still alive. Steel Panther is one of the only glam metal bands that I have seen and heard of; they are currently traveling on tour right now. Music is always a collaborative moment because artists are inspired by others, and according to some interviews, Grave Diggler is one of the front bands in this scene. Some members of Steel Panther (formerly Ratt) have even noted in interviews that they were always number one, no matter how much they tried. Yet, unfortunately, to the judgmental eye, their theatrics got buried under the negativity.
I’ll say glam metal is not really for me, but learning about the connection that it has with INK, it’s neat to learn about the different legacies that musicians can come from. So go stream “Hell or High Slaughter (Grave Diggler Pt. 2” and watch Ready or Not 2 because the song is out on YouTube and the movie hit theaters just a couple of weeks ago. Trust me, the movie is entirely worth it, and this song has a really catchy vibe.
