Horror and heavy music have become inseparable parts of the Ice Nine Kills universe, and the band’s latest announcement continues that trend in a major way. Over the last several years, the band has transformed itself from a metalcore band into one of the most recognizable horror themed bands in modern music. Now, the band is stepping directly into one of gaming’s biggest horror franchises.
Ice Nine Kills have officially announced their new collaborative single, “Play Dead,” created alongside the hit multiplayer horror game Dead By Daylight. The song arrives on June 26 and marks another high profile crossover between the worlds of music, gaming, and horror entertainment.
The announcement comes during an already busy period for the band. They recently contributed music to the upcoming Scream 7 soundtrack and revealed that frontman Spencer Charnas will be lending his voice talents to Halloween: The Game. With “Play Dead,” Ice Nine Kills continue expanding their reach across multiple corners of horror culture while staying true to the cinematic storytelling that has defined their career. You can check out the music video for “Play Dead” on Dead By Daylight’s live stream below:
Music Video Premiered During Dead By Daylight’s 10th Anniversary Celebration
While the official release of “Play Dead” is scheduled for June 26, fans already received an early look at the project during Dead By Daylight’s 10th anniversary livestream celebration. The music video debuted at the event, giving viewers their first taste of the collaboration. The premiere served as one of several major announcements made throughout the anniversary stream as Behaviour Interactive outlined future plans for the game.
The timing could not be more fitting. Dead By Daylight is celebrating a full decade as one of gaming’s premier horror experiences, and the addition of Ice Nine Kills reinforces the game’s continued connection to horror culture beyond gaming. Adding even more intrigue, Tony Hawk personally introduced the music video premiere during the anniversary livestream and appears set to play a larger role in the next chapter of the campaign.
Pre saves for the new single are now available as anticipation builds toward the June 26 release date.
New Ice Nine Kills Cosmetics Arrive In Dead By Daylight
The partnership extends beyond music. Starting June 16, Dead By Daylight players will gain access to a collection of Ice Nine Kills inspired cosmetics within the game. The collection features themed outfits for several survivors, including Dwight, Meg, Jeff, and Kate, while The Legion also receives content inspired by the band’s signature horror aesthetic.
For longtime fans, the addition feels like a perfect match. The band has spent years crafting a recognizable visual identity built around horror films, theatrical performances, and cinematic storytelling. Bringing all those elements into Dead By Daylight allows players to engage with the band in an entirely new way. It also continues a growing trend of music artists becoming part of interactive gaming experiences rather than simply contributing songs.
Dead By Daylight’s History With Heavy Music
The game has previously partnered with metal giants such as Slipknot and Iron Maiden, helping establish a strong relationship between the horror gaming community and the heavy music world. During the same anniversary livestream, Behaviour Interactive also revealed a new cosmetic skin inspired by Iron Maiden’s iconic mascot Eddie, further demonstrating the franchise’s commitment to bringing legendary music properties into the game.
Those collaborations have proven successful because they appeal to audiences that often share similar interests. Horror fans, gamers, and metal fans have historically occupied many of the same spaces, making these partnerships feel authentic rather than forced. Ice Nine Kills may be one of the most natural fits yet.
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