Ice Nine Kills, A Work of Art

In the 44^th edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique “A Work of Art,” performed by Ice Nine Kills featuring SHAVO.

Do you know what day it is? It is Wednesday, folks! Do you know what that means? Why, it is Wacky Wednesday! In the spirited column Wacky Wednesday, we analyze, break down, and explore songs from various musicians of various genres that can be considered unique, unusual, or ‘wacky.’  These songs can be new or old; the only requirement is that they ‘catch the ears’ because of their distinctiveness.  With the background established, in the 44^th edition of Wacky Wednesday (2025), we break down the unique “A Work of Art” performed by Ice Nine Kills. Wacky Wednesday vibes commence!

“The art of dying brings me to life.” Oh, snap, Spencer Charnas.  The Ice Nine Kills frontman continues singing in the intro and eventual chorus of “A Work of Art”, “Death by design / Tongue tied and you’re terrified.” The chorus is incredibly tuneful, despite the dark vibes.  We would expect no less from the horror-loving, metal band.  “A Work of Art” is based on the 2024 Christmas slasher film, Terrifier 3. Notably, it features SHAVO (Shavo Odadjian), the bassist of System of a Down. Charnas, Drew Fulk, Steve Sopchak, Joe Occhiuti, and Paul Wiley penned “A Work of Art.” Morgoth Beatz and Drew Fulk produced it.

“A Work of Art” features a colorful, dark, and damning instrumental. The distorted, jagged guitars, accentuating keyboards, and pummeling drums catch the ears. The lyrics are morbid. “No one makes it out alive / Split the canvas open wide,” Charnas sings in the first verse, and continues, “Don’t you dare say Art is dead / Miles County’s painted red.” In the pre-chorus, there is “Celebrating, mutilating / Born from suffering.” D-d-damn! Fittingly, there is an interlude regarding the deadly Miles County Clown, who is wanted by the police. Dun, dun, dun! Leah Voysey performs the bridge, memorably singing, “Beauty’s in the eye of the beheader for tonight / The devil’s in the details and he’s painted white.” Oh, snap! There is a notable breakdown section that features Charnas, Odadjian, and others, featuring lyrics like “Acts of abstract disfigurement / Feast your eyes on it / An easel of evil, a frame to fill / Hang, hack, slash, kill.” Beyond the lyrics, the music cues and sounds during this section are wild, which is part of the allure and charm.  Ultimately, “A Work of Art” is, indeed, a work of art – a dark, disturbing one, of course! Per usual, Ice Nine Kills puts their foot into this one.