\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not uncommon for bands to have discounts on their merchandise during Memorial Day weekend, and horror-themed metalcore ensemble Ice Nine Kills<\/a> are no exception. This year, however, they may not be going about it in the best way, as they\u2019ve been accused of using AI to promote their Memorial Day merch sale.<\/p>\n Per Lambgoat<\/a>, Ice Nine Kills published an Instagram Story<\/a> featuring \u201can image of Freddy Krueger [from the A Nightmare on Elm Street<\/em> series] and Jason [Voorhees, from the Friday the 13th <\/em>series] grilling together, alongside a link to their merch shop labeled \u2018Chop Here.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear when Ice Nine Kills shared the Instagram Story, but they also posted the image to Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a> on May 24 (so it\u2019s safe to assume it was around the same time). It\u2019s also being used as a banner image on their official merch store<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can see the image below (which tells prospective customers that they can get \u201cup to 50% off select styles\u201d):<\/p>\n In their reporting of the story, Metal Injection<\/a> said that they used \u201cWasItAI and HiveModeration to see if the image was AI.\u201d They also suggest \u201cjust us[ing] your eyes and look[ing] at any of the super weird aspects [of the image],\u201d such as the knives being upside down and a bunch of indeterminate items being on \u201cthe side table.\u201d<\/p>\n Since then, at least one Reddit thread<\/a> has emerged (titled \u201cIce Nine Kills Using AI Generated Images to Promote a Merch Sale\u201d) accusing the band of, well, doing what we\u2019ve said they\u2019re suspected of doing.<\/p>\n The starting post reads: \u201cI’m sure some people don’t care, but man it’s pretty infuriating when artists use shit like this. You know they’d be pissed if they didn’t get paid for their art.\u201d<\/p>\n From there, dozens of people have replied with a wide array of opinions.<\/p>\n For instance, one Reddit user stated: \u201cYeah how do you expect me to support your art when you can’t even support other artists. Gtfo with this ai bullshit.\u201d Likewise, another one wrote, \u201cHas to be one of the least surprising bands to be caught using if true,\u201d and someone else declared: \u201cI mean its INK. Profit above all else, thats one less artist to pay. They’re just a merch machine and a business more than they are a band.\u201d<\/p>\n There were some more understanding \u2013 if not supportive and defensive \u2013 takes as well, though.<\/p>\n Specifically, one person explained: \u201cThe most likely scenario is they paid an artist who then used AI. We don’t know if any of the band members themselves actually generated this AI image.\u201d Similarly, another user clarified: \u201cI\u2019m obviously against AI art use, but it\u2019s hard to care that much when it\u2019s a one-off thing from a group of actual artists advertising their merch, which itself was also designed by actual artists. No reason to crucify the band over a gag.\u201d<\/p>\n The Reddit thread is also full of fans claiming that new drummer Mike Cortada \u2013 who\u2019s been doing designs for Ice Nine Kills for years<\/a>, and who replaced Patrick Galante in 2024 \u2013 is responsible for the promotional image.<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone else said their drummer is the artist that designs and draws their merch…if that is correct they [Ice Nine Kills] either went around him or he used AI…well or for all that is concerned the managment and\/or spencer [Charnas, vocals] did cut him out of this promo, we all know InK is really Spencer Charnas and Band,\u201d wrote one user.<\/p>\n Naturally, Ice Nine Kills received comparable responses on their Facebook and X posts, and as of this writing, they\u2019ve not acknowledged to the accusation(s).<\/p>\n How do you<\/em> feel about this situation, though? Do you think Ice Nine Kills used AI to help sell merch, and if so, are you upset about it? Let us know!<\/p>\n READ MORE: The 67 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2024<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n This is certainly not the first time a band has come under scrutiny for allegedly using AI in recent years (whether intentionally or not, and whether transparently or not).<\/p>\n For example, earlier this year, Dream Theater<\/a> and renowned artist Hugh Syme<\/a> were accused of using it<\/a> for the artwork of Parasomnia<\/a><\/em>. Likewise, Killswitch Engage<\/a> were suspected of using AI for the look of 2025\u2019s This Consequence<\/a><\/em> (which bassist Mike D\u2019Antonio adamantly refuted<\/a>).<\/p>\n Last year, Unleash the Archers<\/a>\u2019 Brittney Slayes spoke with Loudwire<\/a> about the dystopic technological theme of their latest LP \u2013 2024\u2019s Phantoma<\/a><\/em> \u2013 as well as the intersection of music and AI in general.<\/p>\n She commented that \u201cthere is definitely the potential for AI to take work away from artists,\u201d but that \u201ccompanies will still need to hire someone who knows how to use programs such as Midjourney and Dall-E and in such a way that the imagery isn\u2019t horrible (as we know AI imagery to be right now in the hands of amateurs).\u201d<\/p>\n She continued:<\/p>\n The process still takes a human and still takes time, so why not just hire an artist with a style you like? . . . Perhaps there are those that will create all-AI projects that try to use it in every facet, but I think existing musicians will probably continue to use it as a novelty and not as something they incorporate fully into their process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In 2024, Ice Nine Kills released a Terrifier<\/em>-themed music video for new single \u201cA Work of Art<\/a>\u201d (which was also featured on the Terrifier 3 <\/em>soundtrack).\u00a0Back in January,\u00a0they also released a new \u201cHeed the Call for California<\/a>\u201d t-shirt to support the lengthy California wildfire relief efforts.<\/p>\n Ice Nine Kills are going to be at the Washington, D.C. stop of this year\u2019s Warped Tour<\/a> \u2013 which\u2019ll take place between June 14 and 15 \u2013 as well, and you can check out more info and grab tickets here<\/a>. These metalcore albums all represent something different, showcasing the diversity of the bands in the scene when at their very best.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Bryan Rolli<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat People Are Saying About Ice Nine Kills\u2019 AI Merch Sale Promotion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
More About Artists + AI in Recent Years<\/h3>\n
\n
What Else Have Ice Nine Kills Been Doing Lately?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Best Album From 11 Legendary Metalcore Bands<\/h2>\n