Before their sons became the new faces of theatrical metal, Grave Diggler was busy leaving a glittery, whiskey-soaked stain on the 1980s. They were the masters of decadence, desecration, and the occasional panty raid, standing platform-boot-to-platform-boot with the likes of Mötley Crüe, Poison, and W.A.S.P. But as the ’90s rolled in, the combination of terrible business deals and even worse drugs extinguished the “fire in their loins,” and Grave Diggler faded into the hazy annals of glam rock history. Until now. Because in the world of horror, nothing stays buried for long.
The “Radio Silence” Resurrection
When the directing duo behind Scream (2022) and Scream VI began crafting Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (out in theaters today, March 20th!), they knew they needed a specific kind of sonic chaos. They set their sights on a forgotten Grave Diggler anthem, but tracking down the rights turned into a legal battle royale between fathers and sons.
The result? Ice Nine Kills has officially re-recorded the legendary track “Hell or High Slaughter (Grave Diggler: Pt. 2)” for the sequel’s soundtrack. Even wilder? The infamously banned 1987 music video is finally seeing the light of day.
A Family Affair (With More Eyeliner)
The project turned out to be more than just a soundtrack contribution for Ice Nine Kills frontman Spencer Charnas.
“I’ve been estranged from my father for a long time,” Charnas admits. “But this movie, and this song, while bringing a lot of complicated feelings to the surface, also brought us back together.”
It turns out nothing heals a family rift quite like a high-budget horror sequel and a song about slaughter.
Watch the “Banned” Footage
If you’re looking for a dose of NSFW nostalgia, an 80s vibe, and modern metal shredding, you’re in luck. “Ice Nine Kills Presents Hell or High Slaughter (Grave Diggler: Pt 2)” and its “too-hot-for-the-80s” music video is officially live. Watch it below. But here’s a warning, it is NSFW!
Head to theaters now to witness one hell of a fight for survival in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come!
