Ice Nine Kills dives headfirst into The Matrix universe on their latest single, “The Great Unknown,” and the result is a hauntingly melodic track that feels like it’s reaching through the digital veil, asking, “Can you take me away to a faraway place?” It’s a song that leans into storytelling, atmosphere, and mood. Something Ice Nine Kills has always done well, but this time, it’s wrapped in a glossy, radio-friendly package.
Let’s be honest, if you’re pressing play hoping for a wall of sound, ruthless breakdowns, or unearthly guttural screams, this isn’t going to scratch that itch. “The Great Unknown” is not the heaviest thing they’ve put out, not even close. What it is, though, is calculated, catchy, and clearly built for radio play. And honestly, that’s perfectly okay.
If you’ve been following the Silver Scream albums, you’ll already know this isn’t new territory. The band has always made room for a track or two that plays well in a mainstream setting. “A Grave Mistake” and “Hip to Be Scared” proved that Ice Nine Kills can write a hook just as well as they can write a horror-inspired breakdown. “The Great Unknown” follows that same formula, and history suggests it’s likely to be another fan favorite. Even if it doesn’t go as hard as their heaviest work.
Stylistically, the track feels like a child to both “A Grave Mistake” and “Rainy Day.” It’s melodic and brooding but still has that theatrical flair that sets INK apart from most bands in the metalcore world. The chorus, in particular, is where this song shines. It’s big, bold, and incredibly infectious. I’ve had it stuck in my head since my first listen, and now that it’s hit Octane as of July 7th, I wouldn’t be surprised if it gains serious momentum in the coming weeks.
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That being said, it didn’t hit me right out of the gate. The first couple of verses felt a little underwhelming on my first playthrough. I understand the creative direction. The glitchy production and robotic tone are clearly meant to match the digital, AI-heavy aesthetic of The Matrix. However, for me, it didn’t land as smoothly as the moodier build-up we got in “Rainy Day.” It felt slightly disconnected, but that could be intentional, mirroring the disconnection between man and machine. Still, I can see myself warming up to it with more listens. Some Ice Nine Kills songs have taken a few spins before fully clicking, and I have a feeling this one might fall into that category.
And look, I say all this as a diehard fan. I’ve got three Ice Nine Kills tattoos, and I’ve followed their evolution for years. This critique isn’t coming from a place of dismissal; it’s coming from a place of passion and high expectations. I’ve grown to love songs I was lukewarm on at first. That may very well happen here too. I’ll probably be singing this chorus word for word in a week and wondering what my problem was.
At the end of the day, music is personal. Everyone connects to songs differently, and no opinion is right or wrong. Even if “The Great Unknown” didn’t instantly floor me, it’s clear the song was crafted with intent. It has massive commercial potential, it fits perfectly into their horror-meets-cinema aesthetic (even though The Matrix isn’t horror), and it shows that Ice Nine Kills continues to evolve while staying true to their core identity.
Whether it’s the dark theatrics, the Matrix-inspired glitch effects, or just a solid rock radio hook, there’s something here that fans will latch onto. “The Great Unknown” might not be the heaviest track in the band’s catalog, but it just might be one of the catchiest. Give it time. This faraway place might be worth the trip.
