Septemeber 13-15, 2024 | DCU Center | Worcester, MA
The Silver Scream Con was now the highlight of the year for me. Ice Nine Kills has been a personal favorite band of mine for years. The creativity behind not only the music itself but the music videos transports you into a movie world within itself. Ice Nine Kills has been around for over 20 years but has gained an extensive following after 2015 with the album release “Every Trick in the Book.” As a band that demonstrates that metal-core, punk & horror still have a place to go hand in hand. Spencer Charnas has helped unite these two worlds and with what can only be described as a man with an endless imagination to inspire and create the birth of Silver Scream Con, born three years ago in his home state of Massachusetts.
I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this year as a first-time goer to the Silver Scream Con in Worcester, MA. Coming from Florida, it was worth it to make this trip, and many others traveled even further to attend this horror event! With the mindset that if I’m going, I’m going all in with the R.I.P. ticket, which, for any that will be going next year, I more than recommend it! I also had the privilege to do a Zoom interview a few days prior with the one and only Ari Lehman from First Jason, who played “Jason Voorhees” in the original Friday The 13th, and I was looking forward to meeting him in person!
I booked my trip a little early to get there and scope out the DCU Center, and very grateful that I did, as they added the night before the Con began a double feature night at Off The Rails, which was a full feature of “Welcome To Horrorwood” & the movie “The Retaliators.” As I have never been to Massachusetts, I wanted to ensure I could find these venues downtown. As I arrived at Off The Rails for the Double Feature on my solo trip, the entry was easy, and not only did they have an exclusive poster at the door but T-shirts in each seat for “The Retaliators.” You could also check in early for the convention and get your lanyard and bag with special R.I.P. exclusive items.
As the night began, I met some fantastic people. Ryan J. Downey was hosting, and Producer/Actor Michael Lombardi also made an appearance to introduce the film that night. Spencer also popped in among the crowd that night to check out the movies and say hi to fans and friends. With the celebrity guests that came through, it was a fantastic, mellow night where everyone was having a good time. That night was a great start to an unforgettable weekend, and the new friends made were just the beginning of what many wished would not come to an end in a few days.
As day 1 of the Silver Scream Con 3 was to begin with doors opening at 5 pm and a unique Psychos-only mixer ahead of that from 4 pm-5 pm (R.I.P.), the line felt never ending wrapping itself around the DCU. The first day had great panels set in place in a hall to the right of the main entrance, while inside the DCU center, the place was overloaded with vendors that you could easily get lost in wanting something from everywhere. Those in attendance, also horror fans, were in costumes and displayed their love for horror. The schedule for panels kicked off with 5–6 pm INKED IN BLOOD, followed with 6–7 pm TALKIN’ CHOP W/BILL MOSELEY — 7–8 pm THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY THE 13TH — 8–10 pm HORROR TRIVIA W/JOSE MANGIN —10 pm R.I.P. PARTY AT OFF THE RAILS. (Below are the links for the panels.)
The convention had amazing vendors, photo ops, and celebrity panels. This place was packed from day one, and from other conventions that I had attended, this was the busiest, but it only shows that horror is not dead! After the day’s events, there was the R.I.P. Afterparty back to Off The Rails. With special guests and an acoustic performance from The Funeral Portrait, a stand-up set by Jamie Kennedy and Karaoke! All of these were incredible, and during the karaoke set, a 10-year-old boy sang “Hip to be Scared” by the one and only Ice Nine Kills; let me tell you, this boy…killed it and has a future ahead of him! Nadia jumped on the stage and danced, and host Jose “Metal Ambassador” Mangin jumped in only to play the part of Jacoby Shaddix being killed during the breakdown of the song, perfectly fitting the music video. Ice Nine Kills band members were hanging out with friends and fans, and everyone was having a great time. The place stayed full until close at 2 am only to get ready for day two of the Con. Which, by the way, was only about to get even better!
R.I.P After Party
Day 2 was an earlier start at 12 am after a fun late night with new friends and on continued the events. Photo ops continued and celebrity signings, and day 2 panels were: 12–1 pm TALK SCARY TO ME W/DANIELLE HARRIS & SCOUT TAYLOR COMPTON —1–2 pm YOUR NUMBER’S UP W/THE CAST OF SCREAM —2-3 pm 25 YEARS OF IDLE HANDS W/DEVON SAWA & ELDEN HENSON—3–4 pm STABBING IN THE DARK W/CAST OF HALLOWEEN — 4–7 pm COSPLAY CONTEST.
It is not easy to describe the fun and excitement of the fans, but everyone gets the chance to meet or see some of their icons all in one place. I saw Ricky and Miles from INK walking around the DCU Center, checking out the vendors and saying hi to many fans. But you had to track everything timing-wise as so much was happening. Which panels you wanted to see, and if you have photo ops to get there in time and lines to meet and signings with celebrity guests. Spencer Charnas‘s signing line was insanely long, as many wanted to meet him. This was also the day that the Silver Scream Concert was to take place! One I was eagerly looking forward to covering the show.
First Jason opened the concert, followed by TX2, Avatar, In this Moment, and the only horror kings, Ice Nine Kills. As a professional concert photographer, this was a show that I’d been looking forward to for months, and all bands were on point. The Palladium was an outdoor venue concert with perfect weather. This place was packed as not only were those in attendance of the Con going, but fans also had the chance to purchase tickets for the concert! It got to the point where getting from one side to another was nearly impossible. During the set of In This Moment, several of us were having a blast near the stage with the balloons being thrown back into the crowd and confetti. The long wait of Ice Nine Kills taking the stage ended, and as I have been able to see them a few times before, this was no different… they killed it! With the pyro and fireworks, this was my personal favorite show! With fan-favorite songs and even a few that I was not expecting to be performed.
Hands down an incredible con-cert to top off the night! I was grateful to be able to attend the afterparty and get a chance to catch up with many of the guests and meet many more exceptionally talented people. Had a moment to catch up with Spencer and chat for a few, but as anyone who has had the chance to speak with him, he is one of the most down-to-earth individuals. Another late night ending at 2 am to get back to it the next day for the last day of the convention. I couldn’t picture day 3 topping the past few days, but more surprises were to take place.
ICE NINE KILLS
AVATAR
TX2
First Jason
Day 3 started at 11 am, a rough morning, but what better reason to get up and going than for more horror-filled events? The last-day panels also had the long-awaited one with INK and a special announcement. 12–1 pm THE JIG IS UP W/SHAWNEE SMITH — 1–2 pm CLOWNIN’ AROUND W/THE TERRIFIER CREW — 2–3 pm WELCOME TO HORRORWOOD —3-4 pm WURST VACATION W/ELI ROTH — 4–5 pm THIRD TIME’S THE HARM W/ICE NINE KILLS.
Day 3 continued with another packed day, with fans reliving and talking about the concert from the previous night and favorite moments. By this day, many new friends had been made, and let’s not forget those working the event, including security, to ensure everyone’s safety and care for one another. Many are buying last-minute souvenirs, even those getting tattoos on-site! With everyone dreading the end of this weekend, I am in agreement. A rare moment where Groundhog Day wouldn’t be the worst thing, but for the whole weekend.
The final panel with Ice Nine Kills finally came around. The band shared funny moments, and fans could ask the band questions. Still, David Howard Thornton jumped out before the end of the panel to bring about the special announcement that everyone had been waiting for a collaboration….Spencer finally broke the anticipation of Ice Nine Kills, making the official Terrifier 3 music Video collaboration! Everyone at this point was ecstatic to have their hearts dreams coming true, and this video was to be premiered during the opening night of Terrifier 3, October 11th after the film. Fast forward to a month from the event, which is number one in theaters, kicking the Jokers ass!
Recapping this long but not long enough weekend – It not only met but beat any expectations that I personally had for a convention! From the celebrity guests and panels to an over-the-top crazy good concert. The vendors were incredible, and the cosplay was fantastic throughout the entire Con. Fans were committed! Everyone was great and friendly, and it was a place where everyone was part of a horror family full of INK Psychos.
The experience itself is well worth the trip from wherever you come. Whether living close by or flying in from another part of the country or even those that came from overseas. I highly recommend booking hotels or purchasing tickets for next year early, as they quickly sold out! This is one for the books, and I can’t wait for 2025 and what surprises are to take place then. So much more took place, but the best way to learn about it is to experience it yourself. So, for those who are Ice Nine Kills fans or horror fans, this event is for you, and it is a place for the whole family as you will leave with crazy great memories and new friends for life. Thank you to Silver Scream Con –Ice Nine Kills – Spencer Charnas – and countless more for making this a trip that will forever be engraved in our memories, as well as to all the Psychos that made this memorable.
SILVER SCREAM CON 3 VIDEO RECAP COMING SOON!
ICE NINE KILLS:
SILVER SCREAM CON:
IN THIS MOMENT:
AVATAR:
TX2:
FIRST JASON:
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