Ice Nine Kills Accused of Using AI Art to Promote Memorial Day Merch Sale
Memorial Day weekend is often a time for rock and metal bands to roll out limited-time discounts on merch—and this year, horror-metalcore juggernauts Ice Nine Kills joined the tradition. But their latest promotion has sparked controversy, as fans are accusing the band of using AI-generated artwork to advertise the sale.
The Promo in Question
The uproar began when Ice Nine Kills shared a Memorial Day-themed image across their social media platforms, including Instagram Stories, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). The illustration shows horror icons Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees grilling together, accompanied by a “Chop Here” link to the band’s merch store, where fans can score up to 50% off select items.
What raised eyebrows? The image reportedly contained several telltale signs of AI-generated art: strange hand placements, distorted knives, and oddly rendered props. Metal Injection even tested the image with detection tools like WasItAI and HiveModeration, concluding that the artwork likely came from an AI engine. Fans were quick to notice, and soon after, Reddit lit up with a thread titled “Ice Nine Kills Using AI Generated Images to Promote a Merch Sale.”
Fan Reactions: Outrage, Speculation, and Shrugs
As expected, the community response has been mixed—but vocal. Some fans were infuriated at the possibility of a band known for its meticulous visuals and deep connection to horror culture turning to machine-generated art. One Redditor summed up the frustration:
“How do you expect me to support your art when you can’t even support other artists?”
Another user echoed the sentiment, saying:
“They’re just a merch machine and a business more than they are a band.”
Others, however, took a more measured view, suggesting that it might not be the band’s fault directly. Many pointed out that Ice Nine Kills’ drummer Mike Cortada—who joined in 2024 after the departure of Patrick Galante—is known to design the group’s merch. It’s possible, they argue, that the image was either created by Cortada using AI tools or sourced from elsewhere by the band’s team or management without full awareness of its origin.
One user wrote:
“The 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.”
Another added:
“It’s hard to care that much when it’s a one-off promo from a group of actual artists. No reason to crucify the band over a gag.”
No Response from the Band—Yet
At the time of writing, Ice Nine Kills has not issued a public statement addressing the AI accusations. The promo image remains active on their merch site, continuing to push the Memorial Day discounts amid growing debate.
This isn’t the first time a metal band has been embroiled in controversy over AI-generated visuals. Earlier this year, Dream Theater and their longtime collaborator Hugh Syme were accused of using AI art for the Parasomnia single. Similarly, Killswitch Engage faced speculation surrounding the artwork for their 2025 release This Consequence—a claim that bassist Mike D’Antonio strongly denied.
Even artists like Brittney Slayes of Unleash the Archers have weighed in on the issue. In a 2024 interview with Loudwire, she acknowledged the growing presence of AI in the music industry but emphasized the importance of human creativity, noting:
“Why not just hire an artist with a style you like?”
So, Was It AI? And Does It Matter?
In the end, the question isn’t just whether Ice Nine Kills used AI—it’s about transparency and artistic integrity. Fans have long admired INK for their theatrical flair, horror fandom, and elaborate aesthetics. For some, even a minor AI-generated image feels out of step with that ethos.
Still, others argue that the image was just a lighthearted, throwaway gag for a seasonal sale—not something worth canceling a band over.
What Else Is Ice Nine Kills Up To?
Outside of the AI buzz, Ice Nine Kills has kept busy in 2024 and 2025. Earlier this year, they dropped a Terrifier-themed video for their single “A Work of Art,” which also appeared on the Terrifier 3 soundtrack. In January, they released a “Heed the Call for California” t-shirt to support wildfire relief efforts across the state.
Looking ahead, they’re set to perform at the Washington, D.C. stop of this year’s Warped Tour (June 14–15), so fans will have a chance to catch them live very soon.
What Do You Think?
Do you think Ice Nine Kills crossed a line by using (or allowing the use of) AI-generated artwork in their merch promo? Or is this just a harmless, tongue-in-cheek marketing move? Let us know in the comments—or sound off in the discussion thread linked below.