Ice Nine Kills is teaming up with Art the Clown for Halloween Horror Nights 2026.
Universal Studios Hollywood has revealed that the horror-obsessed metal band will create new music for this year’s Terror Tram starring Art the Clown, an all-new experience that unleashes the Terrifier killer across Universal’s historic backlot.
And this time, Art is getting into the Christmas spirit.
The story behind the 2026 Terror Tram sees Art arriving on the Universal backlot carrying a blood-soaked bag of presents, only to discover that he’s a little early for Christmas. That apparently isn’t enough to stop him. Art hijacks the tram and transforms the backlot into his own twisted holiday celebration.
Ice Nine Kills will provide new music created specifically for the experience, putting a dark spin on classic Christmas songs as guests make their way through Art’s holiday nightmare.
The collaboration is a natural fit for Ice Nine Kills. Horror has become a defining part of the band’s identity, particularly through The Silver Scream and The Silver Scream 2: Welcome to Horrorwood, which transformed movies including Halloween, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Child’s Play and American Psycho into theatrical metal tracks.
Now the band’s horror obsession is moving from the stage to one of Halloween Horror Nights’ signature attractions.
Art the Clown Takes Over the Terror Tram
Unlike a traditional Halloween Horror Nights haunted house, the Terror Tram drops guests onto Universal Studios Hollywood’s backlot, where they leave the tram and make their way through a series of outdoor horror environments on foot.
For 2026, Art the Clown will be waiting for them.
Universal’s announcement promises Art’s trademark brand of bloody chaos throughout the experience, backed by Ice Nine Kills’ newly created music and warped versions of familiar Christmas songs.
Making things worse, getting back on the tram may not mean guests have escaped him.
Universal says Art will also lurk elsewhere throughout the theme park during Halloween Horror Nights, potentially appearing in unexpected locations after guests survive his backlot takeover.
Art the Clown has grown from the silent killer introduced in Damien Leone’s Terrifier films into one of modern horror’s most recognizable villains, making a full Terror Tram takeover a significant expansion of his presence at Halloween Horror Nights.
Pairing him with Ice Nine Kills also brings together two names that have built passionate audiences by embracing horror’s bloodier side.
Terror Tram starring Art the Clown debuts when Halloween Horror Nights 2026 begins at Universal Studios Hollywood on Thursday, September 3. The event runs on select nights through Sunday, November 1.
