The Horror Returns to the DCU Center with the Silver Scream Con in Worcester! 5 stars!
For some fall brings colorful foliage and pumpkin spice lattes along with hooded sweatshirts for cooler nights. For many, it brings horror season as it signals that Halloween approaches. The Silver Scream Con launches the spooky times off with a bang as it brings the monsters and music that fans truly adore.
All this is put on by Ice 9 Kills, the horror rock band from Boston. Much of their music is horror themed with videos emulating images from such horror movies as Silence of the Lambs, My Bloody Valentine and Friday the 13th among many others. Ice 9 recently covered Walking on Sunshine set to an American Psycho inspired music video. With such chops among horror fans, it is a no brainer that this band would resurrect the music and macabre combo in Worcester and bring the horror and the holla back from the dead to kick off the Halloween season.
Silver Scream delivers the fan experience New Englanders have been craving ever since Rock and Shock closed after nearly two decades of being the largest horror convention in the state. There are celebrities for autographs, vendors selling memorabilia, set pieces for photo opportunities, panel discussions and much more.
Among the celebrities we could see were David Arquette best know as the bumbling police officer in the Scream series and a former WCW world Champion. Massachusetts Native Eli Roth returned home to meet and greet the fans of his many movies including Hostel, Thanksgiving and Inglorious Basterds. Danielle Harris and Scout Taylor Compton of the Halloween series were on hand to meet folks and talk up their new Podcast – Talk Scary to Me. Bill Mosley – known for his over-the-top characters in Texas Chainsaw Massacre and House of 1000s corpses and its sequels was there as well. Many of the celebrities participated in the discussion panels and talked up their past experiences in movies as well as hyped up new projects that they are launching.
A unique attraction to the convention floor was a section that mimicked famous horror scenes from well known movies. You could stand on the porch of the haunted home from the original Nightmare on Elm Street. And you can kill your best friend with an axe in a mockup of the living room from American Psycho.
The vendor floor did not disappoint. Should you want horror posters, T-shirts, action figures and a whole myriad of memorabilia, you can find something to satisfy your horror eye. Rare merchandise and obscure movies on DVD and VHS tapes can be poured over. Custom art is everywhere. Comics, authors and many more provide those who love to read horror as well. The New England Horror Writers represented a whole host of folks who published books. Rachel Martens boasted about her best selling Poe thriller! Rough House Publishing, long standing staples of the local horror cons returned with new merchandise, comics and deluxe books.
One of the most unique vendors was Demented FX who had immersive characters representing their nearby haunted attraction. There at the con, they had a min haunted house experience that promised five minutes of terror. They required you to sign a waiver to participate so one should only try this one out if you are among the brave and well insured!
It was no surprise Mistress Carrie had a presence here. Best known as a DJ on WAAF, she has recently moved onto the more modern realm of podcasting. She was known as a promoter of hard rock, heavy metal and all things dark and scary. As a native to the area, Mistress Carrie was a perfect fit for the blend of music and horror.
Music is of course a major aspect. Ice Nine Kills plays a show at the nearby outdoor Palladium venue. Along with them is the band First Jason fronted by Ari Lehman – the first actor to play Jason Vorhees in the very first Friday the 13th movie. Avatar and TX2 round out the music concert as well.
Silver Scream has become the new kickoff to the Halloween season for many horror fans. After only three years, the con outgrew it’s earlier location and migrated to the bigger DCU center in Worcester. With large crowds, lots of fanfare and a live concert, this convention will live on into the future. Rock and Shock may be gone but Silver Scream has quickly overshadowed its predecessor.
For more information visit www.silverscreamcon.com
Check out our video review https://youtu.be/DprIU-XFw88