A night at Woods of Terror isn’t just about what you see. It’s about what you hear, the screams, sound effects, music coming from somewhere in the darkness, and laughter from your friends after a scare. Right in the middle of it all is the unmistakable sound of live music from Crypt Kicker, the house band of Woods of Terror.
Crypt Kicker was formed in 2023 specifically for Woods of Terror, making 2026 their third year performing in the Woods. What started as a band created for the haunt has become an important part of the experience, bringing live rock music to the midway and giving guests another reason to stop, listen and become part of the show.
The current lineup features DeadLee on vocals, Izzy Grimm on bass, MonStar on guitar and Oracle on drums. Together, they bring a live energy that fits right at home in the world of Woods of Terror.
One of the band’s favorite songs to perform is their version of “Zombie” by The Cranberries, which is featured on the 2026 Woods of Terror album. It’s a song many people already know, but hearing it performed live in the middle of a night at Woods of Terror gives it a completely different energy.
For Crypt Kicker, one of the best parts is hearing the crowd sing the choruses back to them as loudly as they can. You’re standing under the lights, surrounded by the sounds and energy of Woods of Terror, and suddenly hundreds of voices are joining in.
The audience isn’t just watching the performance anymore. They’re part of it.
That’s what makes live music such a natural fit for a haunted attraction. A recording can set the mood, but a live band can react to the crowd and feed off its energy. Every performance has the potential to feel a little different because every audience is different.
For Crypt Kicker, being part of Woods of Terror is about more than simply playing a set and calling it a night. The band describes the performance, the atmosphere and the sense of family within Woods of Terror as some of their favorite parts of being involved.
After three seasons, they’ve become part of a much larger community of performers, actors, crew members and fans who help make the Woods what it is every Halloween season.
That family feeling is something you can see throughout the haunt. Woods of Terror is home to performers from all kinds of backgrounds, each bringing their own talents to the experience. Some create scares. Some create characters. Some build the environments. Others work behind the scenes to make the night happen.
And some bring the soundtrack.
Crypt Kicker has carved out its own place in that family by making live music part of the Woods of Terror experience. Their performances give guests a chance to stop for a few minutes, sing along, watch the band work and enjoy a different kind of Halloween entertainment before heading back into the attractions.
For a haunt celebrating its 35th Year of Terror, having a house band created specifically for Woods of Terror is pretty fitting.
Three years into their story, Crypt Kicker has already become part of the soundtrack of the Woods. If you’ve ever stood in the crowd while the band is playing “Zombie” and heard everyone around you singing the chorus at full volume, you understand exactly why they love being there.
It’s not just a concert, and it’s not just another stop during a night at the haunt. It’s one of those moments when the performers and the crowd become part of the same experience.
So the next time you’re at Woods of Terror and hear live music coming from the midway, stop for a while. Listen to DeadLee, Izzy Grimm, MonStar and Oracle. Sing along. And if you hear “Zombie,” don’t hold back.
Crypt Kicker is proud to be part of the Woods of Terror team, and after three years, they’re still doing what they were created to do: bringing the music, the energy and the rock ‘n’ roll to the Woods.
