The SKYND concert at London’s Electric Ballroom has proved, beyond any doubt, that there is much more to this act than just a weird concept of serial killer stories put to music.
Fact: Concepts sell tickets. And if it is the Eurovision you are going for, a concept, or even a gimmick, is perfectly fine. But what SKYND does is much more than just a concept. This is a look into the “dark shadows of an evil mind”, packaged with intriguing visuals and, first and foremost, very interesting music.
SKYND
Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026
Words: Bogdan Bele
Photography: Gina Smith
This would be a good time to bring you up to date, if you are not in the know when it comes to SKYND’s “true crime music”, as they call it. Every show is an investigation (or a series of investigations, if you prefer). Every song is about a serial killer case, and most of them also come with assorted videos and imagery.
There is no glorifying, as one would be tempted to think. There is deep analysis, though, and getting behind what led to people acting in such atrocious ways. Or taking a look into those minds, if you will.
The music is made by the eponymous SKYND, lead singer extraordinaire, joined by multi-instrumentalist Father on various instruments and production duties. Their output could be called dark electronic/industrial, with some Metal thrown in there for good measure.
Despite the subject matter, the music is more accessible than one would imagine. You could even call some of the tracks incredibly catchy, with a pop feel (in the best possible way).
Live, we are talking about that same frontwoman on pretty much all of the voices, with Father taking up bass duties, joined by an additional musician on drums. Of course, a lot of makeup is used to conceal identities.
And that brings us to tonight’s show. There seems to be something getting in the way of my seeing SKYND live. I missed them at Hellfest several years ago (my fault, early morning, etcetera). However, because I really liked the music, SKYND was supposed to be the first show I would cover for MetalTalk.
Except they had the dates for the previous year listed on the website (which led to a bit of confusion, more etcetera). Was I very determined this time around? Damn right I was. However, Great British Railway’s signalling issue that cancelled all trains on my route was very close to not letting this happen. I went to a different station, on a different line, and made it despite that.
Now, the question was whether it would be worth the effort. As I realised one or two songs in, it absolutely was. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
I made it to London’s Electric Ballroom in Camden late. But not late enough to miss the start of tonight’s hostilities. There is no opening act, so I get some leeway (in your face, train!).
I look around me and cannot help but notice the diverse age ranges. It seems that true crime music has no age, not when it comes to its following.
The stage is bathed in blue light and, after a short intro, SKYND gets on stage and goes straight into Michelle Carter, with its poignant “I love you. Now die!” chorus. This is mesmerising stuff, despite the sound not being perfect at the beginning, but it improves quickly. Even like that, the combination of very well done lighting (lots of strobe) and absolutely fantastic voice makes for a poignant start.
As we get to Elisa Lam, about a mysterious death at a hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, you cannot help but be amazed at how SKYND simply inhabits every character, not only in voice, but in facial expressions and movement.
A lot of vocal effects are used to convey the story, and whoever triggers them (their sound man, I would assume), most certainly is not in a dull line of work.
The new series about Russian and Soviet evil, for lack of better wording, makes its way into the show, with Tamara Samsonova and Andrei Chikatilo played in quick-fire succession. The Russian traditional theme that starts the former works great, and if you dare, I urge you to check out the two real stories that these are based on.
They go through most of their monster collection, with SKYND simply dominating the stage and drawing you into the story, from gesturing during the newsreel-like intros, and then stepping into each character’s mind.
The stage movement is adapted to each character, like using a cane in John Wayne Gacy’s case or seeming to be in the middle of automatic weapons fire during Columbine. The song ends, and this somewhat shy and very feminine voice thanks the audience. I can not imagine what it must mean for someone’s mind to do this every night.
The whole thing has a specific unity to it. It is a very well-built show, despite not having screens or pyro. Just great stage presence and very well-designed lights. And, while it is difficult not to focus on the main point of the show, which is SKYND herself, the instrumental parts are very well-executed, the two masked men providing a very apt backdrop for the stories.
SKYND treats us to two new unreleased pieces. The first one of these, Jimmy Saville, with the lyrics “Let me touch you/’cause I’m untouchable,” makes you seriously think about the monsters sometimes hiding not in plain sight, but in the limelight.
The second new track arrives at the end of the show, but until then, there are several other highlights, in the likes of Mary Bell and my personal favourite SKYND song, Aileen Wuornos.
We are taken through a range of emotions and characters, from suicide cults – Jim Jones or Heaven’s Gate to the “dark shadows of an evil mind” – Gary Heidnik, an earlier track with a studio version featuring Korn’s Jonathan Davis.
The second new track I was mentioning earlier comes toward the end of the set. It is Mikhail Popkov, presumably the closer of the recent Russian series. It actually has a somewhat techno feel to it, and it is catchy and aggressive at the same time.
I look around me, and I see how some of the audience are more than fascinated by the songs. They dance, or at least move to the music, and they are so in the moment that it is incredible to watch. This is obviously more than just another Saturday evening in Camden.
Is SKYND for everyone? Most certainly not. It takes a certain curiosity.
Some might not want to wander into those places. However, if you do, the journey will certainly be interesting.
