APRIL 20th 2026
SKYND

 Review & Photos By: Polina Kulikovskikh
Full Gallery:
http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/skynd/

It is becoming increasingly difficult to discover truly unique bands these days, when it often feels like every musical idea has already been explored and every genre thoroughly dissected. Yet every now and then I stumble upon something that feels genuinely fresh and original, and SKYND was exactly that kind of discovery for me a few years ago.

As an avid consumer of true crime documentaries, I was immediately intrigued by the concept of combining true crime storytelling with industrial rock and electronic music. It sounded unusual, bold, and perhaps a little controversial, but after hearing a few songs I quickly became hooked. Before this concert at Vulkan Arena, I had already seen SKYND perform twice in Oslo, and both shows were absolutely phenomenal. Fortunately, this evening proved to be no exception.

For those unfamiliar with the project, SKYND is an Australian industrial rock and electronic music act formed by vocalist SKYND and producer/multi-instrumentalist Father. Their music revolves around dark true-crime themes, with songs inspired by real-life criminal cases, mysterious deaths, cult tragedies, and serial killers. While the subject matter is undeniably grim, the project approaches it through a unique blend of haunting melodies, aggressive electronics, and theatrical performances.

Not many bands today can captivate an audience without the support of an opening act, nor can they get away with such a minimalistic approach to stage design. In SKYND's case, however, less truly is more. The sparse stage setup only serves to focus attention where it belongs. SKYND's commanding stage presence, charismatic performance, and remarkable vocal range ensure that every pair of eyes remains fixed on the stage from beginning to end.

The setlist was impressively long, featuring 19 songs divided into three distinct parts. I am not entirely sure what logic was used to group them, but I have no doubt there was a deliberate concept behind it. The first section included “Michelle Carter,” “Elisa Lam,” “Tamara Samsonova,” “Andrei Chikatilo,” “Armin Meiwes,” and “John Wayne Gacy.” The second part consisted of “Edmund Kemper,” “Richard Ramirez,” “Robert Hansen,” “Bianca Devins,” “Jimmy Savile,” “Mary Bell,” and “Aileen Wuornos.” The final section featured “Columbine,” “Heaven's Gate,” “Jim Jones,” “Gary Heidnik,” “Tyler Hadley,” and “Mikhail Popkov.”

The latter was particularly special, as it was a brand-new song that the audience had the privilege of hearing live before its official release. Moments like these always add an extra layer of excitement to a concert, and judging by the crowd's reaction, everyone appreciated being among the first to experience it.

By the end of the night, SKYND once again proved why they remain one of the most distinctive and fascinating acts in modern industrial music. Their ability to merge dark storytelling, powerful performances, and memorable songwriting into a cohesive live experience is something few bands can match.