Bhajan Bhoy – Meditations (Cardinal Fuzz (UK) / Feeding Tube Records (USA) DL | Streaming Released 17 April 2026 Buy here Another healing release from Bhajan Bhoy: four deep cuts that travel far into the psychedelic hinterlands. A serene record for difficult times, and those in need of succour could do a lot worse than […]
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.
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.
SKYND – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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.
SKYND – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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.
SKYND – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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.
SKYND – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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.
SKYND – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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 – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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.
SKYND – Electric Ballroom, Camden – 11 April 2026. Photo: Gina Smith/MetalTalk
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.
German heavy metal veterans MOB RULES have announced ‘Stories From The Verdant Vale‘, set for release on August 21st via ROAR – a division of Reigning Phoenix Music. To mark the announcement, the band unveil the first single, ‘Master Of The Black Crow‘, a high-energy track that pulls no punches! Driven by a striking, Celtic-inspired […]
Well, it’s finally happening. More than 20 years after they first became eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Iron Maiden are to be inducted for the third time of asking.
The Heavy Metal behemoths who resume their Run For Your Lives World Tour next month in Athens have been nominated for the accolade twice before, in 2021 and 2023. Initially qualifying in 2005, their exclusion from the institution has been the subject of some controversy and a substantial amount of derision from fans, given that previous “non-rock” oriented inductees include Whitney Houston, Jay Z and Nina Simone.
Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has himself been highly critical of the Hall of Fame’s committee, saying, “It’s run by a bunch of sanctimonious Americans who wouldn’t know rock ‘n’ roll if it hit them in the face.” He also suggested they needed “to stop taking Prozac and start drinking beer.”
He followed up his comments in 2023 by telling the Telegraph, “I don’t want to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, because we’re not dead yet!”
Iron Maiden – Malahide Castle, Dublin – 25 June 2025. Photo: Steve Ritchie/MetalTalk
Addressing fans on their website, Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said, “We’d like to thank the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees.
“Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognised and honoured for any achievements within the music industry too!
“It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year as we continue our 50th anniversary celebrations with our Run For Your Lives World Tour visiting the Americas and beyond.
“We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now! See you all, somewhere on tour.”
Iron Maiden – Malahide Castle, Dublin – 25 June 2025. Photo: Steve Ritchie/MetalTalk
It was recently announced that Blaze Bayley would be included in Maiden’s list of nominees, which already featured Steve Harris, Bruce Dickinson, Janick Gers, Nicko McBrain, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Dennis Stratton and the late Clive Burr and Paul Di’Anno.
The induction ceremony will take place on 14 November, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, coinciding with the Australian and Japanese leg of the band’s tour.
With fans guessing over the weekend that Knebworth House was to be the location for the mystery Iron Maiden show on 11 July 2026, hotels
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With fans guessing over the weekend that Knebworth House was to be the location for the mystery Iron Maiden show on 11 July 2026, hotels were snapped up, and the rumours have now proved to be correct. Following in the footsteps of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Queen, Iron Maiden will join the historic roster that have played what Knebworth House custodian Henry Lytton Cobbold describes as The Greatest Rock Venue In The World.
“We knew that we had to bring the Run For Your Lives show back to the UK again next summer as there was such a phenomenal demand for tickets this year,” Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said. “But we wanted to do something a bit different, especially as it would be hard to top the show at London Stadium.”
Death metal band Suffocation have responded to former drummer Eric Morotti following his recent claims surrounding his departure. Morotti took a scorched-earth approach when announcing his exit from the group on Friday, April 10th, stating: Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
