NOVEMBER 15th, 2023
SKYND + guests
Review/Photos by: Polina Kulikovskikh
http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/skynd/

My initial encounter with SKYND took place approximately a year ago on YouTube. As a devotee of true crime documentaries, the title "Elisa Lam" immediately caught my attention, given my familiarity with this tragic case. The music proved to be infectious, featuring versatile vocals that leaned more towards industrial gothic than traditional metal. Intrigued, I delved deeper into the band's repertoire, discovering that each song was named after either a notorious criminal or a victim, and each accompanying video resembled a short film. The inclusion of Jonathan Davis of Korn on vocals for the track "Gary Heidnik" only added to the intrigue. Naturally, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to witness their live performance at Parkteatret in Oslo on this brisk evening.

The evening commenced with Knife Bride as the opening act. Hailing from the UK, this youthful band, self-described as Nu-Gothika with a prominent female presence, delivered an energetic performance. Despite their stark stylistic contrast to the headlining act, their metal-infused sound captivated the audience. Despite having only a handful of singles and one mini-album to their name, Knife Bride is rapidly gaining acclaim both locally and internationally.

What do we truly know about SKYND? A modest Wikipedia article reveals that the band hails from Australia and comprises a lead singer named Skynd and a multi-instrumentalist known as Father. However, the individuals behind the masks remain shrouded in mystery, prompting widespread speculation, particularly about the vocalist's identity. Despite their inception in 2017, the band has yet to release a full album, boasting instead 2 EPs and an impressive catalog of 14 singles, which form the basis of their current tour's setlist.

In a musical landscape saturated with various influences, SKYND stands out as a unique entity. While true crime references in songs are not uncommon, SKYND distinguishes itself by exclusively basing its lyrics on real-life criminal cases. Some critics argue that this approach risks "romanticizing" serial killers, but this perspective overlooks the fact that such romanticization began with American journalists who bestowed euphemistic nicknames upon these criminals. In a world inclined to turn away from unpleasant realities, SKYND serves as a reminder that the world is not solely composed of rainbows and unicorns. Additional information about each killer or victim referenced in their songs can be explored on the SKYND website.

Returning to the live performance, SKYND defies the notion that some bands require elaborate stage setups and extravagant effects to captivate an audience. With just three individuals on stage, minimal props, and no special effects, the band effortlessly maintains a captivating presence throughout their set. Notably, praise is due to SKYND as a vocalist—her professionalism and exceptional performance left me astounded, prompting further exploration of the band's other live shows, where her consistent excellence became evident. Next time the band plays near you - don't miss a chance to see them live!

SKYND setlist:

Richard Ramirez
Elisa Lam
Michelle Carter
Robert Hansen
Bianca Devins
Aileen Wuornos
Armin Meiwes
Jim Jones
John Wayne Gacy
Marshall Applewhite
Columbine
Edmund Kemper
Tyler Hadley
Gary Heidnik