LIVE REVIEW: TheBoyShadow @ Camden Assembly, London, UK - 06/04/2026
It takes a lot of guts to step away from the limelight of one of the biggest rising bands of the 2020’s, but it takes even more guts to start a new band from scratch, not knowing what people will think of it. That thought alone is scary but also an exciting new step for Connor Sweeney (Ex Guitarist of Loathe) and his new band TheBoyShadow.
Loathe were on an incredible rise within the metal industry, with supporting bands such as Stray From The Path, The Devil Wears Prada, even performing at Download Pilot in 2021. Connor’s last performance with the band was at the iconic Underworld in Camden Town whilst supporting While She Sleeps.
TheBoyShadow was unveiled 15th January with mysterious, cryptic and dark messages. Possibly hinting at the frustration of Connors’ internal conflict and fans’ anticipation of his next project. This was followed by an announcement of a live performance a couple of days later, with the support of Held Under and Loveletter at Camden Assembly on 6th April 2026.
“Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Hurting. Hurting. Hurting. Life feels like one big waiting room”
Shortly after, on 4th April the band dropped the long awaited debut single, Give Me A Seam & I’ll Show You The Meaning. If you know anything about Connor or his previous material, unpredictability is a key aspect of his style of music. Piercing Thall guitar driven noise, intense atmospheric drumming, and a surprisingly versatile sound. Tech savvy admirers would notice the heavy emphasis of Spline Laboratories Cathedral pedal as well as Drop Z guitar playing, but to see him take the helm as the lead vocalist, producing a thoroughly varied and holistic sound, is a step in a different direction.
Held Under were first on stage. A Thrown meets more progressive riffage kind of band. They set the tone for what the show had in store, delivering a groove orientated performance, with hard edge but crunchy guitar playing, low guttural vocals, and an in your face attitude. 30 minutes to get the audience warmed up for the night and they definitely delivered.
Loveletter followed, enthusing the audience with crowd killing intentions. Featuring more depth and hardcore elements as they fed off the spectators engagement with each heavy breakdown and the singers energetic display of violent voraciousness. Their message was to showcase an aggressive nature and attitude similar to 156/ Silence and Kublai Khan. If you love Hardcore, you will love this band, perfect energy for Outbreak Festival.
Finally, TheBoyShadow entered the stage. There were a few noticeable features to their performance: Two sets of projectors displaying visualisers for each song they had on their setlist. A mixture of psychedelic images, scenes from the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and Ergo Proxy and unreleased footage of the next music videos possibly?
The attire of the band members: Connor rocking his threads whilst the rest of the band members, called “Inga” and “En”, wore somewhat similar clothing, whilst retaining a dark, albeit odd, mysterious Yin and Yang identity. Not to mention their drummer, known as “The Shells Face”, performing with a mask and hood. Now, here is the real kicker of the performance, three vocalists, and one drummer! This confused but intrigued the audience, as guitars and bass were on the backing track.
So, how was their debut show? Mesmerising, energetic, filthy, groovy, intense, atmospheric, pure chaos!
TheBoyShadow pulled off a very unique act. It was bold, it was experimental, which may not be for some people, but something that will definitely get people talking. They encapsulate a wall of jarring, over the top melodic noise, that is both destructive and jaw dropping to witness. The vocals were unexpected, screaming, alien like vocoders, with clean harmonies between the three singers. Connor proved he had upped his game, already having experience with screaming but you could tell he had taken the time to deliver vocal lines to the best of his ability. Both Inga and En gave off an incredible support in backing vocals, even taking a few lead lines here and there. They did not interact with the crowd directly, but the projectors were their way of communicating, with distorted and alluring cinematic visuals and an obscure voice addressing to the audience the next title of the tracks. Their movement on stage was filled with ruthless aggression and bouncing energy from the first to the last song. Though staying In their designated spots, they made it their mission to give it their all and they delivered with every scream and harmonic vocal line, especially when in unison with each other.
Whoever the drummer is I fear, and hope, is a worthy competitor to II, drummer of Sleep Token. Phenomenal playing on their part, and insanely tight. So much emphasis when hitting every cymbal, tom, snare and playing the groove of each track with such ease and versatility. The kind of snare hitting that would give you a punch in the face and you would thank them for it. A genuine monster behind the kit!
The crowd were eating up everything they could get from this. Every crushing breakdown, destructive riff, intense screaming, and explosive hit on the kit, made the audience go full crowd killer mode. Nobody stopped moving and nobody was safe!
This is definitely a musicians band, and how they will appear to a wider audience when performing with PRESIDENT on their upcoming UK tour will have a few heads turning. That being said, it makes complete sense why they are on this tour and they deserve the recognition that is coming their way.
Will they play with live guitar and bass for future shows? From the looks of things, how they present themselves on stage and in the music video for the first single, it appears it will stay as 3 vocalists and 1 drummer, but don’t let that dissuade you, as the music itself and the band give off a very unique presentation.
For those that have got a ticket for the PRESIDENT shows in the UK later this month, do not miss TheBoyshadow! You will be pleasantly surprised and intrigued.
