A typical night on The Danforth for many, but a night of otherworldly metal for others. Iconic Toronto landmark The Danforth Music Hall served as the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable night of crowd surfing and moshing as Jinjer performed their Toronto show on the closing leg of The North American 2024 Tour.
Admittedly, for this writer, this show was beyond sentimental. Just last year I had the amazing opportunity to see Jinjer perform at the Rapids Theater in Niagara Falls, New York, and just over a month later, again at The Phoenix Concert Hall in Toronto, Ontario. They played 2 different sets at both shows, so I had no idea what to expect for this round. I was lucky enough to attend these prior concerts with my dad – a major Jinjer fan. Unfortunately, he was unable to make it this time round, but he would have been blown away by the performance.
Opening the night, Born of Osiris filled the stage. This band from Chicago, Illinois delivered an electrifying performance giving the audience a blend of progressive metal and intricate instrumentation. Igniting the crowd with tracks from their latest album and some other fan favorites, BOS left us here in Toronto awaiting their return.
With the commanding presence of front man Ronnie Canizaro and the effortless dynamic energy on stage between follow band members Nick Rossi, Lee McKinney and Cameron Losch, the entire band performed what I can only describe as a mesmerizing showcase between evident musical chemistry and insane instrumental breakdowns. The connection between Born of Osiris and their fans was infectious, creating an unforgettable experience.
Don’t be fooled by the bubblegum pink hair, sparkling tutus and neon platform shoes. These Tokyo girls came to Toronto to leave a lasting impression, and that they did. Showcasing their unique blend of metalcore and melodic verses, as well as their eyepopping style, all tied in with Yukina’s charismatic stage presence, Hanabie. did not disappoint.
Watching the crowd was almost as entertaining as watching the stage. The setlist was featuring a mix of tracks from their latest album, as well as fan favorites that had the entire crowd headbanging and singing along – new and old fans. The intricate guitar and bass work by Matsuri and Hettsu, forceful and heart arithmetic inducing drums by Chika while the melodic interludes provided by Yukina, tied their performance together in a perfect, sparkly, metalcore bow.
The moment we’ve been waiting for. The Ukranian metal band making waves in the metal scene with each release of their newest song took the stage – JINJER.
Tatiana Shmayluk’s powerhouse miraculous vocal range seamlessly transitioning from guttural growls to soaring clean notes was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Fluctuating between aggressive intensity and haunting melodies, this performance was yet another testament to her skills. The unstoppable dynamic rhythm section from bassist Eugene Abdukhanov and drummer Vladislav Ulasevich, alongside the distinguishing intricate riffs by Guitarist Roman Ibramigo complimented Tatiana’s vocals perfectly.
Playing fan favorites including “Ape”, “Sit, Stay, Roll Over”, “Rogue”, “Retrospect” and my all time favourite “Perennial”, continuing into their newer released song ” Someone’s Daughter” and perfectly curated encore song of “Vortex”, it’s no surprise Jinjer’s Toronto show brought copious amounts of crowd surfers. Thrashing around and headbanging were of course mandatory.
Jinjer’s performance was not just a concert; it was an experience. Tatiana Shmayluk continues to show she is a true force of nature, and reminding everyone why she is one of the most respected vocalists in metal today.
Photographer: Jeff Hurd
