Jinjer is a Metal quartet from Ukraine, and they lay out a sonic blitzkrieg musical attack, with generous helpings of melody on their debut New Zealand performance.
Established in 2008, they come from the Donetsk region in Eastern Ukraine, which is under Russian control since the start of the current war.
None of the four original members remain.
Tatiana Shmayluk is the charismatic female singer, and she has powerful Metal pipes with shredded vocal cords alongside a generous helping of melodic moments. Been there since 2009 so has been the long-serving voice of Jinjer.
Massive Metal machine music players have had higher turnover. Tonight, they present Roman Ibramkhalivov guitar, Eugene Abdukhanov five-string electric bass, and Vladislav Ulasevich drums.
The sense of anticipation is high on a Monday start to the working week. Close to capacity and Metalheads have turned out in force.
Christchurch’s Progressive Deathcore band Khadga is hit by a large Powerstation crowd, and they respond admirably to the challenge of their biggest show to date.
I presume their opening number is Ruin, their sole Spotify single released just last Friday!
Sustained voice-shredding throat-singing, with the drums powering through with breakneck speed. They have an electric cello player, who bows and strikes the strings equally.
If they slow the tempo they can sound like the Cure or New Order at times.
Some relentless Rock guitar solos and sometimes they are soothing in a Grateful Dead style.
Head-shaking lead vocalist instructs the crowd to fucking move as they warm to the big occasion.
Jinjer blasts off with Just Another and Sit, Stay, Roll Over. First is slow and heavy with old school Rock guitar licks. Second winds it up with screams and dominant rapid-fire drums.
Two cuts from second album King of Everything (2016). This was when the Ukraine army was fighting with local insurgents in the Donbass, with Russia giving support to the rebels.
The group directly addressed that conflict in their songs from the album. These are powerhouse incendiary live performances tonight and set the scene for what follows.
The bandmembers homes are here, an area with deep Russian roots. When the country was fully invaded in February 2022, they called for a hiatus to performing.
The Ukrainian Government granted them a dispensation to tour and help spread the message. Part of the ecstatic reception they receive tonight must be informed by this.
There is no overt political message from the stage. Tatiana speaks perfect cultured English with Baltic tones. Most of the lyrics also in English.
Half a dozen songs come from their latest release Duel, released less than a month ago.
Green Serpent is slow in tempo and has the heavy sludge of the Wax Chattels. Redeemed by a melodic finish.
Fast Draw the singer describes as hardcore and heavy, batters away without respite until the band slows down on the vamp.
Someone’s Daughter begins up in the clouds and atmospheric. Then explodes like a thunderclap with waves of percussion rolling through.
Frenetic energy with arms waving from the front of the auditorium. Not a flailing mosh pit, more a cathartic tension release. Rogues is battering and furious.
Perennial, from the Micro EP, plays with this push and pull dichotomy. Quiet melodic moments build to rousing crescendos. From the ashes of my roots/ The new me will live to rise again.
The Powerstation crowd has given Jinjer a huge affirmation, as they encore with Pisces. Ending the night with older Rock guitar riffs and quiet melodies to settle raw nerves.
Cannot ignore the unprecedented historic nature of the present time and Jinjer are reporting straight from the front lines.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photography by Mark Derricutt
Jinjer
Khadga
