Photos and writing by Dillon Reesor
Jinjer’s North American headlining tour made a memorable stop in Charlotte, NC, on October 1st, turning The Fillmore into a haven for metalheads. The bill was rounded out by Hanabie. and Born of Osiris providing support.
Born of Osiris
The Illinois-based progressive metalcore veterans kicked off the night with a powerful set. While the crowd was initially slow to engage, the band’s signature blend of soaring melodies and bone-crushing breakdowns brought everyone to life. Tracks like “Empires Erased” and “Angel or Alien” were clear highlights, and they wrapped up their performance with a strong finish on “Machine.” Providing a counterpoint to the band’s strong showing, I personally had a rocky start for this show. Traffic on the interstate left me getting into the venue as the opening song ended, and the autofocus on the camera was being particularly obnoxious throughout the set. But “so we beat on, boats against the current…”, and regardless of any issues on my end, Born of Osiris put on a killer show. Moshes were moshed, crowds were surfed, and the audience was buzzing with energy as the band wrapped up.
Hanabie.
Next up was Hanabie., a Japanese metal act known for their unique “Harajuku-core” sound. Their fusion of kawaii aesthetics with hard-hitting metal was unlike anything else on the bill, and the energy they brought was off the charts. The band, led by an impressive pair of vocal performances, had the audience fully engaged. The juxtaposition between the onstage imagery and the grown men absolutely throwing down in the pit is one of the best things I’ve seen at any show. While I may never totally understand the appeal of the kawaii metal movement, Hanabie.’s performance was an absolute blast. Their tight musicianship and larger-than-life stage presence set a high bar for the headliners.
Jinjer
By the time Jinjer took the stage, the room was buzzing with anticipation. The Ukrainian metalcore heavyweights did not disappoint. From the opening notes of “Just Another,” the band was in full command of the stage, with Tatiana Shmayluk’s powerful singing and monstrous growls leading the charge. Jinjer’s musicianship is top-tier, and the combination of their intricate rhythms and Shmayluk’s dynamic vocal range brought an intensity that filled every corner of the venue. The crowd fed off the energy pouring from the stage, and tracks like “Perennial” and “Pit of Consciousness” sent everyone into a frenzy.
This was my first time seeing Jinjer, and I can confidently say that the band exceeded the hype. Their set was both crushing and emotional, with a perfect mix of familiar favorites and new material. They closed out with an encore performance of “Vortex,” leaving the audience on a high note.
Overall, the night was a fantastic mix of styles and energy, showcasing the diversity in the modern metal scene. Born of Osiris set the foundation, Hanabie. brought a refreshing and wild twist, and Jinjer delivered the night’s knockout punch. The tour continues across North America for a few more days before Jinjer heads back to Europe, so if you have the chance to catch a show, don’t miss out! Check the remaining dates here!
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