JINJER

It’s been a lean summer for medium‑to‑large metal shows in Vancouver, but the Commodore Ballroom finally delivered a night of ear buzz and sore necks. One of Ukraine’s most prominent metal exports returned to North America on a massive tour supporting their February 2025 album Duél, and Vancouver was one of the few stops west of Toronto. The band has become a near‑constant presence here — five visits since 2021 — and tonight’s near‑sold‑out crowd made it clear they still draw.  Support came from Japan’s Crystal Lake as well as Entheos based out of California.

The quartet — Tatiana Shmayluk (vocals), Roman Ibramkhalilov (guitar), Eugene Abdukhanov (bass), and Vladislav Ulasevich (drums) — sounded like a well‑oiled machine from the first note. They opened with the title track from Duél, a fast, uncompromising rager that set the tone for a tight, high‑energy set. Musically the band was flawless: Roman, Eugene, and Vladi delivered technically demanding parts with precision, and Vladi’s drumming kept everything locked in. Even when Tatiana kept a guarded distance from the crowd and photographers, her voice remained powerful and devastating throughout.

Tatiana’s stage persona tonight was all business — she entered last, rarely smiled, and often avoided direct engagement with the cameras. That distance limited photo opportunities, but it didn’t diminish the performance. Her vocals carried the emotional weight of the songs, and the band let the music do the talking. The rest of the lineup maintained a focused intensity, proving once again that their live chemistry is a major part of the show’s appeal.

The band played 16 songs, with eight tracks from the new album Duél, a fair representation that showcased the record’s strengths. Older staples like “I Speak Astronomy,” “Vortex,” “Teacher, Teacher!,” “Pisces,” and the crowd favorite “Sit Stay Roll Over” still ignited the pit and reminded fans why they keep coming back. The balance between new material and classics kept the set dynamic and satisfying for long‑time followers and newcomers alike.

Despite the band’s consistent performance, audience connection felt uneven at times, largely due to Tatiana’s reserved stage manner. Still, the near‑sold‑out house reacted enthusiastically to the heavier, more anthemic moments, and the mosh pit did its job when the familiar tracks hit. The show felt like the reliable, high‑quality experience fans expect — perhaps a touch predictable for those who’ve seen the band repeatedly, but still effective and entertaining.

This was a technically superb, hard‑hitting night of metal that delivered exactly what the crowd wanted: tight musicianship, brutal vocals, and plenty of intensity. The band’s relentless touring and consistent set formula may leave some long‑time attendees wondering if the show is becoming routine, but for most in the room the performance was more than enough. If you’re a fan of the band, tonight was confirmation that they remain a force live — whether they’ll return next year is anyone’s guess, but the audience left satisfied and loud.