Jinjer and Kittie – Fortitude Music Hall Brisbane [Live review]

Review: Kerrie Maynard

There are a plethora of massive tours passing through Australia right now. Tonight brings us one of the most anticipated shows of them all, one that has had everyone excited for a long time now. I’m talking of course about the mighty Ukranian quartet, Jinjer. Having been here only a short couple of years ago playing Australia Good Things festival, they’re back again with their own headline show at the Fortitude Music Hall. With the line quite literally around the block, you gotta know you’re in for a good time.

These days, so many concerts are putting together bills that are stacked with four, five, even sometimes six bands. And sure, you’re getting your value for money, I ain’t complaining. But tonight, there’s only one support. Canadian outfit Kittie more than make up for the lack of supports.

As a band that hit the spotlight in the late 90’s, I spent my teenage years immersed in everything this band did. And I was not alone. (I’m clearly still not alone judging by last night’s crowd). In a time when black metal and death metal were taking over the world, with movies like The Craft and Ginger Snaps, Kittie slipped into the scene at just the right time. They proved to the world what a female heavy metal band was capable of and as a girl in her mid-teens just reaching the formative years that would shape my taste in music for the next 20 plus years, these four girls showed me everything I needed in my life.

As the four ladies walked on stage, the already packed out Forty went into a frenzy. The crowd had missed them, and you could tell by the smiles on their faces, Kittie felt the same towards Australia. As the crowd continues to roar, vocalist Morgan Lander begins Fire, the opening track of the latest album by the same name. A complete destruction of heavy and brutality, the girls show they still have it. Morgans vocals have only evolved over the past 25 years, paired with guitarist Tara Mcleods clean backing vocals, this track is the perfect embodiment of Kittie.

The set is jam packed; there’s barely a moment to breathe between songs. Morgan makes it clear that they will fit in as much as they can in their return to Australia. I’ve Failed You follows second, seamlessly followed by Cutthroat. As the crowd watches on, the girls prove why their longevity is so intense.

Their stage presence is nothing short of incredible, their crowd interaction is perfect, and the energy is next level. They fly through a set that covers every album in their catalogue, finishing up with Brackish and We Are the Lamb. The response as they close out their set with a big rock ending is massive. The moment the band is done the crowd shows every bit of love they can. It’s been 13 years since they last toured here, I can’t imagine they will wait that long again.

The stage is cleared, leaving only a riser up front and the unmistakable drumkit of Vladi Ulasevich sitting high at the back. We’re soon graced with the presence of 3 out of 4 members as they kick into the big intro of Just Another from the 2016 album King of Everything. Just in time to do her part, vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk struts her way on stage and jumps straight to the riser and belting right into the vocals. Showing why she is so admired and idolised amongst the metal world right now, Tatis mesmerising fluid like stage presence matched with the most effortless roars you’ve seen come from any vocalist let alone a female vocalist, is something to stand in awe over.

Sticking to the same album, they crack straight into Sit Stay Roll Over. In the same way Kittie treated their set, Jinjer do exactly the same. Smashing through an incredible 16 tracks in just over an hour. A few short moments between some tracks, Tati takes a few seconds to thank the crowd, but other than that, they are giving the crowd everything they have, and they are not holding back.

The sound production tonight is something to be admired. You don’t have to be a musician or a sound tech to appreciate just how incredibly tuned in their sound has become over the years. Some people may not understand just how hard it is to perfectly blend a clarity driven bass tone like Eugene’s with Vladis drums. And then to not overshadow either with Tatis vocals or guitarist Romans chunky guitar riffs, it’s an art form in of itself.

Third track of the night we get our first live taste in Australia of the new album Duel with heavy hitting Fast Draw. As Tati screams the words “draw your weapon” holding her hand up like a gun to the air, this track is an absolute ball tearing hardcore driven track, it’s 3 minutes of destructive energy. The set goes on to include a perfect blend of old and new, making sure to fit in 6 tracks from their latest album.

After a smasher of a set, we reach the end of the show. Closing out with Rogue, then an epic encore with crowd favourite Pisces to finish up the show, tonight was nothing short of mind blowing, tonight was truly something else. As Tati stands on the stage making a love heart with her hands to the crowd, the band show their respect to the crowd and the crowd does the same for them.

This was two immensely loved bands both bringing an energy unmatched by many. Everyone at the Fortitude Music Hall is walking away from the first show of the Australian tour with grins plastered across their faces. Kittie will be back, at least we can only hope. Jinjer will most certainly be back. Whether it be together, whether it be their own shows or if it’s at a music festival, you can damn well be sure I along with many others, will be there to see what we witnessed tonight again.

Tickets and info at
livenation.com.au