I started off this show thinking only two bands were playing, obviously Cradle of Filth but also Uncured to open. To my amazement when I came in early they were already on stage warming the crowd up and doing it fast. This 4-piece progressive death metal band out of NYC was very technical and on point, with monster riffs and very melodic choruses these guys were the perfect band to get things started. Brothers Zak and Rex Cox formed the band in 2016 and since then they have been out on the road supporting bands like DevilDriver, Children of Bodom, 36 CrazyFists and Soulfly. We will be hearing a lot from these young guys for a while.
So, hearing that another band was added to the tour we were all ecstatic to have Ukraine’s own Jinjer taking over the stage next and wow were they ever pumped to be there. This is their first ever US full tour supporting both Soulfly and Cradle of Filth. Starting out east and moving west like the rolling thunder they are on a mission to let everyone know who they are and how heavy they rock. This group knows how to bring it as well, with hints of Metalcore and Nu Metal these guys play with the technical tenacity of a Cobra striking in on its pray. Lead vocalist Tatiana Shmailyuk is a straight up stunner with the mic. Her growling presence and power are mighty but when she flicks that switch and goes into more traditional in singing style she has a hint of a Gwen Stefani’s tougher little sister in her. I don’t know how she does it all as she’s leaping and moving around the stage like a ferocious lioness. With Eugene Abdiukhanov on bass and leading that fat sonic boom that runs through them and a bit of a jazz feel to it as Vlad Ulasevich lays down a backbeat that has everyone raging. With his machine gun in hand Roman Ibramkhalilov went into combat mode as he laid out a full assault on the crowd with his precise finger work and power riffs. These guys blew me away, fierce, fast and hungry. For me they stole the show, can’t wait to see them again.
With the crowed more than warmed up, Cradle of Filth hit the stage. British Metal Band starting in 1991 and most recognisable for their frontman and founding member Dani Filth. With the stage, already on fire and continued to burn as they ripped into their set with absolute purpose. Like fire and brim stone they brought it to Detroit and to all their fans gathered at the Legendary St. Andrews Hall. Fans from all ages showed up for this packed bill. Dani Filth and his gang of cohorts start ripping up the show with Glided Cunts to a very happy crowd, once this song started so did the moshing and super-fast passed head banging.
Blasting through “Beneath the Howling Stars”, “Blackest Magick in Practice”, and “Heartbreak and Séance” looked as if Dani was still trying to get his ears right as he kept coming off stage when he could to clear up sound issues. Once the smoke cleared for real, and the sound was good again Dani creeping back out dressed in some type of gothic warrior’s outfit with spiked shoulder pads and matching tall studded boots and classic face make up. On with the show as COF’s Guitar players standing like maniacs ready to ascend on the crowed start riffing out and banging heads with such whip it was making my neck hurt just watching them. Plowing through “Bathory Aria”, Dusk and Her Embrace”, “The Death I Love” and “You Will Know the Lion by His Claws” the theatrics and power metal meshed amazingly that an hour flew by in no time at all.
With “Bruise Upon the Silent Moon” kicking things off for their second set the heat in the room has built up to a piping hot temp. With that comes a bit of a costume changes for Dani. From there they blow into “The Promise of Fear” and then singer and keyboardist Lindsay SchoolCraft just soars with the song “Nymphetamine”. She gives a great dynamic when she is singing alongside Dani. Closing out their set they finished up with the monster tracks “Her Ghost in the Fog” and “Born in a Burial Gown” before finishing the night out with “From the Cradle to Enslave”.
From start to finish Cradle of Filth gives you everything you want and need in a metal band. These musicians are all technically insane and their theatrics are on point throughout. All three performances were stellar but as I said before I thought Jinjer stole the show, their energy was infectious.