TRIVIUM / JINJER / HERIOT – LIVE AT THE OAKDALE THEATRE
By Mia Palazzo
Trivium, Jinjer, and Heriot at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
The night opened with Heriot, a young metal group from the United Kingdom who are currently making their first trip across North America. It is not easy to be the first band in a lineup this heavy, but they took the stage with full confidence. Their music blends hardcore and sludge elements, creating a sound that is both brutal and hypnotic.
Guitarist and vocalist Debbie Gough instantly captured attention with her commanding presence, while bassist Jake Packer’s harsh vocals grounded the performance. Their set featured songs from Devoured by the Mouth of Hell, including “Demure” and “At the Fortress Gate.”
Next came Jinjer, the Ukrainian groove metal band that has become one of the most talked about live acts in modern metal. The moment vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk walked onstage, the energy in the room shifted. She moved across the stage with complete command, effortlessly switching between soaring clean vocals and guttural growls that sent shockwaves through the venue.
Behind her, bassist Eugene Abdukhanov, guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov, and drummer Vlad Ulasevich played with flawless precision. The band’s set included songs like “Hedonist,” “Teacher, Teacher!” and “Pisces,” each performed with remarkable control and emotion. The lighting moved between dark tones and bursts of strobe, adding another layer of intensity to their performance.
When Trivium finally took the stage, the crowd erupted. The Florida metal veterans have spent over two decades building one of the most loyal fan bases in heavy music, and the excitement in the Toyota Oakdale Theatre made that clear. The set opened with “In Waves,” and from that moment forward, the energy never dipped. Frontman Matt Heafy led with both authority and genuine enthusiasm, moving from one side of the stage to the other as he encouraged the audience to sing, scream, and move along. Guitarist Corey Beaulieu and bassist Paolo Gregoletto mirrored his energy, while drummer Alex Rüdinger delivered a precise and powerful performance in his first major tour with the band.
Their setlist covered both classics and new material, including highlights like “Until the World Goes Cold,” “A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation,” and “Bury Me With My Screams.” Each song was met with cheers that filled the arena. The light show and visuals were perfectly timed to the shifts in tempo, adding even more drama to the performance.
By the end of their 80-minute set, it was clear why Trivium continues to stand as one of metal’s most consistent and respected acts. The connection between the band and the fans felt genuine, built on years of shared passion for heavy music.
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