Photos + Review by Mariah Reilly – Walking up to the aptly named Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls over an hour before doors, the line already snaked around the block, with fans excitedly talking with each other about the show to come. This stop was one of Jinjer’s two dates with metalcore act Until I Wake, a departure from the band’s current run on the “Take Back Your Life” tour with Disturbed and Breaking Benjamin.
For Until I Wake, a group hailing from Buffalo, NY, this was practically a hometown show, and it showed in the enthusiasm from some of the attendees. Their sound reflects rap rock influences from artists like Linkin Park and Papa Roach, combined with a tried and true metalcore formula. Vocalist Cody Johnson’s stage presence shows promise with engaging theatrical movements, like falling to his knees to utter an emotional scream. The band’s heavy reliance on backing tracks did make moments of the performance fall slightly flat, but this didn’t appear to phase their fans.
When Jinger took the stage, they emerged through heavy fog to immediately break into ‘Perennial” from their Micro EP. Despite previously knowing that vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk does all of the act’s vocals, it was still astounding to witness her seamlessly transition from a melodic croon to guttural, harsh screams. Her stage presence is magnetic, with choreographed head bangs and high kicks, and she compelled all attention from the moment she started singing. After the first song, she took to the mic to tell the audience they were “here to spread peace, love, and harmony.” She then asked the crowd if they were “ready to have some fun?” to which the attendees responded enthusiastically. The band then proceeded to usher the audience through various old and new tracks, including “Teacher, Teacher!,” “Vortex,” and “Words of Wisdom,” while never missing a beat.
In 2022, the band announced they were pausing their career to focus on war relief efforts in their home country of Ukraine. Later that year, they resumed touring, tasked by the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture to travel as official ambassadors of the country. They can be confident that in Niagara Falls, their spellbinding performance indeed represented their country well.
UNTIL I WAKE
