Buffalo RiverWorks hosted one of the stronger metal bills of the year on Tuesday night as Trivium’s “Ascend Above the Ashes” tour stopped in town with Jinjer and Heriot. The lineup brought a mix of new energy, technical musicianship, and seasoned live experience that kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.
Heriot opened the show with a focused and confident set. The UK group’s heavy sound translated well in the venue’s industrial space, with sharp guitar tones and dense rhythm work. Dual vocalists Debbie Gough and Jake Packer alternated screams with precision, creating a strong opening impression for those seeing the band for the first time. Their short set was tight and direct and a solid introduction without overstaying its welcome.
Jinjer followed and raised the bar with a mix of groove, technical skill, and stage control. Frontwoman Tatiana Shmayluk was in complete command, moving easily between harsh and clean vocals while keeping a clear connection with the audience. The crowd responded strongly to fan favorites like “Teacher, Teacher!” and “Pisces,” while newer songs such as “Duél” and “Green Serpent” showed the band’s continued growth. The sound was clear, the playing was tight, and even though the stage lighting felt understated at times, the performance itself needed no embellishment.
Trivium closed the night with a set that balanced intensity and familiarity. The band opened with “Capsizing the Sea” and “In Waves,” immediately setting a high-energy tone that carried throughout. Matt Heafy’s rapport with the audience was easy and genuine, showing why Trivium continues to connect with both longtime and newer fans. Older tracks like “Like Light to the Flies” and “A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation” hit hard, while “Until the World Goes Cold” and “The Heart From Your Hate” offered melodic breaks without losing momentum.
The crowd was enthusiastic but respectful, and the RiverWorks setting with all steel beams and open space fit the sound well. By the time the band finished with “The Sin and the Sentence,” the energy in the room hadn’t faded. The night served as a reminder that even after more than two decades, Trivium still delivers the kind of show that keeps you coming back.
Jinjer Setlist:
Duél>Green Serpent>Fast Draw>Hedonist>Teacher, Teacher!>Perennial>Rogue>Someone’s Daughter>Pisces
Trivium Setlist:
Capsizing the Sea (tape intro)>In Waves>Like Light to the Flies>Strife>Into the Mouth of Hell We March>Throes of Perdition>Until the World Goes Cold>Bury Me With My Screams>A Gunshot to the Head of Trepidation>Struck Dead>Dying in Your Arms>Pull Harder on the Strings of Your Martyr>The Heart From Your Hate>Down From the Sky>The Sin and the Sentence
Trivium
Jinjer
Heriot
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