Song of the Week: “Green Serpent”

Live in San Francisco, 3 July 2026

Screen shot from Author’s capture of Jinjer: “Green Serpent”, live in San Francisco

When Russia launched its all-out war on Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian heavy metal band Jinjer were about to embark on a world tour. They decided to cancel the tour, and stayed in Ukraine, volunteering in relief efforts for the parts of the country that were being hardest hit.

About half a year into the war, the Zelenskyy administration gave the band a new assignment: To go out and tour the world as ambassadors, to raise awareness and build support for Ukraine. They have done so with a vengeance, touring almost constantly since then, even while managing to write and record new music.

Jinjer have for some time been not only my favorite death-metal or metalcore band, but one of my half-dozen favorite rock bands active today. They are incredible songwriters and musicians, and their front-woman, Tatiana, is mind-blowing. In 2023, I picked Vlad Ulasevich, their drummer, as best rock drummer of the year.

[embed]Favorite new artists? Here is one of mine I'll be coming back to more of your recommendations. Meanwhile, here is one of my favorite bands founded last decade…zapatosjam.substack.com

[embed]Women's History Month and the fight for Ukraine I discovered Jinjer long before it became apparent that Ukraine might be facing a fight for survival.zapatosjam.substack.com

Jinjer recently stopped in San Francisco, and I went to see them on July 3. They appeared at The Fillmore, the legendary venue where many of the iconic rock bands of the 60s and 70s made their mark. They did the place proud.

I found myself hanging out at the rail with two young women who seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of metal, and a young dude who had flown up from Mexico just for this concert. I did very little recording, wanting to immerse myself in the experience.

Here is the one song I shot in its entirety. Keep in mind, this is just captured on my old i-phone, so please forgive the sound quality. It still gives you a taste of what the show was like.

“Green Serpent”:

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Thank you @kevin and The Riff for publishing!