1. Night Without Dawn 05:00
2. The Test of Time (feat. Emil Ivošević) 04:39
3. Young & Proud (Demoniac cover) 04:17
Year: 2020
Label: Infernö Records
https://www.facebook.com/jennerserbia
When in October 2018 I interviewed Jenner’s drummer, Marija Dragićević,
on the occasion of the vinyl reissue of the band’s debut album, the band
itself was on hold at the time. A little over a year later, I bursted
with joy at the news that this Serbian group which consists only of
beautiful and talented ladies comes back to life and, moreover, releases
new material.
For a moment I even doubted that Jenner would return. Two of the four
members had just become mothers, so the band’s imminent comeback was
impossible. I’m glad that the lead guitarist and Marija’s younger sister
Alexandra kept Jenner’s fire preparing two new songs that make the
basis of this EP. Since the line-up practically felt apart, it was her
who, in addition to all guitars and bass, recorded the vocals for this
release, eventually becoming a new frontwoman. Two members of her second
band Sigma Epsilon helped with recordings. Drummer Nikola Simonovic
recorded drum parts, while vocalist Emil Ivošević sang a duet with
Alexandra in the title track.
However, it starts with „Night Without Down”, a dynamic riff number that
the Masters from Annihilator would not be ashamed of. In this equally
five-minute piece, Alexandra shows us a whole range of her musical
interests. There are energetic and at the same time melodic riffs,
sometimes a juicy solo falls and around the fourth minute everything
slows down and a climatic bridge appears with beautiful harmonies, both
guitar and vocal.
Mentioned „The Test of Time” is 100% pure thrash ride full of aggressive
picking all over. Ivošević adds a bit of a horror punk relish with his
parts and Alexandra accompanies him with another beautiful harmonies.
The whole gives the impression of a successful symbiosis of the classic
Slayer (riffs), Misfits from Michale Graves’ period (male voice) and
Phantom Blue (female voice).
Two original songs are followed by the cover „Young & Proud” in
which Alexandra pays homage to her countrymen from Demoniac. Compared to
the original from this group’s only full-length album, „Touch the Wind”
from 1992, the Jenner version is much faster, rearranged in Alexandra’s
own style. Earlier under the name Demoniac I only knew the band from
New Zealand which was the previous group of founding members of
DragonForce, and thanks to „The Test of Time” I listened to the entire
album of its Serbian namesake which I enjoyed quite a lot. So in my case
Jenner’s cover probably fulfilled its task.
I am glad that Alexandra, despite the fact that recently she was busy
with her second band which also released an EP not so long ago, did not
forget about her roots and prevented the Jenner brand from dying. I am
also happy that Marija joined her again and once more the sisters play
together. I am looking forward to their second LP!
9,5/10
Patryk Pawelec
