Ukraine Metallers Jinjer drop their fifth studio album, Duél, today. It is a great example of their work and capabilities and an absolutely relentless record.
Jinjer – Duél (Napalm Records)
Release Date: 7 February 2025
Words: Rhys Tagg
It has been around four years since Jinjer’s last release of Wallflowers, and Duél is an even angrier album. The modern and unique four-piece deliver on the high expectations fans have become accustomed to, and there should not be anyone not enjoying such a monster.
It is a slick and well-produced album, the band continuing their long-lasting collaboration with producer Max Morton, who co-produced, mixed and mastered the works.
Steaming along on a heavy touring schedule, the Groove Metallers have gone from success to success, and Duél proves there is no chance of Jinjer slowing down or coasting out a basic record.
Jinjer have shared stages and festival grounds with some of the biggest names in Metal, absolutely rocked venues to their core and been ambassadors for their home nation of Ukraine. This is a band that clearly just loves to play.
The record jumps two-footed and straight in, with the ferocious growls on Tantrum, and it just does not let up. This is fast paced and shows plenty of technical capability, oozing with fierce attitude and emotion. It is an angry track on an even angrier album.
Hedonist brings the melody and hits the clean vocals, and amazingly, Tatiana Shmayluk presents an even greater range in her vocals and higher pitch than ever before.
Rogue has no build-up or intro. It is just a straight metaphorical slap to the face and a clear message about Russian President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. The theme continues into fourth song, Tumbleweed, hitting on the difficulties and destruction faced by the Ukraine people.
Jinjer are Metal visionaries who follow their own path, fusing Metalcore, jazz, prog and plenty more. The album provides aggressive guitar work by Roman Ibramkhalilov intricate drumming from Vlad Ulasevich, and very talented bass skills via Eugene Abdukhanov.
Shmayluk really has amazing vocals, with those crashing huge growls and unique changes between the clean and growl.
Green Serpent is a great example of powerful guitars complemented by superb bass against a stunning array of vocals. Kafka is a prog-heavy tune with captivating vocals, while Dark Bile slams and is fittingly titled, as it is spewing with rage.
Someone’s Daughter brings beautiful melody and smooth vocals interchanging with fierce screams. Shmaylyuk tells us the storied struggle of a woman in a field of men and is told with conviction. Seemingly pointing to both being a woman in a male-dominated music genre and women joining Ukraine forces in droves?
The album finishes on its titular track, Duél calling people to pick a side because you cannot be a bystander in war. This provides a rounded end to the album, covering all of the band’s qualities converging to a fitting end.
Overall, Duél is a great fusion of technical ability, songwriting skills, and a powerhouse of vocals. It will leave you tapping along, enjoying the signature blend Jinjer bring and intrigued by their ever-growing capabilities. This is storytelling at its finest, fuelled with emotion and rage.
Jinjer will be appearing at Download Festival in the summer and touring around the world in 2025. There are plenty of new bangers that will make for a brilliant live show.
Jinjer – Duél Tracklist
- Tantrum
- Hedonist
- Rogue
- Tumbleweed
- Green Serpent
- Kafka
- Dark Bile
- Fast Draw
- Someone’s Daughter
- A Tongue So Sly
- Duél
Festivals – 2025
05.05.25 US – Columbus (OH) / Sonic Temple
01.06.25 LV – Riga / Palladium
02.06.25 EE – Tallinn / Noblessner Foundry
03.06.25 LT – Vilnius / Compesa Hall
05.06.25 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock
06.06.25 PL – Gdańsk / Mystic Festival
07.06.25 DE – Nürburg / Rock am Ring
08.06.25 DE – Nürnberg / Rock im Park
10.06.25 SI – Ljubljana / Mediacenter
12.06.25 AT – Vienna / Nova Rock Festival
13.06.25 FI – Hyvinkää / Rock Fest
14.06.25 CH – Interlaken / Greenfield Festival
15.06.25 UK – Donington Park / Download Festival
17.06.25 BG – Sofia / Maimunarnika
19.06.25 FR – Clisson / Hellfest
20.06.25 BE – Dessel / Graspop Metal Meeting
22.06.25 IT – Milan / Dissonance Fest
25.06.25 ES – Viveiro / Resurrection Fest
26.06.25 NL – Ysselsteyn / Jera On Air
28.06.25 NO – Oslo / Tons Of Rock
29.06.25 PT – Lisbon / Evil Live Festival
02.07.25 DK – Roskilde / Roskilde Festival
