Jinjer – Duél

Duél

7

Great

Rating: 7, labeled as Great

Artist: Jinjer

Record Label: Naplam Records

Release Date: 7 February 2025

Jinjer has established themselves as a notable presence in modern metal. With their fifth studio album, Duél, the Ukrainian quartet continues to develop their blend of progressive groove metal. Following 2021’s Wallflowers, this release explores new elements while maintaining the complexity and heaviness of their style.

The album opens with Tantrum, featuring chugging riffs, rapid-fire drumming, and Tatiana Shmayluk’s vocal transitions between growls and cleans. The energy carries into Hedonist, which incorporates groove-heavy rhythms and intricate bass work from Eugene Abdukhanov.

One of Duél’s key elements is its variation in sound. Tumbleweed takes a more melodic approach, showcasing Roman Ibramkhalilov’s guitar work with atmospheric leads. Meanwhile, Kafka incorporates dissonant riffs and lyrics inspired by literature and philosophy. The song’s structure shifts between intensity and introspection.

Jinjer balances technicality with emotion, as heard in Dark Bile and Fast Draw. The former delivers down-tuned riffs alongside introspective lyrics, while the latter introduces dynamic shifts before reaching an intense conclusion. The title track, Duél, serves as the album’s closer, bringing together themes of conflict and self-discovery. Shmayluk’s vocals alternate between cleans and growls throughout the track.

Lyrically, Duél addresses existentialism, resilience, and psychological challenges. Songs like Someone’s Daughter and A Tongue So Sly explore personal introspection and social themes, adding depth to the album’s instrumentation.

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While incorporating progressive elements, Duél remains structured, with a balance of groove and melody. Some tracks experiment with unconventional arrangements, but the album maintains an overall cohesion.

As a continuation of Jinjer’s work, Duél presents a mix of aggression, melody, and introspection. It offers a structured yet varied listening experience that reflects the band’s ongoing musical direction.

Artists: Jinjer