Album review by Cody-James Henderson
Its hard to think of a band more unrelenting, more efficient, more passionate, more deserving than Ukranian Titans Jinjer. A band that has literally fought for their dues (including fighting for relief efforts in their native Ukraine when Russia began its invasion in 2022) the band has spent the last few years on the road as ambassadors of their home nation. After 4 full length albums over the last decade, the band band finally returned to the studio in 2024 to complete their follow up to 2021s Wallflowers.
The benchmark that their previous album set meant the bar was as high as the ceiling for the band to reach. But when a band as world renowned as Jinjer step foot into a creative space, you are destined to receive something that’s crafted with the purest love, care, passion and outright obscurity in metal that you have ever heard. So where does Duél sit in the near flawless discography of Jinjer? Lets break each track down and get a closer look shall we?
Tantrum – No chance to catch your breath, as a blast beat opening tears at your skin from the very first second. In the space of this 4-minute epic of an opener, you are taken across a multitude of genres changing before you find a chance to find comfort. From moments of Deathcore into melodic Prog Metal, Tetianas voice transcends from aggressive monster into calming beauty throughout the chorus, luring you from fear into familiarity. This opener serves as a fresh introduction to the familiar fan or new friend experiencing Jinjer for the first time, a priceless opening.
Hedonist: “Let it. Let it be no pain”
There is something so magical about the negative spaces to highlight the endless revolutions of happiness. ‘Hedonist’ plays into its title lyrically as Jinjer curate a groove-centric masterpiece of an allure to achieve all the delicacies life can give to us. A cleaner vocal approach to an otherwise low tuned technicality, ‘Hedonist’ takes you on a journey hand in hand of just how wonderful and spiritualistic life can be. A truly standout masterpiece from start to finish.
Rogue: Straight back into the familiar realm of Prog-Metal, the Ukrainian icons channel their inner Meshuggah to bring us ‘Rogue’. Its downright chugging, off the beaten rhythmic path and never boring keep this fresh and albeit shorter track on your mind so when the ending comes from out of nowhere, you’re wanting to hit that replay button immediately. When you think the song is going in one direction it quickly snaps you in another direction. There is a level of ferocity here that makes it feel so brand new but also so familiar to what the genre of Prog has become, and I mean that with all positivity.
Tumbleweed: Taking a step back after a front-loaded album of intensity, ‘Tumbleweed’ is a more poetic influenced track, seemingly metaphorical track about the uprooted families in distress in the traumatic war-torn landscapes of Ukraine and Palestine. Its more childlike innocence in its story telling isn’t without its more guttural moments, but ‘Tumbleweed’ is more about its message compared to it delivery. It’s presented in true classic ‘Jinjer’ but its core is much more heartbreaking than the fairytale lets on.
Green Serpent: “Its not him that drinks from the bottle, it’s the bottle who drinks from him.”
If you’re only new to the Jinjer camp, the band is one that speaks of personal experience elegantly but not to brush past its flaws. ‘Green Serpent’ talks of the temptations of alcohol and how life consuming it can be. Its raw approach still doesn’t detract from the musical aspect’s fans are familiar with, but it does show the physical and mental boundaries that Tetiana has come through as she celebrates 2 years of sobriety in 2025. Take a listen back to his one a few times and really break down the lyrics and you will see just how interpersonal a song like this is.
Kafka: Inspired by the writings of Czechian writer ‘Franz Kafta’ who wrote about absurdist, alienated and anxiety influence in 19th century lifetimes; ‘Kafka’ speaks of these works and their relevance in a 21st century landscape. The vocal harmony works through the verses stand as a highlight of the record so far. It wraps you in warmth through Tetianas voice before the crushing back half of the song throw you to the cold and unrelenting void. This is also by far one of the strongest lyrical tracks on Duél. Study this as you would study ancient literally. Go forth now.
Dark Bile: Dark Bile reflects a group knowing their comfort zone and running a mile with it. Whilst its musical elements shine brightly and once again overtly poetic storytelling guiding you into a visual landscape, I can’t help but feel the tracks falls into way too comfortable of a groove. It is fantastically heavy and its words will hypnotise you however its delivery just feels a tad too familiar not just in the scheme of the album so far, but to previous entries in the bands discography.
Fast Draw: Much like the albums beginning of the album, Fast Draw is exactly what you will need to pull off before this nu-metal riff fest kicks you in the teeth. This is a song designed for an audience to hear or for you to belt at the top of your lungs in the shower (whatever is more comfortable of course) I feel almost disrespectful for comparing this heavy spectacular to that of something from Slipknots first album, but it feels like it belongs in history as a genre defining release. This is a song for future generations to have as their ‘Spit it Out’ or ‘Surfacing’, its just pristine heavy metal until the very last second. Perfect is an understatement of what I think of this song.
Someone’s Daughter: “I am no longer a daughter. I throw the first punch.”
Casting light on the inner light of women across the globe, ‘Someones Daughter’ is a melodical chasm that pulls you further down into the genre defying world of Jinjer. This power anthem for women across the globe talks of redefining the paths that were shaped for them by men. ‘Someone’s Daughter’ is a tongue in cheek title as that is often how society views its women. But with an anthem like this at the helm, a new generation of women in metal will tell you that she is someone instead. This is every bit as influential as its story is intended to be, so play this one as loud and as proud as you can.
A Tongue So Sly: As we embark into the back end of the album, this is where bands would start to slow things down. But not Jinjer. ‘A Tongue So Sly’ question the sheer morals of anything in standard 4/4, interpreting intricate drum work and some of the punchiest bass work from ‘Eugene Kostyuk’ making this one of the most stand out performances across the album. Boundaries are in place to understand someone’s comfort. Jinjer takes these boundaries once set and music and proceed to dance over them. Not one part of this song sounds like the previous verse, and I am here for it. If the “norm” in metal music bores you, this is the song that will change your mind.
Duél: The title track and album finale, ‘Duél’ almost harnesses elements of Speed Metal throughout its introduction before evolving into classic Jinjer. Another song made with the intention of being as staple in the set. Whether its passionately singing a-long, daydreaming of the aforementioned Duél the song tell us about or thriving in a monster circle pit; this is a song that has absolutely something for everyone. A picturesque finale to the album.
To put it in the shortest terms I can; I absolutely love this album. From its chaotic beginnings to its humble endings, its near impossible to find a single fault in this immaculate performance. This is an album powers like a well-oiled machine taking down anything that dares step out in front of it. This may not just be a true AOTY contender, but a contender for one the most important metal albums of the decade.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Standout tracks: Rogue, Green Serpent, Kafka, Fast Draw
