Jinjer, the Ukranian hyper-soundscape of nu-metal heartthrob, just dropped the most perplexing example of early Ozzfest-style nostalgia with their new album, Duel. Metal has never been more lucrative and comforting than its current state of remarkable outbursts from brutally strong women. The fact needs to be praised and firmly committed to because we need them and love them.
Duel is the band’s fifth album with Napalm Records, self-defined as their most complex, taking about two years in process. The album consists of eleven magnetic tracks that are all fuelled by heavy sweeps and high petit peaks of vocal frontier charting. The album is heavy, it’s hypnotic, it displays an immensity on the level of powerful chords that will keep you locked in mentally for whatever memories you need to heal from those Ozzfest days.
Starting with their opening track, “Tantrum,” with its polyrhythms that hit like a hail storm after a tsunami. Tatiana goes from Spine Shank to No Doubt in five seconds with the grace of a war-torn deity. “Do not send me invitations anymore.
Then we enter the sudden dark fairytale that is “Hedonist.” It gives you so much to draw with; you can feel the depth of her survival and loss. You can sense her purity against hatred, and you measure in units what she meant by “A blessing.” Her voice encapsulates immense vibrations of endurance and sophistication, like a ballerina on the battlefield. “Rogue” feels like they’re trying to raise the dead or maybe did, and then Tumbleweed through Dark Bile feels like philosophical reasoning.
Then we get to my absolute favorite track, which is “Fast Draw,” purely circle pit and very little breathing room. The track tightly winds and binds you into a landscape of insanity while making you feel like you’re destined to walk through it and come out on the other side. Someone’s Daughter hits all the humility feels and transitions gracefully into the final tracks, including the iconic Duel. A song that is most self-evident and useful if you feel like you don’t have the fight in you.
I don’t want to go on too much of an overzealous rant, but in light of recent red carpet violations of recognition for the monumental women of this genre and their distinct purpose and principle, it’s important to note how Jinjer has strengthened their sisters and how this album is an added strength to the fact that women in metal are leading the charge.
They deserve to be emulated as the greatest part of our genre because they bring a helping hand to a better understanding for what is so misconstrued; seemingly on purpose. This album is a great emulation of the civility Metal stands on. I honestly can’t put it down, and I don’t think my words truly hit the nail on the head.
Duel is available to order at this location.
