Review Summary: Duél is Jinjer at their most confident, delivering a relentless, groove-heavy assault that balances crushing intensity with haunting melody—proving they’re in a league of their own.
Even if you’ve never heard of Jinjer before, *Duél* is the kind of album that demands your attention. It’s a masterclass in modern metal—unrelenting, groove-heavy, and surprisingly nuanced. With this release, Jinjer has once again redefined the genre, delivering a relentless, groove-driven assault that cements their dominance.
It’s heavy, unapologetically intense, and masterfully crafted—an album that grips you from start to finish. Every member is firing on all cylinders, making it difficult to pinpoint a singular standout. Eugene’s bass playing continues to be the heartbeat of Jinjer’s sound, delivering mesmerizing "bass-led" passages, particularly in "Tantrum" and "Green Serpent." Tatiana commands every track with effortless shifts between ethereal cleans and guttural growls, adapting her delivery seamlessly to the mood. Roman’s guitar work showcases full mastery of his instrument, avoiding the overused chugging of generic metal bands in favor of dynamic, full-range compositions. Vlad’s drumming is a relentless force, pushing every track forward with precision and power.
To the haters and skeptics, Tatiana puts it bluntly on 'Rogue': *'Shut up! Take a listen!'* And she has a point—anyone who dismisses Jinjer as just another modern metal act isn’t paying attention. *Duél* is proof that they are in a league of their own. This isn’t overproduced, soulless djent, nor is it a one-dimensional showcase for Tatiana’s vocals. It’s an all-out assault of tight songwriting, massive grooves, and raw emotion.*The last 30 seconds of 'Rogue' are skull-crushingly heavy, an unrelenting sledgehammer of riffs. *Green Serpent* is another standout, combining slow, monolithic instrumentation with Tatiana’s signature low growls—delivering an intensity that rivals the best in extreme metal. The raw brutality and technicality on display here make it clear why Jinjer is in a league of their own. *Fast Draw*, meanwhile, is a thrashy, adrenaline-pumping crowd-pleaser, tailor-made for chaos in a live setting.
But *Duél* is more than just relentless heaviness—it’s a showcase of musical evolution. Jinjer feels more confident in themselves than ever before, as if they know they’ve perfected their sound and are unleashing it without hesitation. There’s no second-guessing, just sheer intensity from start to finish. Tatiana introduces an almost operatic quality to her clean vocals, as evident on *Tumbleweed* and subtly woven throughout the album. Even when the melodies shine, the heaviness never fades. *Green Serpent* is hauntingly beautiful, while *Kafka* incorporates a Romantic-era sense of free-form structure, amplified by Tatiana’s stunning vocal versatility. The album’s production is slightly more ethereal this time around, infusing a haunting undertone beneath its crushing weight.
While most of the album hits with precision, *Dark Bile* feels like a step down—"Jinjer on autopilot," lacking the standout qualities that make the rest of *Duél* so compelling. "Someone’s Daughter" is the only real misstep, stumbling lyrically with its opening line: *"You taught me how to be a man, though I am someone's daughter."* Whether it’s a deeply personal statement or a broader social commentary, it feels jarring and somewhat disconnected.
*A Tongue So Sly* brings things back with a monolithic, rhythmically complex assault—filled with unpredictable riff switch-ups, seemingly alternating time signatures, and undeniable groove. There’s a sense of pure, unfiltered anger and aggression running through *Duél*, emphasized by its pummeling, groove-heavy riffs. It’s like Godzilla picking up a bus and hurling it at your face—relentless, overwhelming, and impossible to ignore. Yet beneath the aggression, there’s a melancholic undercurrent in Tatiana’s lyrics, her writing deeply personal and emotionally honest, offering moments of vulnerability that elevate the album beyond just sheer heaviness.
Jinjer continues to push the boundaries of groove-metal, refusing to be compared because their sound is truly unique, effortlessly crafting what so many djent and metal bands can only dream of. The title track *Duél* closes things out in pure aggression, with a "traveling through tunnels" riff that barrels toward a climactic finish.
Jinjer isn’t overcomplicating things here, and that’s precisely why *Duél* succeeds. It’s a fearless, bone-crushing ride—an album that demands your attention and refuses to let go. Emotionally honest, brutally heavy, and sonically refined, *Duél* proves once again that Jinjer is in complete control of their craft. Turn it up, brace yourself, and dive headfirst into the chaos. Love them or hate them, Jinjer has just delivered an album that cannot be ignored. *Duél* is a battle cry—emotionally honest, brutally heavy, and sonically refined. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a skeptic, this is the album that proves Jinjer’s staying power in modern metal.
