JINJER
Wallflowers
Ukraine’s progressive metal hotshots hit the bullseye
NAPALM
Jinjer: Wallflowers could cost you a trip to the dentist
PRESS/CLÉMENT THIERY
IT’S A TRIUMPH in itself that Jinjer are still around, let alone on the upward trajectory that sees fourth album Wallflowers as one of the most highly anticipated metal records of the year.
Their home nation of Ukraine sits alongside Moldova as the poorest in Europe, rife with corruption, poverty and an ongoing conflict with Russia known as the Donbas War.
Nevertheless, Jinjer have channelled this adversity into concentrated rage and fused it with their brand of groove-laden prog metal to produce a sound with enough punch to knock out several teeth and fracture a jawbone for good measure.
Add the events of the last 18 months into this potent mix and Wallflowers has all the ingredients necessary to be the angriest record of 2021. It makes its case immediately as Call Me A Symbol flies out of the traps with a flurry of drums and guitars whilst vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk screams ‘Look at me!’. Any album starting in such a bludgeoning manner is guaranteed to be given your full attention. However, as the track seamlessly becomes more melodic and Tatiana showcases her clean singing, Jinjer reveal where they really flourish. They effortlessly mix savagery and serenity in a way that never feels jarring or out of control – an ability that has made them such a valued presence in alternative music.