Jinjer

Jinjer ( "ginger") is a Ukrainian metalcore band from Donetsk, formed in 2008. None of the founding members remain with the band. The current lineup considers 2009 as its official year of formation, with the arrival of singer Tatiana Shmailyuk and guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov. The band has since added bassist Eugene Abdukhanov and drummer Vladislav Ulasevich. Their most recent album, ''Wallflowers'', was released in August 2021.

History

Jinjer was formed in 2008 by singer Maksym Fatullaiev, guitarist Dmitriy Oksen, bassist Oleksiy Svynar, and drummer Vyacheslav Okhrimenko. This lineup released the four-song EP ''Objects in Mirror Are Closer than They Appear''. In 2009, Fatullaiev was replaced by Tatiana Shmailyuk, and Roman Ibramkhalilov joined on second guitar. In 2011, Oleksiy Svynar was replaced by Eugene Abdukhanov, while Okhrimenko was replaced by Oleksandr Koziychuk.

This lineup self-released the EP ''Inhale, Do Not Breathe'' in 2012 and Jinjer began relentlessly touring on their own funds. They were noticed by The Leaders Records in late 2012, and ''Inhale, Don't Breathe'' was officially re-released in 2013 in an extended format, with three live tracks. The band won the Best Ukrainian Metal Act award held by Kyiv's InshaMuzyka label in 2013 (they would win that award again in 2016).

Jinjer self-released their first full-length album, ''Cloud Factory'', in 2014; the record featured another new drummer, Yevhen Mantulin. It would later be picked up and re-released by their current record label, Napalm. Jinjer began touring internationally and personally booked their own shows. The final remaining founding member, Dmitriy Oksen, departed in 2015 and was not replaced, leaving Ibramkhalilov as sole guitarist.

After several tours around the world, they released their second full-length album, ''King of Everything'', in 2016, along with the single "Pisces". Dmitriy Kim served as drummer on this album. Videos for "Pisces" and "I Speak Astronomy" became popular on YouTube. In 2021, ''Metal Hammer'' placed "Pisces" at No. 74 in their list of "The 100 Greatest Metal Songs of the 21st Century". Shortly after the release of ''King of Everything'', drummer Vladislav Ulasevich joined and the band's lineup has remained stable since.

In 2017, Jinjer committed to two tours across Europe in support of Arch Enemy, followed by their first tour of North America, alongside Cradle of Filth, in 2018. The band also reissued their 2014 album, ''Cloud Factory'', on Napalm Records in February 2018. In September of that year, Jinjer landed on the ''Billboard'' Next Big Sound chart. They released the five-track EP ''Micro'' in January 2019, followed by tours with Amorphis, Soilwork, and Nailed to Obscurity.

Their next full-length album, ''Macro'', was released in October 2019 and featured experiments in reggae and progressive rock. ''Loudwire'' named it one of the fifty best metal albums of 2019. Jinjer was forced to cancel several tours, including their first in Latin America, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They released the live album ''Alive in Melbourne'' in November 2020. They then returned to Kaska Record Studios in Kyiv in March 2021, and their fourth full-length album, ''Wallflowers'', was released on 27 August. ''Loudwire'' ranked it among the best rock/metal albums of the year again, placing it at #21.

In March 2022, it was reported that Jinjer had "paused" their career to focus on relief efforts in Ukraine after Russia invaded the country one month prior. In June 2022, Jinjer announced that they received permission from the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture to leave Ukraine and tour as ambassadors of the nation.

Musical style and influences

Jinjer have mentioned many influences for their music, including Guano Apes, Slayer, Death, Pantera, Anathema, Lamb of God, Gojira, and Twelve Foot Ninja. While explaining their influences, the band have noted other metal acts like Opeth, Karnivool, and Textures, in addition to groups across the spectrum of R&B, soul, funk, jazz, reggae, and hip-hop, such as Cypress Hill and House of Pain.

They have been noted for progressive experiments with genres such as R&B, soul, funk, jazz, reggae, and groove metal. Bassist Eugene Abdukhanov has been noted for his use of a five-string bass to supplement the group's sound since Roman Ibramkhalilov became the sole guitarist. The band's more recent releases have featured lyrics addressing the war in Donbas and its effects on their home region of Donetsk.

Band members

Current
* Tatiana "Tati" Shmailyuk – vocals (2010–present)
* Roman Ibramkhalilov – guitars (2010–present)
* Eugene Abdukhanov – bass (2011–present)
* Vladislav "Vladi" Ulasevich – drums (2016–present)

Former
* Maksym Fatullaiev – vocals (2008-2009)
* Vyacheslav Okhrimenko – drums (2008–2011)
* Rostyslav Lobachov – guitar (2008–2010)
* Oleksandr Koziychuk – drums (2011–2013)
* Oleksiy Svynar – bass (2008-2011)
* Yevhen Mantulin – drums (2013–2014)
* Dmitriy Oksen – rhythm guitar (2008–2015)
* Dmitriy Kim – drums (2014–2016)

Wacken 2019">
File:20190802 Wacken Wacken-Open-Air Jinjer 0306.jpg, Tatiana Shmailyuk
File:Jinjer - 2019214110249 2019-08-02 Wacken - 0005 - AK8I0827.jpg, Roman Ibramkhalilov
File:20190802 Wacken Wacken-Open-Air Jinjer 0243.jpg, Eugene Abdukhanov
File:Jinjer - 2019214110502 2019-08-02 Wacken - 0019 - B70I9661.jpg, Vladislav Ulasevich

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums
* ''Cloud Factory'' (2014)
* ''King of Everything'' (2016)
* ''Macro'' (2019)
* ''Wallflowers'' (2021)

EPs
* ''Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear'' (2009)
* ''Inhale, Do Not Breathe'' (2012)
* ''Micro'' (2019)

Live albums
* ''Alive in Melbourne'' (2020)

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jinjer
2009 establishments in Ukraine
Metalcore musical groups
Musical groups established in 2009
Musical quartets
Napalm Records artists
Ukrainian heavy metal musical groups
Progressive metal musical groups
Female-fronted musical groups