Ukrainian metal act JINJER have launched their European Duel Tour tonight in Cologne, Germany, marking the band's first European headline run in over six years. The last time JINJER headlined a full European tour was in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine fundamentally altered the band's trajectory. In the intervening years, frontwoman Tatiana Shmayluk, guitarist Roman Ibramkhalilov, bassist Eugene Abdukhanov, and drummer Vladislav Ulasevich have been based outside Ukraine while maintaining their identity as one of the country's most prominent cultural exports.
Support comes from recently reunited Dutch prog metallers TEXTURES, who are touring behind their comeback album "Genotype," and German progressive outfit UNPROCESSED, whose technical virtuosity makes them an ideal fit for the bill. The 30-date tour hits Tilburg (Jan 24), Brussels (Jan 25), Glasgow (Jan 27), Dublin (Jan 28), and Manchester (Jan 29) before winding through Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe, wrapping in late March.
The tour supports "Duel," the band's 2025 album released via Napalm Records, which pushed their sound further into progressive and atmospheric territory while retaining their signature groove-laden aggression. The album received widespread critical acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting it as JINJER's most ambitious and cohesive work to date. Songs like "Tantrum" and "Someone's Daughter" have become fan favorites and are expected to anchor the setlist.
JINJER's return to European headlining status is a testament to their resilience and the loyalty of their fanbase, which has only grown during the band's forced absence from the continent's stages.