Over the past decade, Jinjer has gone from strength to strength. They worked damn hard to get where they are and one can't help but respect that regardless of your opinion of their music. Not only that, but they've demonstrated incredible talent and musicianship with each release and arguably become the most famous metal band from their home country of Ukraine. It's been three and a half years since their previous studio album, "Wallflowers," and now the Donetsk headbangers are ready to unleash their fifth full length, "Duél." The question is though, where does it rank among their already stellar catalogue?

The album starts very strongly with "Tantrum," which is appropriately named, as it's full of anger, piss, and vinegar and immediately kicks off the album in style. As one might expect from Jinjer by now, there's more to it than just fire in the belly, with more melodic passages here and there, with a bass solo from Eugene Abdukhanov complimenting the whole thing. While not containing quite as much, the third track, "Rogue" follows a similar pattern and seems destined to become a live staple, at least on the band's upcoming tour dates. Most likely the best example of the band's take on brutality though is "Fast Draw," which seems to contain more elements of grindcore than other songs.

Of course, as we've already established, Jinjer has more to offer than viciousness. "Hedonist" does feature a menacing riff, but is a more refined effort, focusing more on the clean vocals of Tatiana Shmayluk that have helped make the quartet so revered. Elsewhere, "Tumbleweed" incorporates their reggae influences, but in perhaps a different way than one might expect, utilising the genre's rhythm and pace rather than its actual sound. The album's first single "Someone's Daughter" is also interesting, being aggressive but coming from a place of hurt, coming across as more like a reaction than a threat. This all comes before the title track concludes the album very well.

As you've read up to this point, there's quite a few pluses to be found on "Duél," and indeed it's a pretty positive experience overall. The problem though, is that there are just as many tracks which feel like pretty standard fare for Jinjer. I was surprised that "Green Serpent" was released as a single, since aside from jangle guitar, like a metal take on The Smiths, it's not very memorable. "A Tongue So Sly" and "Kafka" are also unremarkable, coming across as filler or going through the motions, which isn't something I like to say about bands but that's how it sounds. "Dark Bile" has a little bit more going on but also feels a little generic, with the most notable aspects being the breakdown style moments that will delight plaid-wearing metalcore fans.

Jinjer will continue to be one of the most in demand live bands in today's metal scene, and rightly so because they are an absolute whirlwind, but their fifth outing leaves something to be desired. As mentioned, there are more positives than negatives, but overall, too many songs feel like Jinjer by numbers. Some songs will stay in future setlists once the touring cycle for "Duél" is over, but there isn't anything here that eclipses songs like "Ape" or "I Speak Astronomy," or even competes with them. Not every album is going to be a classic, but this will still please die hard fans of the band, as well as those who like modern metal with a progressive edge.