Jinjer - Pisces

Whilst I may have had a lot less time to write than I would have liked lately, it has allowed me to find some great music of the past year or two which I feel needs talking about. Starting off with this absolute gem from Ukrainian Metalcore/Djent fusion band Jinjer and their incredible song Pisces. 

Albeit released toward the latter end of 2016, the song crept into my focus with a live session video at Napalm Records. The video is put to great use, holding multiple members in view so as not to lose their intricate playing style, quick changes in pace and tone, along with the harnessed energy (most of them are seated after all). In return you follow the song through the different members, seeing the individual brilliance that culminates in the song. 

In the verses, you feel a sorrowful sailing that takes you into the lyrics, which seem to tell the tale of a fish. The beauty and brutality of this life are so spectacularly put together that it results in this epic tale (no pun intended). For many cultures fish were a great source of food and therefore life, brought into fruition here by the lyrics of Tatiana Shmailyuk. Even without the historical cultural context when entertaining lines like 'Neptune's child, shivering inside, drowns in liquid gold...', the lyrics speak of the difficulty, failure and struggle that is life itself for us all. But it's the choruses that hammer home the message on show in this song, the brutality and raw aggression of Schmailyuk's voice is in full force. In earnest I could write an essay dissecting the lyrics and meaning behind this song... and I'm very VERY tempted!

Pisces shows some extremely complex and intricate song-writing. Not least flying somewhat under the radar at #9 on Jinjer's King Of Everything, not that I think I would have placed it anywhere else. I really am quite taken and swept with this song and the talent on display. There's a certain something about it that can't be explained, something that just calls to my soul and says 'this is what you've been after, a raw, aggressive, passionate and talented group outside the realms of normal 'metal''.

The next release from Jinjer is going to a special one. They've clearly found their sound and want to state this as a possible avenue for development. Develop away Jinjer, I'm already sold!

Jinjer - Pisces (Live Session at Napalm Records):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQNtGoM3FVU