Band's sixth studio album for the first time explicates Ukrainian folk identity in metal form. Release 26 June 2026 on Napalm Records label.
Jinjer presents the sixth studio album 'Roots' on 26 June 2026 on Napalm Records label — one of the world's largest metal labels. This is an 11-track LP (total duration 56 minutes) in which the band for the first time in its 18-year history (since 2008) explicitly includes Ukrainian folk motifs, rhythms and textual images in its signature progressive/groove-metal aesthetic. Conceptually the album is Shmailyuk and Yevhen Abdiukhanov's (bass, principal composer) reaction to the 2022 full-scale aggression that deprived them of home (both are from Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast). Among the tracks: 'Mavka' (8:12 — about the forest spirit, known from Lesia Ukrainka), 'Carpathian Bone' (6:45 — groove-metal with Hutsul melodics), 'Trembita' (10:23 — epic ballad with the real trembita instrument), 'Lily of Donetsk' (5:50 — ballad-lament), 'Vernidub' (7:18 — about the fairytale hero). Recording took place in two locations: Hansa Studio in Berlin (March-May 2025) and Kyiv MUSCOLO (June-August 2025). Sound engineer — Jens Bogren (producer of Opeth, Devin Townsend, Katatonia albums). The album features guest performers — Oleh Skrypka (Vopli Vidopliasova frontman) on 'Carpathian Bone', bandura player Anton Hrabovetsky on 'Trembita'. The European tour of 22 cities will run from September 2026 to February 2027.
