LIVE FROM THE PIT: Jinjer, Unprocessed and Textures

After a six year wait, Ukrainian metal giants JINJER finally returned to the UK for a full scale headline tour. It was clear to see on a rainy Friday evening in Birmingham what this band means to people. Cowering beneath limited cover from the elements, the queue stood strong as it weaved around the Digbeth streets. We last saw JINJER grace the holy grounds of Castle Donington at DOWNLOAD Festival 2025, a gripping show, but nothing in comparison to the showcase of European musical talent that was about to go down in the O2 Institute. 

Hot off the heels of the release of their first album in a decade, Dutch prog metal pioneers TEXTURES opened with the dreamy Closer To The Unknown. Transporting you into their synth infused modern metal soundscape, lead singer Daniel de Jongh made the transition from raspy melodics to wrenching uncleans look easy. 

With six members in total, every single one looked to be having the time of their lives. Inside jokes unfolded with fist bumps between themselves during beat drops and constant smiles across their faces for the duration of their set. Alongside their infectious joy, their musical catalogue enticed the audience to join their headbanging, doing as a support act should, warming the crowd up. 

Saving the heaviest song of the set until last, Laments of an Icarus left a lasting impact that would make sure new fans left the venue that night. 

As the crew commenced their gear switch, a loud and ringing electronic melody took over the sound systems to set the scene before the next band took to the stage.

Bringing their mix of technical riffs, fast paced rhythms, ‘angelic’ cleans and contrasting intense vocals, German quartet UNPROCESSED did not come to mess around. This tour brought the band the opportunity to play tracks off their new album Angel, kicking things off with 111, followed by Sleeping With Ghosts and Beyond Heaven’s Gate, energy radiated from the band and audience alike. 

Manuel Gardner Fernandes hypnotised with his incredible vocal abilities, whilst prog bass and riffs had the crowd going mental. It didn’t take much convincing from the band for the pits to open up, the crowd spoilt for choice of mind bending breakdowns. It was particularly impressive to see bassist David John Levy picking up vocal sections such as PALEFACE SWISS’ feature in Solara, spitting the lyrics out at rapid fire, before knuckling down into even more intricate riffs.

The general consensus from audience members seemed to be amazement, with people questioning how they hadn’t listed to this band sooner and adding songs to their playlists whilst the band were still on stage. Well, it’s good news for new and old fans alike, as Manuel ended the set with a simple statement - ‘We will be back very soon, I promise’.

With little room to move in the building, it was easy to see the excitement radiating as the final band prepared to grace the stage. 

Leading the charge were guitarists Eugene Kostyuk and Roman Ibramkhalilov, and drummer Vladislav Ulasevish, unleashing the opening of new album title track Duél. A rolling mix of low tuned chords and fast paced symbols took over the venue, creating the perfect entrance for front woman Tatiana Shmayluk. A vision in pink frills and a striking red corset, the atmosphere in the venue instantly switched to awe as this iconic vocalist took centre stage. Known as a powerhouse in the metal scene for her ability to switch from ethereal cleans straight into battering growls, every note throughout the evening was hit to perfection. 

Green Serpent weaved its soulful melody through the room, followed by the punchy Fast Draw. JINJER manage to create heavy hitting and fast paced tracks that just make you want to dance. Audience members bounced around and boogied to their hearts content, feeling every pace change and embracing every note. Onslaughts of crowd surfers took to the air, whilst moshing raged rampant.

Backed up by large LED screens, the band were surrounded by a colourful spectrum of graphics and animations. This added to an already captivating stage show, purely generated from the performers themselves.

Whilst event member of the band was putting their all into the show, it was hard not to be completely mesmerised by Tatiana’s sassy and strong stage presence. Throwing moves and skipping across the stage, she is confidence embodied. Whilst continuing to do justice for and representing women in the current metal scene, she took the time to dedicate Someone’s Daughter to the ladies at the gig, earning a cheer from her counterparts in the crowd. 

The track list of the evening included classics like Teacher, Teacher!, Judgement (& Punishment) and of course Pisces, earning many a loud cheer from the crowd. Concluding with Sit Stay Roll Over, the quartet delivered a pure master class in metal, and proved just why they have become such a powerful name in the alternative genres.

Words and Photos: Izzy Sheldon