Review Summary: From Deathcore to Death Metal. Job For A Cowboy have produced an album that will rip your face off and stomp it into the dirt; here is your warning.
We all know Job For A Cowboy for being a pioneer of Deathcore, but it seems that little is said about their abandonment of the genre almost completely. Since their musical debut with the
Doom EP, Job For A Cowboy have ripened to a mature Death Metal band. Their first full-length album
Genesis is the first chapter in a book of change.
As a concept album,
Genesis tackles prophecies of
The Book of Genesis – which came with a fair share of controversy. Mostly referring to the VeriChip, a story is told about a population who lose freedoms and individuality through said chip, and put trust in the anti-Christ, which in turn – SPOILER ALERT! - leads to their demise. This album is about the story, yet the story is told through minimal lyrics. One thing Davy does that I dislike is that he writes a verse and a chorus, but he recycles the same verse two or three times in the song. It works out in the end, but it seems a tad lazy and lacks creativity.
If you're not ready for it, the opening track 'Bearing The Serpent's Lamb' will hit you hard; heavy, technical, and melodic. Being a song detailing the birthing of the anti-Christ, vocalist Jonny Davy uses typical Death Metal imagery to illustrate the event – but with class. It's not disgusting, but the details are not spared. The intensity of the music gives an idea of the franticness of the happenings. Through Davy's vocals, you can feel the woman writhing in pain as this child is “forcing and pushing outward for decampment of his mother's womb,” As she cries “Why would such a god allow such deep evil?!” This opening track really sets the plot of the album – beings that it is a concept album – and you will get to know this anti-Christ character and his intentions very well.
The main draw of this album is the melody and technicality; what it lacks in lyrics, it makes up for in instrumentals. The stand-out instrument are the drums. Elliott Sellers proved his place in the modern Metal scene by being one of the most solid, technical drummers out there. The drum tracks are fast, creative, and they compliment the other instruments well. The guitarists are constantly belting out melodic riffs throughout every song, yet it is not over-done. The melody on these songs are what draws you into it – they're catchy as Hell. There are two ambient songs on the album that act as bridges connecting the two songs in which they reside between. The silent breaks are a nice addition, as they keep you from turning off the album if you get overwhelmed by, or lose interest in the constant heaviness.
At one point, the story seems out of order. The second song 'Reduced To Mere Filth' describes the world being almost rid of religion, and mass suicide among the religious folk. In my opinion, this should be one of the last songs on the album, but oddly, it is second. After that, the album gets back into order. My personal favorite track on the album is 'Altered From Catechization' – the third track. The chorus is extremely hook-y and heavy. Sellers' double bass drumming sounds like a machine gun, and the guitarists' chugging triplets give it a very heavy feel; something you'll want to mosh to. Not to mention the great lyrics.
The story and vibe of the album continues as is until the second to last track – 'The Divine Falsehood'. This is the slowest tempo song on the album, and arguably one of the heaviest. This is the climax. The song details the rising of the devil, and his judgment passed upon the humans; which sets up the stage for the last song – 'Coalescing Prophecy”. A song about the fate of the mortals as the new world leader takes his throne. When all is said and done, the album ends on a mighty, “Future existent worlds coalesce into one!”
The melodies and brutality of this album will keep you coming back for more and more. Sadly, there are only 10 tracks – only 8 if you count the actual musical tracks. It's not long enough! Anyone willing to give this record a listen will enjoy, or at least respect it the effort put into it.
Genesis kicks ass.
