JOB FOR A COWBOY „“Ruination””

Music: death metal, deathcore
Country: USA


Cool Songs: March to Global Enslavement, Ruination, Constitutional Masturbation, Psychological Immorality
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/jobforacowboy

One of the hottest bands in the modern metal scene, JOB FOR A COWBOY, returns with its sophomore release “Ruination.” The group’s Metal Blade debut, “Genesis,” caught attention for its punishing mix of death metal and hardcore—a popular style known as deathcore. “Ruination” keeps much of the style established on the debut, displaying a mixture of hardcore breakdowns, Scandinavian death metal and American death metal. The breakdowns are not as obviously, though, each beat maintaining the strenuous beat held throughout the entire album.

“Unfurling a Darkened Gospel” opens the album with a relentless barrage of double bass and quick guitar fretwork. This track sets a precedence that the group doesn’t forsake. The following track “Summon the Hounds” continues this massive aural beat down. JFAC slows the pace near the middle of the album with resonating guitar chords and choppy riffs, but the drums never relinquish the frantic pace. “Psychological Immorality” and “To Detonate and Exterminate” revisit the psychotic speed of the first couple of tracks.

Much of “Ruination” moves at a furious tempo, but the group includes its fair share of time changes. Sure, there are plenty of breakdown moments, but JFAC has really come into its own in this department. They keep the rhythm flowing and have managed to find their own flavor to this worn-out technique. Their speed is undeniable, but JFAC’s finest moments occur during their slower tracks. Not only do these tracks stand out more, they also incorporate elements that instill a darker vibe.

The album’s title track features hulking, deliberate riffing and guitar feedback that helps illustrate the nightmarish visuals realized in this tale of nuclear fallout. Drummer John Rice gets a chance to show his crisp drum acoustics during the song’s introduction. Rice commands the downtrodden pace of “March to Global Enslavement” with swift rolls and machine-gun firing double bass. Haunting guitar leads, diabolically hanging riffs and a trudging pace illuminate the ruling elite’s New World Order plan.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of “Ruination” is JFAC’s lyrical content. The group exposes the dark underbelly of society’s rulers—the rich elite and the governments that serve them—without pointing fingers. Songs about mind control, enslavement, martial law and the destruction of America’s Constitution are not standard fair for death metal groups. Although seemingly based in fiction, these topics are all too real, and the group does a fantastic job of bringing to life these horrors through its brand of extreme metal.

JFAC has already found its niche in today’s metal scene, and the group may find different types of listeners with “Ruination.” Many death metal purists have already written the group off due to its trendy style. The pulverizing sound they have created with “Ruination,” and the dark vibe they present are hard to overlook, though. Plus, the production values of Jason Seucoff and mixing by Fredrik Nordström has created a sound that is both brutal and crisp—something many death bands could benefit from. With an album like “Ruination”, it makes you wonder what kind of job they are offering to a cowboy.

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1. Unfurling a Darkened Gospel
2.Summon the Hounds
3.Constitutional Masturbation
4.Regurgitated Disinformation
5.March to Global Enslavement
6.Butchering the Enlightened
7.Lords of Chaos
8.Psychological Immorality
9.To Detonate and Exterminate
10.Ruination
Total playing time 40:31

Line-up

Jonny Davy – Vocals
Bobby Thompson –
Al Glassman – Guitar
Brent Riggs – Bass
Jon Rice – Drums