Job For A Cowboy - Demonocracy

Job For A Cowboy release 'Demonocracy' which cements them as a true Death Metal band and one to be taken seriously.

This is the third full length album from Job For A Cowboy who hail from Glendale, Arizona. It's hard to believe this band have been around for 10 years now, with their Doom EP being the first release I had heard back in 2005. It sure did grab my attention as it was something I hadn't really heard before. One of the real pioneers of the 'Deathcore' genre, they've rid themselves of that title and become straight up Death Metal. With more line-up changes then you can poke a stick at, they've finally found their groove on this new album I feel. 'Demonocracy' offers technical riffs galore, but due to so many bands doing this style of music it can come across as familiar and repetitive. That's not taking anything away from JFAC, they're extremely good at what they do and this album proves it. One of the most impressive things on here are the solos and the memorable, catchy riffs. Jonny Davis continues to be an outstanding vocalist and he really does shine on this album, adapting some almost 'Black Metal' influence to his unique delivery. Davis is definitely one of my personal favourite vocalists in the Death Metal genre and he really does get better and better with each release. They've certainly come a long way since the Doom EP, dropping the breakdowns and pig squeals and some would say it's for the better. I would not have minded if they kept some of those old attributes and used them in moderation however, as I feel they do it very well. 'Demonocracy' isn't a ground breaking album by any means, but it certainly does strengthen the band’s name and shows amazing potential for what they could do for future releases. This album is very technical, but not technical enough to make the listener wonder 'What's going on? What just happened?' I do hope they try not to become to over the top with the technicality on future albums, it can be a little too much. Another thing I love about this album is the subtle 'Black Metal' sound it has; it's not all over the album, but its there, like on tracks such as 'Nourishment Through Bloodshed' and 'The Manipulation Stream'.

As a band that I've followed and supported since their 2005 debut, this new album is very well received and I'm extremely happy with what Job For A Cowboy have become. If you like Death Metal or are just starting to get into it, this album should satisfy your needs. A solid effort once again, and it seems that for a band who have been labelled a 'joke' at times, they're taking the reigns for modern Death Metal leaders.

Standout track: Imperium Wolves, Children Of Deceit, Black Discharge.

7.5/10