Job for a Cowboy

Since their inception, Job for a Cowboy have consistently reinvented their style. Cue Gloom, the latest four-track EP and testament to their transition from deathcore to death metal. Their latest release deserves applause for effort, but the Arizona band have a ways to go before shedding the staple blast beats and hardcore-style breakdowns for a riff-heavy, more purist death metal sound. Gloom is a great sample of the new face of JFAC, however, nodding to labelmates the Black Dahlia Murder, in terms of frontman Jonny Davy's vocal delivery and the band's overall quickened tempo. JFAC shed the heavy breakdowns (heard strongly in Ruination) for more technical rhythmic variance. Davy continues to switch his tone from guttural lows to a high pig squeal on command, coupled with improved lightning speed guitar riffs and a spontaneous smattering of well-placed drum and guitar solos, best heard in "Plastic Idols." Gloom also introduces a new band line-up, featuring Nick Schendizielos (Cephalic Carnage) on bass and Tony Sannicandro on guitar. Gloom is sufficient to establish JFAC as a band managing to break from clichés and continuing to grow into whatever they want to become.