JOB FOR A COWBOY – Imperium Wolves

Whether you call JFAC a deathcore act or Grindcore outfit or even a straight up technical death metal band one thing they are not is typical.

From there previous releases and 9.years they have continually shown there depth of imagination and creativity always striving it seems to reach a balance between aggression and technicality while creating songs that draw us in and challenge our perceptions of what is extreme.

There are no long sound scapes here or any trademark dark passages where they break down and allow time for some serious inner searching, this song starts relentless and keeps an intense pace throughout, the movement between off beats and double bass led bars is as smooth as ever, never sounding disjointed or lazy, the song meanders along a familiar route for Job for a Cowboy fans but is done with apparent effortless ease.

While there are no slower passages in this song it isn’t just all out aggression as they still find room to put a lot of guitar play over and behind the intense riffing. And the main solo is extremely well crafted, rather than being a case of hit as many notes as you can it has a lot of feel and mood to it, something they do very well with all the guitar harmonies.

A song like this could easily sound too busy and blur but they keep it interesting by finding room to allow the guitars and bass to breathe. There is a new guitarist and bass player on this track but you wouldn’t know it as everything is solid and together. The bass moves very well and adds a nice comparison on the faster riffs with some walking lines in half time. But as this is Nick Schendzielos from Cephalic Carnage the switch is as seamless as expected.

Recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Florida under Jason Seucof the pedigree of that combination is evident in this track. The production is big without being harsh, everything is well rounded and clear but it still has a heavy and authorative thud behind it and that lends itself to the richness that Job for a Cowboy have.

The guitars still crunch while being clear and heavy and the drums purr along with just the right amount of click, never dipping they keep a constant assault while moving between time changes and jazz-esque fills. The vocals don’t overpower and sit up in the front delivering menace and nastiness when required. I have no lyrics for this track but from previous albums and the artwork I am sure certain areas of the world press and US foreign policy will not come out of it favourably.

This is a strong track spitting rage and fury as it goes but still showing a lot of thought and composure. Looking forward to hearing the album.