Genesis (Job for a Cowboy album)
| Genesis | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Job for a Cowboy | ||||||||||
| Released | May 15, 2007 | |||||||||
| Recorded | Blue Light Audio Media in Phoenix, Arizona | |||||||||
| Genre | Death metal | |||||||||
| Length | 30:47 | |||||||||
| Label | Metal Blade | |||||||||
| Producer | Cory Spotts | |||||||||
| Job for a Cowboy chronology | ||||||||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |   [1] |
| Allmusic |  [2] |
| Blabbermouth.net |    [3] |
| PopMatters | [4] |
Genesis is the debut full-length album by American death metal band Job for a Cowboy. Released on May 15, 2007 through Metal Blade Records, it is their first concept album and is based on possible consequences of the VeriChip, along with the Book of Revelation and apocalyptic theories. It also sees Job for a Cowboy's change into a more straightforward death metal based sound with their previous release, Doom being within the deathcore genre.
Those who pre-ordered the album received signed copies in the days preceding its official release date of May 15, 2007. Genesis is the final release by Job for a Cowboy to feature founding member Ravi Bhadriraju.[5] This album also marked the last time the band would work with drummer Elliot Sellers, who announced that he would be leaving the band immediately after recording to go back to school. He was replaced by Jon Rice for the following tour and remains with the band to this day.
Lyrical themes
| “ | We have nothing against Christians, though. We aren’t a satanic band or anything like that. We just think it’s a cool concept so we ran with it, and I’m glad we did. I’m sure there will be some Christian backlash, but what can you do about it? | ” |
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—Ravi Bhadriraju |
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Genesis is a concept album in which mentions the VeriChip,[6] a radio-frequency identification (RFID) microchip, that is supposed to be implanted under the human skin.[7] The device has generated controversy among certain religious groups, which have become against the possible use of it, as there is a Biblical prophecy where all persons must receive the Mark of the Beast "on their right hand or on their foreheads", described in Book of Revelation 13: 16–18, to participate in economic activity under the government of the Antichrist.[8]
Musical style
Chad Bowar of About.com described the band's musical evolution, saying: "Job for a Cowboy's sound has evolved from deathcore to straight ahead death metal."[1] Bowar also praised the guitarists Ravi Bhadriraju and Bobby Thompson, saying that both have done a "good job at creating innovative riffs and play some quick but skillfull solos."[1]
Critical reception
On the day of the release, the album debuted at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and number 4 for Independent Albums[9] and sold nearly 13,000 copies in its first week, making Genesis the highest-charting heavy metal debut since Slipknot's self-titled record.[10] The music video for "Embedded" was directed by Grammy Award nominated Popcore films.
The album received generally positive reviews, with Kerrang! magazine saying, "an album that quite literally obliterates everyone else currently residing within the death and grind scenes" and "one of the year's most essential metal purchases".[9][11] Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net, praised the album saying that Genesis "is a strong modern death metal release".[3]
The song "Embedded" is available as downloadable content for the Rock Band series.[12]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Job for a Cowboy.
| No. | Title | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bearing the Serpent's Lamb" | 2:50 | |
| 2. | "Reduced to Mere Filth" | 2:58 | |
| 3. | "Altered from Catechization" | 4:15 | |
| 4. | "Upheaval" | 2:35 | |
| 5. | "Embedded" | 3:36 | |
| 6. | "Strings of Hypocrisy" | 2:25 | |
| 7. | "Martyrdom Unsealed" | 2:36 | |
| 8. | "Blasphemy" | 1:42 | |
| 9. | "The Divine Falsehood" | 4:24 | |
| 10. | "Coalescing Prophecy" | 3:26 | |
|
Total length:
|
30:47 | ||
Personnel
- Job for a Cowboy
- Brent Riggs – bass guitar
- Elliot Sellers - drums
- Jonny Davy – vocals
- Bobby Thompson – guitar
- Ravi Bhadriraju – guitar
- Production
- Engineering and production by Cory Spotts
- Mastering and mixed by Andy Sneap
- Artwork and layouts by Dennis Sibeijn
Chart positions
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[9] | 54 |
| US Billboard Independent Albums[9] | 2 |
| US Billboard Top Internet Albums[13] | 25 |
| US Billboard Top Rock Albums[14] | 15 |
| UK Indie Album Chart[15] | 28 |
| UK Rock & Metal Album Chart[15] | 26 |
Release history
| Region | Date | Label | Format | Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | May 15, 2007 | Metal Blade Records[16] | Compact Disc | 3984-14614-2 |
| April 15, 2008 | Vinyl LP | 3984-14614-1 |
References
- ^ a b c Bowar, Chad. "Job for a Cowboy - Genesis Review". About.com. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ^ Mason, Stewart (2007-05-15). "Genesis - Job for a Cowboy". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
- ^ a b Alisoglu, Scott. "Job for a Cowboy: Genesis (Metal Blade)". CD Reviews. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ Begrand, Adrien (2007-08-29). "Job For a Cowboy: Genesis < PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
- ^ "Job for a Cowboy confirms guitarist split, prepares to enter studio". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
- ^ Job for a Cowboy speaks on origins, new album - A & E
- ^ Sweeney, Brian. "Job for a Cowboy Feature Interview". Blistering. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ^ "VeriChips Implanted at CityWatcher.com". Compliance and Privacy. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ^ a b c d "Artist Chart History - Job for a Cowboy > Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ Epstein, Dan. "Interview with Job for a Cowboy". Revolver. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "Job for a Cowboy's Debut Has "Exceeded Expectations"". Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records). 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
- ^ Official song listing for the Rock Band series. Retrieved 2009-9-05
- ^ "Top Internet Albums - Job for a Cowboy - Genesis". Billboard.com. 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2008-08-08.[dead link]
- ^ "Top Rock Albums - Job for a Cowboy - Genesis". Billboard.com. 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2008-08-08.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Job for a Cowboy: Genesis U.K. chart positions revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
- ^ "Job for a Cowboy: Releases". Metal Blade Records. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
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