Genesis (Job for a Cowboy album)

Genesis
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

Doom
(2005)		 Genesis
(2007)		 Ruination
(2009)
Singles from Genesis
  1. "Embedded"
    Released: May 15, 2007
  2. "Altered from Catechization"
    Released: January 25, 2008
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 remained with the band until October 2013.

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? ”

—Ravi Bhadriraju

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
Production

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

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Bowar, Chad. "Job for a Cowboy - Genesis Review". About.com. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  2. ↑ Mason, Stewart (2007-05-15). "Genesis - Job for a Cowboy". Allmusic. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Alisoglu, Scott. "Job for a Cowboy: Genesis (Metal Blade)". CD Reviews. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
  4. ↑ Begrand, Adrien (2007-08-29). "Job For a Cowboy: Genesis < PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  5. ↑ "Job for a Cowboy confirms guitarist split, prepares to enter studio". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-12-13. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  6. ↑ Job for a Cowboy speaks on origins, new album - A & E
  7. ↑ Sweeney, Brian. "Job for a Cowboy Feature Interview". Blistering. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  8. ↑ "VeriChips Implanted at CityWatcher.com". Compliance and Privacy. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Artist Chart History - Job for a Cowboy > Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  10. ↑ Epstein, Dan. "Interview with Job for a Cowboy". Revolver. Archived from the original on 2008-11-14. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  11. ↑ "Job for a Cowboy's Debut Has "Exceeded Expectations"". Blabbermouth.net (Roadrunner Records). 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2008-08-10.
  12. ↑ Official song listing for the Rock Band series. Retrieved 2009-9-05
  13. ↑ "Top Internet Albums - Job for a Cowboy - Genesis". Billboard.com. 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  14. ↑ "Top Rock Albums - Job for a Cowboy - Genesis". Billboard.com. 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Job for a Cowboy: Genesis U.K. chart positions revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-05-31. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  16. ↑ "Job for a Cowboy: Releases". Metal Blade Records. Retrieved 2008-08-08.