Now this is an album I've been meaning to get round to for a while. JFAC are best known as a Myspace phenomenon, with umpteen thousand friends and a sickeningly young average age. But this impressive following, youth and admitted technical ability has left them derided as a metal flash in the pan that couldn't possibly have the longevity of older death metal bands who did it the old tape trading, touring way. Now the whole merit of Myspace debate is one I care not to get involved in, as I see both sides of the argument having valid points. Yes it allows any old group of kids with the Internet, some instruments, and the spare time to crack out any old guff but it is also key in the creation and spread of new music, regardless of the genre. The debate will rage on, but as long as music can be spread this way, there's always going to be great finds. Back to the album, there's nothing particularly offensive about it, it has its moments of impressive beatdowns, excellent guitar play and some crushing chugging sections, especially in the opening 'Bearer of the Serpent's Lamb' and 'Martyrdom Unsealed', but such high points are tempered by two completely throwaway instrumental parts that must have seemed important to include because they were a bit 'different', calmer and more eerie. Unfortunately it breaks up the flow and would have been better cast down on the cutting room floor. JFAC are certainly a competent band, there's no doubting the musical ability or the enthusiasm for the product, but its a shame that its not a great product. Job for a Cowboy have some good ideas and there's plenty of potential here for improvement, the players are adept but you can find better modern death metal in the hands of All Shall Perish and Dead Beyond Buried. One for the curious and general listener of death metal, but nothing too captivating for the hardened death-head.
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