In an anticipated reveal, the revered death metal band, JOB FOR A COWBOY, has announced the release of their forthcoming album, ‘Moon Healer,’ set to debut on February 23rd, 2024, via Metal Blade Records. This marks their first full-length release in an astounding decade.
JOB FOR A COWBOY’s return with ‘Moon Healer‘ is nothing short of an intricate blend of raw aggression and creative flair. Drawing parallels with their 2014 lauded release, ‘Sun Eater,’ this latest endeavor showcases a rich musical tapestry, juxtaposing brutal undertones with intriguing concepts.
The fresh lineup, including frontman and co-founder Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman, bassist Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Navene Koperweis, effortlessly embraces the legacy of ‘Sun Eater’ and takes it forward.
Jonny Davy sheds light on the prolonged hiatus, attributing it to personal commitments such as family, other music projects, academic pursuits, and external careers.
He notes, “Fatherhood, additional music projects, academic degrees, and careers outside the band took priority and life’s focus.” However, the bond remained intact, allowing the band to reconvene when the time felt right. Davy reflects, “Everything lined up for us to collaborate on a new project together; it was time to cross the threshold for something new.”
While the album is unequivocally intense, it also presents a thematic consistency, crafted with palpable enthusiasm and conviction.
Davy’s lyrical prowess is evident in tracks such as “Beyond The Chemical Doorway,” “Grinding Wheels Of Ophanim,” and “Into The Crystalline Crypts,” where he draws inspiration from speculative fiction, akin to the styles of Philip K. Dick and Timothy Leary.
Delving into the essence of the album, he remarks, “I envision this as a death metal album born from the mystical confines of an alchemist’s laboratory. The music acts as potent potions, inducing hallucinogenic journeys that unlock the secrets of the universe.”
Moon Healer’s production took place in Sanford, Florida, under the expert guidance of producer Jason Suecof. His association with the band is rooted in a deep understanding of their ethos, making him an indispensable part of their journey.
The inclusion of session drummer Koperweis, known for his collaborations with several notable bands, adds another layer of depth to the album.
Beyond the traditional realm of death metal, ‘Moon Healer’ offers an eclectic blend of musical elements.
The latest single, “The Forever Rot,” for instance, transcends conventional genres, echoing nuances from bands like Obituary, Coroner, Voivod, and Neurosis. It challenges pre-existing perceptions of the band, presenting a fresh perspective that intertwines vocal patterns and melodies in a uniquely evocative manner.
Davy further elaborates on the conceptual framework of ‘Moon Healer,’ revealing it to be a narrative centered around a close friend’s tumultuous journey towards enlightenment, intensified by the excessive use of hallucinogens. This exploration of altered states of consciousness, metaphysical realms, and the human psyche forms the crux of the album.
‘Moon Healer’ will be accessible in CD, digital, and vinyl formats, with a plethora of color variants for vinyl enthusiasts. The track listing offers a diverse range of songs, each contributing to the overarching narrative of the album.
