Graveyard Cowboys

Neuropathia may know how to rock the fuck out but still make excellent extreme metal better than any other band in the scene today. I don't think anything can explain the consistently great quality of the band's work other than raw talent; these guys just know how to make riff after neck-snapping riff, and moreover, how to write songs that stick to the listener's brain and leave you wanting to throw one of their discs on over and over again. 'Graveyard Cowboys', Neuropathia's first work, is admittedly not quite as strong as the others; it still reflects a somewhat embryonic sounds for the band that would really grow up a lot on 'Satan Is A Cunt', but I would still wager that it's a hell of a lot better than most modern death/grind, and a good deal more memorable, too. If you enjoy any other Neuropathia work, there's no reason you shouldn't pick this up- just keep your expectations a shade lower than normal and you'll be pleased.

'Graveyard Cowboys' has all the delightful don't-give-a-fuck swagger that defines Neuropathia's sound, but the implementation of that sound is a little choppier than on later releases. This is the most purely death/grind of any of the band's albums; while they would later introduce more and more rock'n'roll and oldschool punk to their sound, this is more of a standard Dead Infection/Squash Bowels style Polish death/grind album with some major influences from those styles. The most notable thing is how little there is in the way of melodic elements; the title track is about the only cut on this record with some significant lead guitar work, while most of the rest of the release is content to blast and grind (and occasionally rock) through the remaining tracks. It's a much more one-dimensional release than others by the band, but it's not hugely to the detriment of the album.

The weak link, surprisingly enough, are the vocals, which aren't nearly the fantastic multi-dimensional assault of later recordings. There's not as many styles going on, and what styles are there are a lot weaker than their counterparts on later albums; not as refined or perhaps not tucked into the production as well, they're the primary thing which makes this not the album that 'Satan Owns Your Stereo' or others are. Fortunately, the music is strong enough that this isn't especially noticeable; the riffcraft is strong, the production is clear and powerful, and overall this music is delivered almost as well as it is on the other releases.

While this is likely the band's weakest album, 'Graveyard Cowboys' is still quite a strong release, if reduced in stature by its proximity to other, better works. It's still great for any fans of blast'n'roll death/grind, just don't expect the world.