Hailing from the ever-gray skies of Eugene, OR, USA comes YOB, a band already well on their way to make their mark in the doom metal scene worldwide. Formed in 1996 by founding member Mike Scheidt, YOB started creating and destroying ideas that would become the foundation for one of doom metal’s most shining hopefuls.
The first three song self-titled demo was submitted to Stonerrock.com in 1999, sending shockwaves into the stoner rock/doom scene worldwide. This demo was a bold statement of intent: uncompromising heavy doom metal. Within YOB's sound, which is equal parts Sleep, Burning Witch, Neurosis, High On Fire and Electric Wizard, YOB has accomplished song craft that is as much their own sound as it is paying homage to the doom metal greats of both times of yore and present.
In 2001 YOB recorded its first full-length record for 12th Records in Spokane, Washington titled Elaborations Of Carbon. This offering received dozens of rave reviews from magazines and fans worldwide, securing YOB's place as one of the best doom metal bands in the scene today. The Lollipop Magazine review of Elaborations of Carbon says, "Six mighty songs of beautiful doom-laden sound, full and expansive. Inverted, hanging riffs, Melvenoid spacey trudging, Tab-esque motion, and a deep well of compositional creativity...only a complete dupe would say this isn't a good one".
2002 saw YOB secure a recording contract with Lunasound/Abstract Sounds. Their first CD for this label, Catharsis, hit the streets worldwide November 4th, 2003. Featuring a stronger production and three songs clocking in at 50 minutes, those who have heard it proclaim it is the best YOB record yet.
Kicking Doors In
YOB's third full length release The Illusion of Motion was a bold statement of utterly mammoth proportions. Released on label heavyweight Metal Blade Records, the band was handpicked by legendary Brian Slagle. With this newfound support, YOB was introduced to a much wider audience and garnered much attention for this record's unheard of approach to the doom metal genre. One just needs to listen to the track Exorcism of the Host to instantly recognize that the band was head and shoulders above their metal brethren. Following the release of the album, YOB went on to headline a tour through May and June.
The End of the Road
In 2005 the band released their most ambitious and most accomplished studio production yet, entitled The Unreal Never Lived. The hypnotic pound-everyone riffing remained while at the same time they pushed the envelope of Doom Metal to its maximum capacity. Classics such as Grasping Air stomped in such a crushing way as to make one check the yard for dinosaurs. The album also explored dynamics and progression unheard of before on cuts like Kosmos. Doom fans and Metalheads alike the world over were turning their undivided attention to this entity seemingly trapped out of time. But unfortunately as the old saying goes, "All that we build, all that is destroyed."
In a press release dated January 10th, 2006:
"This is Mike from YOB. I regret to say that YOB is disbanding after almost 10 years of existence. The time we spent with YOB exceeded our wildest expectations and hopes and it has truly been a dream come true. Travis Foster and Isamu Sato left the band in July, and I have been trying to decide what to do for the last six months. YOB has had 3 other line-ups, but this one was the best. At the end of the day the best thing for YOB is to call it a day. I want to thank everyone who has been supportive to YOB over the years....labels, bands, fans, the venues, our families....without you none of this would have been possible. I will be working on a new band called AGE that will very much be in the vein of YOB, with some new twists. Until then, be well and stay HEAVY! ENDLESS DOOM!!!" - Mike (YOB)
The follow-up band, Middian, disbanded after numerous legality issues. They only released one album, "Age Eternal". After this, in 2008, the band has reformed and has confirmed the recording of a new album to be released in Summer 2009.
The Great Cessation album, by YOB, has been released in July 14th 2009. It is absolutely one of the heaviest albums yet, and this band is great live.
There is also another artist called yoB.
yoB (with a capital B) A Songer Singwriter from Hackney. With songs that cover heartbreak, paternity leave, make-up and immoral support. Look out for the New E.P 'A Boys Eye View' coming to an illegal file sharing site near you.....
For the next year. At the end of every month. yoB will be releasing a free piece of music. Limited to 200 downloads. Available from www.yobmusic.bandcamp.com.
Adrift in the Ocean
YOB Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the sea
Raging current
Pulls us under
Fighting for air
Scream for release
As colors dance and weave
A reflection
Adrift in the ocean
Colors take hold
Shadows take shape
Shimmering
Neutral substratum
Vast without end
Our heart's evolution
Dreams of gods
Of us
Of the fall
Dreams of mountains
We feel
To the marrow
To commune
With what we lost
The song "Adrift in the Ocean" by YOB speaks about the power of the sea and its ability to pull us in, much like a siren's call. The lyrics describe how the raging current takes hold of us, and we fight to stay afloat and breathe as colors dance and weave around us. The second stanza talks about how we send a reflection to the universe, indicating that we are part of a greater cosmic entity. The song speaks about being adrift in the ocean, where shadows take shape, and colors hold us tight. The vastness of the ocean reminds us of our own heart's evolution and how we need to embrace and value every moment of our lives.
The final stanza speaks about the dreams that we have of the gods, of ourselves, and of the mighty mountains. These dreams inspire our being and enable us to connect with what we have lost. The song concludes that we need to come together and commune with all the energies around us to understand the essence of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Siren's call
The allure and seduction of the ocean that draws the singer in.
From the sea
The origin of the siren's call, as it is coming from the deep, mystery-filled ocean.
Raging current
The strong and powerful force of the ocean that can overpower and control the singer's movements.
Pulls us under
The dangerous and life-threatening consequence of being caught within the ocean's unforgiving grasp.
Fighting for air
The struggle to survive within the powerful current and maintain breath.
Scream for release
The desire to be free from the treacherous circumstances that the ocean has pulled the singer into.
As colors dance and weave
The beautiful and surreal experience of being submerged in the ocean, despite the danger and fear.
To the universe we send
The idea of the artist sending a message out to the universe, likely in the form of the music itself or the emotions conveyed through it.
A reflection
The message sent to the universe is a reflection of the artist's current state and experience.
Adrift in the ocean
The feeling of being lost and without control in the vast, endless sea.
Colors take hold
The vibrant colors and richness present within the ocean take over the singer's senses and attention.
Shadows take shape
The darker, mysterious, and dangerous elements of the ocean become more apparent and present within the artist's experience.
Shimmering
The beauty and wonder of the ocean, even in its dangerous and unpredictable state.
Neutral substratum
The foundation and underlying force of the ocean, which remains constant and unchanging despite the unpredictable nature of the waves and currents above it.
Vast without end
The endless and seemingly infinite expanse of the ocean.
Our heart's evolution
The impact that the unknown and overwhelming experience of the ocean has on the artist's emotions and identity.
Dreams of gods
The desire and temptation to reach towards a higher power or force, likely in the form of the ocean itself, in order to better understand its power and place within it.
Of us
The personal and individual journey that the singer takes through this experience of being submerged in the ocean.
Of the fall
The idea of surrendering and succumbing to the power of the ocean, despite the dangers that come with it.
Dreams of mountains
The contrasting desire towards stability and solid ground, which the mountains symbolize.
We feel
The intense emotions and physical sensations that come with submitting oneself to the ocean's power.
To the marrow
The depths of the artist's body, mind, and spirit that are affected by the experience of being submerged in the ocean.
To commune
The idea of connecting with something greater than oneself, which the ocean represents to the singer.
With what we lost
The longing to connect with something that has been lost, which the artist may or may not find within the ocean's embrace.
Writer(s): Mike S.
Contributed by Jacob C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Landonmoto39
I worked construction with Aaron Rieseberg’s dad in Salem Oregon and as much of a metalhead as I am, I had vaguely heard of this band until a conversation sparked up one day at work about how much I love the band Tool....His dad said “my son is in a band that opened for Tool a few times”, I almost didn’t believe it at first but it made me look up this band and I’ve loved them ever since....good music has a way of finding you....
@trevordotto3729
Funny, I found these guys when I saw them open for Tool. Don’t remember what year it was. They were the only opening band. Wife and I were pretty fucking high on mushrooms and I remember telling her that I need to find out who they are. Been in my top 5 fav bands ever since.
@Landonmoto39
@Trevor Dotto you have good taste in music sir
@trevordotto3729
As do you. And you are right, great music always has a way of finding you.
@spike7038
Finding out about Yob when you’re on the tools putting in work…. Wholesome as fuck. Love that shit brother….
@MK_Ultra91
YOB>Tool
Tool just tends to remake the same song over and over. They are actually quite boring...especially live. Saw them in Portland years ago when my Gf bought tickets as a surprise BD gift. Tool fans had no clue what Fantomas were, who opened, and that in itself shows the level of "toolshed" they can become...anyone that can claim to love music, metal in this case, and boo King Buzzo and Dave Lombardo off the stage are a feckless bunch. We left 5 songs in. They all blurred together. As any quasi-pretentious Tool fans biggest go to goes: "you just don't understand"
They were/are right...I don't understand the adoration or the worship, because I fully grasp music of all kinds. Sure, Danny can mash...but its wasted talent in probably the most overated act in existence and their best material was their very first EP. The rest is pretension defined because they clicked with a bunch of lazy kids who were moved by their first exposure to progressive chords, and went WHOA...when progressive bands have been around since music was being made.
@ericp4169
This is probably the best Yob live vid I've ever seen. Fantastic tune, performance, setting, and capture -- even with the bass cutting around 10:45; but then they're all smiles. Totally flowed with it. All 3 of them were in perfect harmony here.
So crushed that Travis isn't with them anymore.
@elgut7426
The girl to the side of the stage is high as balls while listening to this and i envy her for that
@drunkenbunkerpodcast4490
Same
@waynealderman1921
I love how Sir Davos is working the pit.