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.
Breathing From the Shallows
YOB Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sharpened razor's edge
Burst at the seems
Fit to be tied tried and defied
There's no better time to die
Where you going with your pride?
Face made of iron
Take for granted where you were born
For the air you breathe
As if it was yours
Quiet desperation makes you want to scream
With eyes like magnets
Ambition like cancer
Stomach like a drain
Never content
You can take enough to kill the pain
Imploded narcissus
Creating the false prophets
Grinding teeth
Shallow breath
Strangled from the inside
Man becomes the ghost of his own creations
Until he learns to swallow
This molten world of pain
The lyrics of YOB's Breathing From the Shallows are a reflection on the human condition, particularly on the negative traits that we as a society possess. The first verse talks about greed and how it can lead individuals to become unraveled and out of control. The use of a razor's edge as a metaphor for this unstable behavior is interesting because it suggests that the actions we take when driven by greed are destructive and self-harmful. The line "There's no better time to die" is an ominous reminder that our actions have consequences, and when we are consumed by our own negative qualities, that could potentially lead to our demise.
The second verse focuses on pride and how it can trap us. The image of a "face made of iron" and a "heart locked inside" suggests that pride can make us cold and unapproachable. The line "Take for granted where you were born, for the air you breathe as if it was yours" critiques our lack of gratitude for the things we have been given without earning. The frustration in the song is palpable when it accuses humanity of being never content and always wanting more.
The chorus of the song provides an outlet for those feeling this frustration. The "quiet desperation" the singer is feeling makes them want to scream because they see the ambition and greed in others like a cancer, slowly taking over and "strangling" us from the inside. The lyrics suggest that this greedy, narcissistic behavior creates false prophets who proclaim their own greatness and the greatness of their creations, ultimately leading to the destruction of themselves and the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Where you going with your greed?
What's your end goal with your insatiable desire for more?
Sharpened razor's edge
The danger of being consumed by your own ambition
Burst at the seems
The unsustainable pressure created by the pursuit of more
Fit to be tied tried and defied
Overcoming obstacles and pushing boundaries to achieve success
There's no better time to die
The ultimate sacrifice some are willing to make for their ambition
Where you going with your pride?
Is your pride leading you to success or downfall?
Face made of iron
A facade of strength hiding vulnerability
Heart locked inside
Emotional detachment due to the focus on success
Take for granted where you were born
Failing to appreciate privilege and opportunity
For the air you breathe
The things we take for granted that are essential for life
As if it was yours
Failing to acknowledge the role of chance and circumstance in life
Quiet desperation makes you want to scream
The internal pressures and anxieties that come with ambition
With eyes like magnets
The all-consuming nature of ambition
Ambition like cancer
The potentially destructive nature of unchecked ambition
Stomach like a drain
The emptiness that accompanies greed and ambition
Never content
The constant striving for more, resulting in never feeling satisfied
You can take enough to kill the pain
The self-destructive behavior that may accompany ambition to cope with pressure
Imploded narcissus
The self-obsession and ego-inflation that can come with success
Creating the false prophets
The idolization and glorification of those with high levels of success
Grinding teeth
The physical pain that accompanies the emotional pressure of ambition
Shallow breath
The difficulty breathing, a symptom of the anxiety that can come with ambition
Strangled from the inside
The negative effects on mental and emotional health due to unchecked ambition
Man becomes the ghost of his own creations
The consequences of neglecting one's own well-being for the sake of ambition
Until he learns to swallow
The need to acknowledge and overcome one's own weaknesses in order to achieve true success
This molten world of pain
The world can be harsh and unforgiving, and the road to success can come at a great cost
Contributed by Sophia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
José Augusto dos Santos
MUITO, MUITO BOM. GOSTEI !!
svoboda simon
yob is bo doom. they created their own sound like neurosis and few others. respect.
ANDREY LUSS
Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal - YOB \m/
svoboda simon
wtf this is amazing
Ryan El Besco
it is yob. Yob is love.
chriscookchef
Just saw this live in Portland a couple nights ago. Absolutely fucking crushing 🔥🔥🔥
Mikes vocals are better than ever.
Fluid Show
"Another Yob re-release? Cool. That art's killer. I Might check it ou-" 2 Bonus Tracks "AAAAAAHHHHHHH"
nedviznosti skopje
great song... reminds me a little of roots bloody roots by sepultura
James Quirk
Dag for a minute I thought a new Yob was coming out
svoboda simon
yes i wanted to state the same. enjoy guys