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.
Burning The Altar
YOB Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heavy heart clenched like a fist
Grasping hope with hands in flames
Burning ashes
Burning to the core
Wretched fools suffer fate
In worlds that they made
Wisdom in decay
Burning the altar
Ashes billow across the sky
Burning the altar
Burning the altar
The ignorant rule the weak
With iron law and wrathful deeds
Eyes within eyes
All seeing
All mass delusion
Trumpets to the fall
Hollow psalms
The drums of war
Beating the stretched skin of the fallen
Redirect the vision within now
While the world ends
"Burning The Altar" by YOB is a song with lyrics that express a sense of despair at the state of the world. The opening lines speak of the overwhelming emotions that the singer is experiencing, with burning eyes filled with tears and a heavy heart that is clenched like a fist. The image of grasping hope with hands in flames shows the futility of trying to hold onto something that is already lost. The repetition of the phrase "burning ashes, burning to the core" emphasizes the theme of destruction and reminds us that nothing is permanent.
The second verse shifts the focus to the wider world, with "wretched fools suffering fate in worlds that they made". The line "wisdom in decay" echoes this sentiment, highlighting the lack of foresight and intelligence that has led to the current situation. The chorus, with its repeated phrase "burning the altar", suggests a rejection of established systems of belief and power. The ashes that billow across the sky are a symbol of the destruction that comes when old structures are torn down.
The third verse picks up on this theme, with the "ignorant ruling the weak" and using "iron law and wrathful deeds". The metaphor of "eyes within eyes, all mass delusion" speaks to the way in which people in positions of power can manipulate the truth and create a false reality. The line "trumpets to the fall" suggests that these systems are destined to crumble, but it is unclear what will come after.
Overall, "Burning The Altar" is a song that expresses a deep sense of disillusionment and despair. The singer sees the world around them as broken and corrupt, with hope only leading to disappointment. The repeated phrase "burning the altar" could be seen as a call to action, urging us to tear down old systems and beliefs and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
Burning eyes brim with tears
My eyes filled with tears, as I'm struggling to express my grief.
Heavy heart clenched like a fist
My heart is burdened with pain and clenched like a fist, unwilling to let go of the emotions I'm experiencing.
Grasping hope with hands in flames
Despite the agony, I'm holding onto hope by extending my hands over flames and feeling the heat.
Burning ashes
All that's remaining is the remnants of ashes, as everything has come to an end.
Burning to the core
The intense heat and feelings that I'm experiencing are ravaging my soul to the very core.
Wretched fools suffer fate
Those fools who brought this upon themselves are now doomed to face the consequences of their actions.
In worlds that they made
Their fates are tied to the worlds they've created.
Sand slipping through fingers
Time is running out like sand slipping through fingers - the inevitable end awaits us all.
Wisdom in decay
Even the once wise teachings are decaying, losing their value in the world of chaos.
Burning the altar
The focal point of their worship and devotion is now consumed by flames, reflecting the end of their reign as well.
Ashes billow across the sky
The remnants of their once glorious reign are scattered across the sky like ashes, a reminder of their inevitable downfall.
The ignorant rule the weak
The ignorant have the power to control and manipulate others who are weaker than them.
With iron law and wrathful deeds
They enforce their rule using an iron fist and act with malice towards those who oppose them.
Eyes within eyes
The people who seem to be in power are blinded by their self-interest and are nothing but counterfeit figures.
All seeing
Even though they pretend to be all-seeing and all-knowing, they are blinded by their arrogance and pride.
All mass delusion
The world is caught up in a mass delusion, believing they are following the true way when in fact, they are only blindly following false prophets.
Trumpets to the fall
The sound of trumpets heralds the end, signalling the fall of the deluded world.
Hollow psalms
The supposedly holy words that are being chanted hold no substance, and their meaning has long been forgotten.
The drums of war
The sound of war drums draws closer, signalling the beginning of yet another conflict.
Beating the stretched skin of the fallen
The drums beat relentlessly like the stretched skin of those who have fallen, a reminder of the struggle and suffering they have faced.
Redirect the vision within now
In this time of turmoil, it's crucial to look inward, reflect on our lives and redirect our focus to what truly matters.
While the world ends
Amidst all the chaos and destruction, the world as we know it is coming to an end and there's nothing we can do to stop it.
Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.