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.
Exorcism of the Host
YOB Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Darkness and the light entwined
No chance for mercy and salvation
Endless struggle for dominance
Oil and water
Fuel for the slaughter
Breeds remorse and breeds regret
Burn the bridges to feed the wolves
Cannot find solace in this state
Duel nature of the possession
Reaching for heaven finding hell
Oil and water
Fuel for the slaughter
Breeds remorse and breeds regret
The false prophets scream their disease
All right-the inner war begins
Clear sight-past an future dead
In the eyes-delivered from dispair
In the all-the host be banned and broken
All right-the self takes charge of thee
Clear sight-the truth is clear to see
In the eyes-the rigpa is dawning
In the all-for once a true life begins
Within. Within
Set free
One for man, one for the all
One for peace buried in earth
One for souls who pray for mercy
Cannot feel any pain
In the darkness on knees and crawl
Trying to find the way out of the mental maze
Pursued by the ghosts of what is and what will be
To escape the iron will of the host
The lyrics of YOB's song "Exorcism of the Host" describe a struggle within oneself between darkness and light, with no chance for mercy or salvation. The metaphor of oil and water not mixing is used to represent the endless struggle for dominance between conflicting forces. False prophets scream their disease, adding to the confusion and torment of the inner war that has begun.
The singer is unable to find solace in this state and is reaching for heaven but is finding hell. The dual nature of possession is causing turmoil, and it seems impossible to ban and break the hold of the host. However, there is hope as the self takes charge and the truth becomes clear. There is a way to be set free from the mental maze and the ghosts of the past and the future that pursue.
The lyrics suggest that the only way to overcome the inner darkness and turmoil is to confront it head-on and take control. It is a painful and difficult process, but ultimately it leads to a true life beginning. The theme of the song is universal, as everyone struggles with inner demons at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Can't hide the darkness within
The darkness within cannot be suppressed
Darkness and the light entwined
The struggle between darkness and light is ongoing
No chance for mercy and salvation
There is no opportunity for forgiveness or redemption
Endless struggle for dominance
The battle for power is unending
Oil and water
Two things that do not mix
Fuel for the slaughter
Part of what enables the violence and destruction
Breeds remorse and breeds regret
Results in feelings of guilt and shame
The false prophets scream their disease
Those who claim to offer guidance are actually spreading corruption
Burn the bridges to feed the wolves
Destroying the connections that sustain us often leads to disaster
Cannot find solace in this state
There is no comfort or relief in this situation
Duel nature of the possession
Being controlled by conflicting forces
Reaching for heaven finding hell
Attempting to improve one's circumstances but only making things worse
All right-the inner war begins
The internal battle commences
Clear sight-past an future dead
The memory of what has happened and expectation of what is to come are meaningless
In the eyes-delivered from dispair
Finding hope through insight
In the all-the host be banned and broken
The entity that controls us is expelled and destroyed
All right-the self takes charge of thee
Regaining control of oneself
Clear sight-the truth is clear to see
The reality becomes evident
In the eyes-the rigpa is dawning
The spiritual awareness is developing
In the all-for once a true life begins
A genuine existence can commence
Set free
Being released from bondage
One for man, one for the all
Two different paths to follow
One for peace buried in earth
The pursuit of tranquility often results in tragedy
One for souls who pray for mercy
A glimmer of hope for those who seek salvation
Cannot feel any pain
No longer experiencing suffering
In the darkness on knees and crawl
Feeling helpless and desperate
Trying to find the way out of the mental maze
Attempting to escape a confusing and chaotic mental state
Pursued by the ghosts of what is and what will be
Haunted by memories and anxieties
To escape the iron will of the host
Trying to break free from the entity that controls and oppresses
Contributed by Connor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.