Posted in Whathaveyou on December 19th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Here’s a nifty thought to make your day a little brighter: YOB touring with Voivod on a co-headlining run with support from Amenra. Just to put a check on it, it’s the outfit who defined and continue to reinvent cosmic doom, the band who innovated nerdism in heavy metal and proved that thrash could be progressive, and Europe’s leading purveyor of post-metal. This is not a minor tour. It’s not even the kind of tour you talk about later. It’s the kind of tour that, if you know, you were there, and that’s it. Some experiences don’t need words. “You were at that show?” “Yeah.” And so on.
YOB of course go in support of earlier-2018’s Our Raw Heart (review here), which if the results thus far of the Year-End Poll (add your list!) are anything to go by, yes, you already knew that. Voivod and Amenra have releases too, but really, even if none of them had put out a record in five years, wouldn’t this still be an astounding bill? Yes, yes it would.
Dates are presented by Nanotear and are as follows:
Spring 2019: Yob + Voivod + Amenra
03.26 Minneapolis MN Fine Line 03.27 Chicago IL Thalhia Hall 03.28 Columbus OH Ace of Cups 03.29 Cleveland OH Grog Shop 03.30 Toronto ON Phoenix 03.31 Buffalo NY Town Ballroom 04.02 Portland ME Geno’s 04.03 Boston MA Royale 04.04 Brooklyn NY Warsaw 04.05 Philadelphia PA Union Transfer 04.06 Richmond VA Broadberry 04.07 Raleigh NC Kings 04.09 Knoxville TN Concourse (Co-presented with American Icon) 04.10 Atlanta GA Masquerade / Hell 04.11 New Orleans LA One Eyed Jack’s 04.12 Houston TX Warehouse Studios 04.13 Austin TX Barracuda 04.14 Dallas TX Gas Monkey 04.16 Denver CO Marquis Theater* 04.18 Mesa AZ Club Red+ 04.19 San Diego CA Brick by Brick w/ Monolord+ + = YOB only * = no Voivod
YOB is: Mike Scheidt – Guitar, Vocals Aaron Rieseberg – Bass Travis Foster – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on September 28th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
So, unless they post a new video or something or start announcing their inevitable Spring 2019 plans, this is probably the last time I’ll post about YOB before we get to the year-end lists in December. I feel compelled to point out the fact that they’re fucking amazing. Fact? Yes. Fact. It’s established. It’s not like gravity, which is a theory just waiting to be disproved. It’s a fact. Undeniable. They’re a special band. They’re almost certainly the best of their generation, and the innovations in style and form they’ve brought to doom have only made it and listeners richer for their advent. I’m sorry. If you can’t dig on YOB, I’ve got nothing for you.
I guess that’s what I want to say about it. Their latest album, Our Raw Heart (review here), well, if you haven’t heard it, it’s down there at the bottom of this post. But you’ve heard it. I’m actually dying to get to the year-end poll and see how they do against the behemoth that is Sleep. I think they’ve got a shot.
Either way, YOB will round out their year doing what they’ve done a whole lot of in 2018 already: touring. And hey, look at that! The West Coast stint is presented by Gimme Radio, which is a thing I’m on. Good to see the name getting out there, especially on something it’s so easy to wholeheartedly endorse.
Poster and info from the PR wire:
YOB: Announce End of 2018 West Coast Tour Dates; European Headlining Tour Begins Next Week
Our Raw Heart is out now on CD/2xLP/Deluxe 2xLP Boxset/CS/Digital
YOB returns to North American highways once more before the end of 2018, adding a half-dozen date trek up and down the North American West Coast including a performance Decibel Magazine’s Metal & Beer Fest on Dec. 2 at the Wiltern. Gimme Radio presents the non-Decibel shows.
The new round of tour dates are:
December 1 San Francisco, CA Slim’s ^ December 2 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern (Decibel Metal & Beer Fest) December 5 Seattle, WA Neumo’s # December 7 Vancouver, BC Astoria # December 8 Bellingham, WA Shakedown # December 9 Portland, OR Star Theatre #^
# – with Thrones ^ – with Khorada
The dates follow an extensive European tour, which kicks off next week in Germany and includes an Oct. 13 performance at Desertfest.
YOB Tour Dates: October 5 to November 13 w/ Wiegedood (except *)
October 5 Karlsruhe, Germany Jubez October 6 Nijmegen, Netherlands Soulcrusher October 7 Bristol, UK The Fleece October 9 Glasgow, UK Stereo October 10 Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club October 11 Manchester, UK Gorilla October 13 Antwerp, Belgium Desertfest * October 14 Cologne, Germany Gebaeude9 October 16 Hamburg, Germany Molotow Club October 17 Copenhagen, Denmark Vega October 18 Gothenburg, Sweden Sticky Fingers October 19 Stockholm, Sweden Kraken October 20 Oslo, Norway Blä October 21 Helsingfors, Finland Tavastia * October 23 Paris, France Petit Bain October 24 Feyzin, France L’Epicerie Moderne October 25 Cenon, France Le Rocher De Palmer October 26 Bilbao, Spain Santana 27 October 27 Porto, Portugal Hard Club October 28 Madrid, Spain Caracol October 29 Barcelona, Spain Boveda October 31 Langenthal, Switzerland Old Capitol November 1 Milan, Italy Santeria Social Club November 2 Bologna, Italy Freakout Club November 3 Martigny, Switzerland Caves Du Manoir November 4 Bregenz, Austria Between November 6 Vienna, Austria Arena November 7 Budapest, Hungary Robot November 8 Leipzig, Germany UT Connewitz November 9 Warsaw, Poland Hydrozagadka November 10 Kraków, Poland Soulstone Gathering Festival November 11 Berlin, Germany Musik & Frieden November 13 Athens, Greece Kyttaro Live Club *
YOB is: Mike Scheidt – Guitar, Vocals Aaron Rieseberg – Bass Travis Foster – Drums
Posted in Bootleg Theater on September 13th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
It’s been a full week since YOB released the video below, and I’ll admit I held off posting it basically because I didn’t go to the show where it was filmed and of everything I either attended or didn’t this summer, missing YOB probably stings the most. Actually, Portugal stings the most, but YOB at Le Poisson Rouge are a close second. You see, I was there in 2011 the last time they played that room, and they were of course incredible. I’ve seen YOB numerous times since then, but this show had the kind of vibe of being the NYC arrival party for their new album, Our Raw Heart (review here), and in addition to feeling like I should be there on account of that, I wanted to be. It’s fucking YOB. I remember a time when they were never going to play again. Every show since is a gift.
What finally tipped the balance and got me to get over myself and post it was reading that it was filmed by Frank Huang. Frank‘s work has always been top notch and worth highlighting whenever possible, and the clip for “Original Face” that follows here is no exception to that. It’s an exciting performance-capture that’s briskly edited and doesn’t need to be overdone to showcase the impact of YOB live. For everyone who’s seen them before, it’s a reminder of what a special band they are live, and for anyone who hasn’t, it’s a compelling argument to get off your ass next time. I hope to do precisely that when next given the opportunity. I’m also holding out hope they’ll be added to Roadburn next year and make a return there, but I haven’t heard anything either way as yet.
In the meantime, the three-piece of guitarist/vocalist Mike Scheidt, bassist Aaron Rieseberg and drummer Travis Foster are wrapping a quick West Coast run with Acid King and CHRCH, and next month they head to Europe to tour with Wiegedood and hit several festivals along the way on the extended trek. You’ll find those dates below, and if you’re anywhere near where they’re going to be, even if you’ve seen them multiple times before, go. If you don’t, you’ll regret it later. Trust me.
Enjoy the clip:
YOB, “Original Face” official video
YOB, who recently released their critically-acclaimed album, Our Raw Heart, share a live video for “Original Face.”
The clip was directed by Frank Huang (Maximum Volume Silence) and filmed at New York’s Le Poisson Rouge.
YOB Tour Dates: US WEST COAST TOUR w/ ACID KING & CHRCH September 13 Phoenix, AZ Club Red September 14 San Diego, CA Brick by Brick September 15 Oakland, CA Metro
FALL EUROPEAN TOUR DATES w/ WIEGEDOOD Oct 05 Karlsruhe, DE Jubez Oct 06 Nijmegen, NL Soulcrusher Festival Oct 07 Bristol, UK The Fleece Oct 09 Glasgow, UK Stereo Oct 10 Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club Oct 11 Manchester, UK Gorilla Oct 12 London, UK The Garage Oct 13 Antwerp, BE Desertfest Belgium (No Wiegedood) Oct 14 Koln, DE Gebaeude9 Oct 16 Hamburg, DE Molotow Club Oct 17 Copenhagen, DK Vega Oct 18 Gothenburg, SE Sticky Fingers Oct 19 Stockholm, SE Kraken Oct 20 Oslo, NO Bla Oct 21 Helsinki, FI Tavastia (no Wiegedood) Oct 23 Paris, FR Petit Bain Oct 24 Feyzin, FR L’Epicerie Moderne Oct 25 Cenon, FR Le Rocher De Palmer Oct 27 Porto, PT Hard Club Oct 28 Madrid, ES Caracol Oct 29 Barcelona, ES Boveda Oct 31 Langenthal, CH Old Capitol Nov 01 Milan, IT Santeria Social Club Nov 02 Bologna, IT Freakout Club Nov 03 Martigny, CH Caves Du Manoir Nov 04 Bregenz, AT Between Nov 06 Vienna, AT Arena Nov 07 Budapest, HU Robot Nov 08 Leipzig, DE UT Connewitz Nov 09 Warsaw, PL Hydrozagadka Nov 10 Krakow, PL Soulstone Gathering Festival Nov 11 Berlin, DE Musik & Frieden Nov 13 Athens, GR Kyttaro Live Club (no Wiegedood)
Dec 01 Los Angeles, CA Decibel Metal & Beer Festival
YOB is: Mike Scheidt – Guitar, Vocals Aaron Rieseberg – Bass Travis Foster – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on July 4th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
It a little bit broke my heart to miss YOB when they came through last week. They were in New York, I was in Connecticut. It would’ve been at least 90 minutes in the car, but at the end of that trip, I’d have seen YOB on their first run through supporting their new album, Our Raw Heart (review here), with direct support from Bell Witch and Philly’s own Heavy Temple rounding out the bill. That’s a fucking awesome show. But, you know, baby stuff. I’d been to a fest the weekend prior. Taking care of my wife’s sister’s kids. So on and so forth. But yeah, that one stung a little bit to miss. I don’t feel that way nearly about as many shows as I used to, but I for sure did about that one.
YOB, of course, have a fuck-ton of tour dates coming up, and more are being added. They’ll wrap up the stint with Bell Witch next week, then there are shows in September with Acid King and CHRCH which is a bill so righteous it makes me want to price flights to Albuquerque, and then a full European tour with Wiegedood that picks up in October. Then they’re at the West Coast Decibel Metal and Beer Fest in Los Angeles in December. Next year? Probably more touring, if I had to guess. Anyone remember when YOB didn’t tour? That used to be a thing. Now they’re like a Relapse band or something. Ha.
Overwhelming list follows, courtesy of the PR wire:
YOB: Announce Fall European Headlining Tour Dates
Our Raw Heart is out now on CD/2xLP/Deluxe 2xLP Boxset/CS/Digital
Oregon cosmic trio YOB announce Fall European headlining tour dates throughout October and November. The band will be touring in support of the recently released full-length album Our Raw Heart. Belgium’s Wiegedood will provide direct support throughout the tour. A full list of confirmed tour dates is available below.
YOB’s Our Raw Heart is out now on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages are available via Relapse.com HERE and Digital Downloads / Streaming Services HERE.
YOB w/ Bell Witch remaining dates: July 04 Toronto, ON @ Mod Club July 06 Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre July 07 Detroit, MI @ El Club July 08 Chicago, IL @ Reggies July 10 St. Paul, MN @ Club July 11 Omaha, NE @ Lookout Lounge July 12 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre July 13 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge July 14 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
— All Dates Sept 6 – Sept 15th w/ Acid King & Chrch — Sep 06 Sacramento, CA Harlow’s Sep 07 Santa Cruz, CA Catalyst Atrium Sep 08 Pioneertown, CA Pappy & Harriet’s Sep 09 Los Angeles, CA Teragram Sep 12 Albuquerque, NM Sister Sep 13 Phoenix, AZ Club Red Sep 14 San Diego, CA Brick By Brick Sep 15 Oakland, CA Metro
YOB FALL EUROPEAN TOUR DATES w/ WIEGEDOOD: Oct 05 Karlsruhe, DE Jubez Oct 06 Nijmegen, NL Soulcrusher Festival Oct 07 Bristol, UK The Fleece Oct 09 Glasgow, UK Stereo Oct 10 Leeds, UK Brudenell Social Club Oct 11 Manchester, UK Gorilla Oct 12 London, UK The Garage Oct 13 Antwerp, BE Desertfest Belgium (No Wiegedood) Oct 14 Koln, DE Gebaeude9 Oct 16 Hamburg, DE Molotow Club Oct 17 Copenhagen, DK Vega Oct 18 Gothenburg, SE Sticky Fingers Oct 19 Stockholm, SE Kraken Oct 20 Oslo, NO Bla Oct 21 Helsinki, FI Tavastia (no Wiegedood) Oct 23 Paris, FR Petit Bain Oct 24 Feyzin, FR L’Epicerie Moderne Oct 25 Cenon, FR Le Rocher De Palmer Oct 27 Porto, PT Hard Club Oct 28 Madrid, ES Caracol Oct 29 Barcelona, ES Boveda Oct 31 Langenthal, CH Old Capitol Nov 01 Milan, IT Santeria Social Club Nov 02 Bologna, IT Freakout Club Nov 03 Martigny, CH Caves Du Manoir Nov 04 Bregenz, AT Between Nov 06 Vienna, AT Arena Nov 07 Budapest, HU Robot Nov 08 Leipzig, DE UT Connewitz Nov 09 Warsaw, PL Hydrozagadka Nov 10 Krakow, PL Soulstone Gathering Festival Nov 11 Berlin, DE Musik & Frieden Nov 13 Athens, GR Kyttaro Live Club (no Wiegedood)
Dec 01-02 Los Angeles, CA Decibel Metal & Beer Fest
One sincerely doubts the band thinks about it this way, but YOB‘s eighth album, Our Raw Heart, arrives at a pivotal moment for the band. Not only does it mark their debut on Relapse Records after outings on Neurot Recordings and Profound Lore — one might argue it’s their highest-profile release since 2004’s The Illusion of Motion and 2005’s The Unreal Never Lived (discussed here), which was issued via Metal Blade — but it’s the point at which they must answer the question of where to go after 2014’s Clearing the Path to Ascend (review here), which was not only a landmark for the Eugene, Oregon, three-piece themselves, but for the genre as whole.
It was the moment when YOB pushed beyond even the groundbreaking, crushing and ethereal cosmic doom of their two prior offerings, 2009’s The Great Cessation(review here) and 2011’s Atma(review here), and into new territory of emotionalism and aesthetic individuality. Simply put, it was one of the best if not the best record of the decade, so how the hell do you follow that up? If you’re YOB, the answer turns out to be pretty easy: you keep moving forward.
Our Raw Heart comes accompanied by the narrative of guitarist/vocalist Mike Scheidt coming through a potentially life-threatening bout with diverticulitis that required emergency surgery and a long recovery afterward, and it’s easy enough to read that story and reflection on that into the lyrics of the seven-track/73-minute outing. Even as songs like “In Reverie,” the short and punishing “Lungs Reach” and longest track and immediate focal point “The Beauty in Falling Leaves” — which feels like a natural answer to “Marrow” (discussed here) from the last record and the latest in a tradition of YOB epics going back 15 years to the early declaration of their second album, Catharsis, and their preceding 2002 exploratory debut, Elaborations of Carbon — bleed directly into each other in a natural flow, something here feels unsettled, shaken. As reflective as Our Raw Heartgets, it’s still right that it includes “raw” in the title, as it seems there’s very little distance between the expression and the experience.
At the same time — and somehow not in contradiction — Our Raw Heart is also YOB‘s most expansive-sounding collection yet. Produced by the band, which is the steady lineup of Scheidt, bassist Aaron Rieseberg (also of Norska) and drummer Travis Foster, with Billy Barnett at Gung Ho Studio in their hometown, it’s patient and graceful. It maintains elements that are signature YOB, whether it’s in Rieseberg‘s foundational low end throughout, Foster‘s propensity to make even a quiet drum part like the quiet fade at the end of “Beauty of Falling Leaves” swing, or Scheidt‘s style of riffing on opener “Ablaze” and the galloping chug of the subsequent “The Screen,” but it also pushes ahead along the steady pattern of progression that YOB have tread since making their return nearly a decade ago after splitting up following The Unreal Never Lived.
And even before that. The entire trajectory, from one album to the next, has been a progression of always-developing sonic ideas, and as much as Our Raw Heart may be centered around Scheidt processing and coming to an understanding of what he’s been through — never mind the psychological and emotional implications of facing one’s own mortality; or better, don’t — the story of who YOB are as a band lies in that factor. Like Neurosis before them and few others on this planet, they’re the kind of band whose eighth album you look forward to because you can trust it will bring the next stage of their creative evolution, and certainly Our Raw Heart lives up to that promise.
Songs like “Original Face” and and even “The Screen” seem to share some sonic kinship with Atma, and certainly a closing title-track with a stretch of quiet guitar at the beginning is familiar enough ground, but for all three players and for the group as a single entity, these cuts and the rest demonstrate that the larger narrative of YOB is one of an ongoing advance, and the most pivotal accomplishment Our Raw Heart makes in terms of its sheer sound is in pushing beyond its predecessor as fluidly and naturally as that album did its own. Our Raw Heart is the point at which YOB affirm not only the sustainability of their sound as a mature band, which Clearing the Path to Ascend seemed to lay out, but also their unmistakable drive to go deeper into their approach and find a new level of enunciation for who they are and what they do.
This journey is as gorgeous as it is grueling and as beautiful as it is painful. The scope from the lumbering march of “The Screen” to the immersive breadth of “Beauty in Falling Leaves,” or from the momentary extremity and crunching atmosphere of “Lungs Reach” — which at 5:40 is the shortest YOB song ever — and the epilogue of push in “Original Face” and apex wash in the title-track, during which the lead guitar seems to sing through its surroundings almost like a joyous bagpipe on a fadeout that, even after 73 minutes, seems to end the record too soon. Worth noting that while it features the shortest cut they’ve ever written — as its centerpiece, no less — Our Raw Heart is also the longest album YOB have ever produced.
That’s here or there to the listening experience itself, as once you’re in it, you’re in it, but a testament nonetheless to the basic amount of, well, everything put into it. While the title begs the question of who “we” are — the band? the band and audience? the whole of humanity? — YOB make perfectly clear the personal tone of the album, and whatever it might mean to anyone who’d take it on, it obviously holds great meaning for them. Still, looking at it in the context of their arc as a whole, it is the continuity that’s most striking. Scheidt, Rieseberg and Foster seem to hit turning points almost each time out, and Our Raw Heart is no exception to that, but it’s also the logical next step from where they were four years ago, and as much as it may be fueled and motivated by what Scheidt went through over the last couple years, in its songwriting and execution it continues the band’s progression and says more plainly than ever before that it will not stop.
For as long as YOB go, they will keep growing. I don’t know if it was a question, but if it was, it isn’t anymore, and the answer is that while their style remains one of the most immediately identifiable in doom, and while their influence spreads over an up and coming generation of heavy acts looking to reach expanses of their own, YOB will still refine who they are, still push beyond their collective comfort zone, and still work to arrive at a changing realization of their sound. If Our Raw Heart isn’t a contender for the best album of 2018, I’ve got nothing for you, but more important than where it appears on a given list and more important than any fawning the press might throw its way, it’s the latest stage of YOB‘s resonant and perpetual manifestation, and another landmark along their own expressive path.
Posted in Whathaveyou on March 9th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Not to point out the overly frickin’ obvious, but a YOB and Bell Witch tour is going to be insane. YOB go supporting Our Raw Heart, which is out in June on Relapse, while Bell Witch will be heralding last year’s brilliant Mirror Reaper (review here) on Profound Lore, having already played the thing in its 80-minute, one-song entirety at this year’s Roadburn in April. Details are still pretty sparse on the new YOB, which is unquestionably one of 2018’s most anticipated releases and marks their jump to Relapse from Neurot Recordings, which released their 2014 milestone, Clearing the Path to Ascend (review here).
YOB have never ceased to grow as a band from one release to the next, so one looks forward to finding out at what stage Our Raw Heart finds them. The album is out June 8 and the tour starts June 14, so you’ve only got a little bit to commit the songs to memory before you hit the gig, but I’m sure you’ll be on it no problem. Once you put on a new YOB record, it can be pretty difficult to turn it off.
The PR wire had the below to say on the subject. While you peruse the info, I’ll be busy asking myself why I don’t yet own the reissue of The Great Cessation that Relapse just put out. Oh yeah, because I’m broke. Well that was a fun reminder:
YOB: Our Raw Heart Coming June 8; Announce North American Tour
YOB, the Oregon-based trio, will release Our Raw Heart, the band’s eighth full-length album and Relapse Records’ debut, on June 8.
“We’re very excited to share this new music,” says singer/guitar player Mike Scheidt. “We gave it everything we have. Going from an uncertain future in the beginning of 2017, to writing and then recording a new album at the end of it, it was quite a year. We’re very grateful. We’re looking forward to hitting the road again and celebrating decibels and good cheer with friends worldwide. Can’t wait.”
The news of the seven-track album’s release arrives as the band confirm a North American tour, kicking off June 14 at 89th Street in Oklahoma City. The outing, which will feature direct support from Bell Witch, also includes performances at Austin Terror Fest and Mutants of the Monster 2018. A full list of confirmed tour dates is available below.
Our Raw Heart was co-produced by the band and Billy Barnett at Gung Ho Studio in Eugene, Ore., with mastering handled by Heba Kadry (The Mars Volta, Diamanda Galas, Slowdive). Pre-Orders for Our Raw Heart will be available April 10 via Relapse.com.
YOB recently reissued their fifth full-length album, The Great Cessation, in December via Relapse. That album can be streamed via all digital retail outlets HERE and ordered via Relapse.com HERE.
YOB Tour Dates:
May 25 Vancouver, BC @ Modified Ghost Festival
— All Dates Jun 14 – Jul 14 w/ Bell Witch —
June 14 Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street June 15 Austin, TX @ Austin Terror Fest June 16 Little Rock, AR @ Mutants of the Monster 2018 June 17 Memphis, TN @ Hi Tone June 19 Birmingham, AL @ Saturn June 20 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl June 23 Wilmington, NC @ Reggies June 24 Asheville, NC @ Mothlight June 25 Raleigh, NC @ King’s June 27 Baltimore, MD @ Metro June 28 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge June 29 Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts June 30 Boston, MA @ Middle East July 02 Montreal, QC @ La Sala Rosa July 03 Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks July 04 Toronto, ON @ Mod Club July 06 Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theatre July 07 Detroit, MI @ El Club July 08 Chicago, IL @ Reggies July 10 St. Paul, MN @ Club July 11 Omaha, NE @ Lookout Lounge July 12 Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre July 13 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge July 14 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
Posted in Whathaveyou on January 10th, 2018 by JJ Koczan
Eugene, Oregon, cosmic doom groundbreakers YOB have completed work on their next full-length and signed to Relapse Records for the impending release. Even before this announcement came through, the notion of a new YOB album, long said to be in the works, was among the most exciting potentialities for 2018, and as the three-piece return some four years after 2014’s landmark Clearing the Path to Ascend (review here) — arguably one of the best if not the best record of the decade; yup, I mean it — they seem poised once again to make a definitive statement of the to-date ceaseless creative progression that’s made them this generation’s most crucial act in doom. New YOB. Nothing else needs to be said, but rest assured, plenty more will be.
Just off the PR wire:
YOB: Complete New Album; Sign To Relapse Records
Oregon based cosmic trio YOB has completed recording their highly anticipated 8th full-length album and long-awaited follow-up to the critically acclaimed Clearing The Path To Ascend. The album will contain six tracks co-produced by the band and recorded with engineer Billy Barnett at Gung Ho Studio in Eugene, OR, with mastering handled by Heba Kadry (The Mars Volta, Diamanda Galas, Slowdive). The album has already appeared on the Most Anticipated Albums of 2018 list by numerous publications.
The new album is set for a summer release via Relapse Records, whom YOB have officially signed to following a series of reissues with the label. Frontman Mike Scheidt commented on the new material and signing:
“I have many, many albums in my collection that have been released by Relapse, and I’ve been a fan of their releases for nearly 30 years. We’re honored and excited to release our new album with Relapse. We can’t wait to get back at it and share this new music with our friends worldwide!”
Additionally, YOB recently reissued their fifth full-length album, The Great Cessation, in December via Relapse. That album can be streamed via all digital retail outlets HERE and ordered via Relapse.com HERE.
YOB has also announced a brief run of dates in 2018, including appearances at Modified Ghost Festival in Vancouver and Sabertooth Festival in Portland. A complete listing of dates can be found below.
Stay tuned for more details on YOB’s upcoming album.
YOB Tour Dates: Feb 15th Seattle, WA Chop Suey Feb 16th Portland, OR Sabertooth Festival Feb 23rd Eugene, OR WOW Hall May 25th 2018 – Vancouver, BC – Modified Ghost festival
YOB is: Mike Scheidt – Guitar, Vocals Aaron Rieseberg – Bass Travis Foster – Drums
Posted in Whathaveyou on November 9th, 2017 by JJ Koczan
If you’ve been wondering to yourself, ‘Gee, what’s the perfect thing to get that dude who runs The Obelisk for Xmas?,’ I hereby invite you to look no further. Originally released via Profound Lore in 2009 as their comeback offering after calling it quits following 2005’s landmark The Unreal Never Lived (discussed here), YOB‘s The Great Cessation (review here; also discussed here) is nothing less than an aggressive masterpiece, from the rolling open of “Burning the Altar” through the darkened reaches of its title-track. Relapse Records will have a reissue out on Dec. 8 with two bonus tracks from the vinyl. Buy it. I don’t care if you own the original or not. It’s fucking YOB. You get off your ass and you buy it. Rest assured, I’ll be doing the same.
The Eugene, Oregon, natives have a handful of dates booked for 2018 already and one expects a new album to land sometime next year as a follow-up to 2014’s stunning Clearing the Path to Ascend (review here), so yes, there will be plenty more discussion around these parts about how YOB are the best band in the world. Because they are.
From the PR wire:
YOB: Announce The Great Cessation Deluxe Reissue; New Shows
YOB has announced the deluxe reissue of The Great Cessation. Originally released in 2009, the trio’s 5th full-length record is a master lesson in cosmic Doom. Epic, crushing, and heavy beyond words, YOB achieved legendary status in recent years due to their unmatched aesthetic and incredible body of work. The Great Cessation is a flawless document of a band ebbing and flowing between thunderous, skull-splitting riffage and rhythm to meditative moments of introspective psychedelia; an essential piece in the pantheon of YOB’s illustrious output. This definitive edition has been completely remastered by Heba Kadry (The Mars Volta, Diamanda Galas, Slowdive) and includes stunning new artwork plus two bonus tracks (previously only available on vinyl).
Vocalist / guitarist Mike Scheidt reminisced on the original release of The Great Cessation, saying:
“With The Great Cessation, we were revitalized from our break, we just had Aaron join the ranks with the single best new potential member audition (since Travis) and the album basically wrote itself. When we broke up, we played generally to very small crowds in a very small scene. When we came back, our return was met with a scene that has caught up to what the genre’s best had to offer, and we all of a sudden had opportunities we’d never had before. Hell, we did shows with Electric Wizard, Orange Goblin, High On Fire, that were attended by 50-ish people in the early 2000’s.”
YOB’s deluxe reissue of The Great Cessation is due out December 8th on CD/2xLP/Digital via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital order are available via Relapse.com HERE and all digital retail outlets HERE.
Additionally, YOB has announced a brief run of dates in 2018, including appearances at Modified Ghost Festival in Vancouver and Sabertooth Festival in Portland. A complete listing of dates can be found below.
The Great Cessation Tracklisting: Burning The Altar The Lie That Is Sin Silence of Heaven Breathing from the Shallows The Great Cessation Blessed by Nothing (Bonus Track) Pain Like Sugar (Bonus Track)
YOB Tour Dates: Feb 15th 2018 – Seattle, WA – Chop Suey Feb 16th 2018 – Portland, OR – Sabertooth Festival Feb 23rd 2018 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall May 25th 2018 – Vancouver, BC – Modified Ghost festival
YOB’s plans for 2018 are even bigger and will be revealed in due time.
YOB is: Mike Scheidt – Guitar, Vocals Aaron Rieseberg – Bass Travis Foster – Drums
