Yob (band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 in Eugene, Oregon, United States |
| Founder | Michael Scheidt |
| Headquarters | Eugene , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Michael Scheidt (vocalist and guitarist), Aaron Rieseberg (bassist), Dave French (drummer) |
| Products | Doom metal music, studio albums, live recordings |
YOB (commonly stylized as YOB) is a doom metal group originating from Eugene, Oregon, United States. The lineup includes vocalist and guitarist Michael Scheidt, bassist Aaron Rieseberg, and drummer Dave French. Their most recent studio release, Our Raw Heart, debuted in June 2018.
Formation and early years (1996–2006)
Prior to establishing YOB, Scheidt was a bassist in hardcore outfits such as Chemikill, Dirty Sanchez, and H.C. Minds. Transitioning to guitar and vocals, he founded YOB in 1996 alongside bassist Lowell Iles and drummer Greg Ocon. Their initial demo tape surfaced on Stonerrock.com in 1999. By 2001, the band recorded their first full-length album, Elaborations of Carbon, under 12th Records in Spokane, Washington. At this stage, Isamu Sato (also from H.C. Minds and Thrombus) had joined on bass, with Gabe Morley (previously of Fingertrap and Lightweight) handling drums.
YOB entered into a contract with Abstract Sounds in 2002, releasing Catharsis, which showcased enhanced production quality and contained three tracks running approximately 50 minutes. Shortly after this release, Gabe Morley was succeeded by Travis Foster on drums. Their third album, The Illusion of Motion, was issued by Metal Blade Records in 2004, followed by the 2005 release of The Unreal Never Lived on the same label.
On January 10, 2006, Scheidt publicly declared the dissolution of YOB after nearly ten years together. This decision came following the departure of Foster and Sato six months prior; Scheidt then concentrated on a new musical endeavor named Middian.
Reunion and ongoing work (2008–present)
In 2008, Scheidt reunited with Foster to revive YOB for live performances and new recordings. Bassist Aaron Rieseberg joined the lineup in 2009; he had previously played with his brother Dustin in Norska. That year saw the release of The Great Cessation through Profound Lore Records. The band appeared at the 2010 Roadburn Festival held in the Netherlands and embarked on extensive tours throughout the United States. During these tours, they shared stages with acts including Graves at Sea, Lamont, Orange Goblin, Origin, Exhumed, The Locust, Isis, Soilent Green, Will Haven, Tool, and Ghostride.
Their subsequent album Atma was released in 2011. In February 2014, YOB signed with Neurot Recordings, a label owned by Neurosis. The band's 2014 album Clearing the Path to Ascend garnered significant praise from critics, including recognition from Rolling Stone. Following a major health challenge faced by Scheidt in early 2017 that served as creative inspiration, YOB unveiled Our Raw Heart via Relapse Records in June 2018. In early 2023, drummer Travis Foster departed the band and was succeeded by Dave French.
Musical style and influences
Michael Scheidt cites an array of artists as key influences shaping YOB's musical direction. These include bands such as Neurosis, Tool, Immolation, Saint Vitus, Cathedral, as well as acts like Soundgarden, Deep Purple, The Obsessed, Candlemass, Judas Priest, Pentagram, Trouble, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd. Vocally, Scheidt draws inspiration from Lee Dorrian of Cathedral alongside the deeper vocal tones characteristic of Solstice.
Band lineup
- Present members
- Mike Scheidt – lead vocals, guitar (1996–ongoing)
- Aaron Rieseberg – bass guitar (2009–ongoing)
- Dave French – drums (2023–ongoing)
- Previous members
- Lowell Iles – bass guitar (1996–2001)
- Greg Ocon – drums (1996–2001)
- Gabe Morley – drums (2001–2003)
- Isamu Sato – bass guitar (2001–2005)
- Travis Foster – drums (2003–2005, 2008–2023)
Discography
- Studio albums
- Elaborations of Carbon (12th Records, 2002)
- Catharsis (Abstract Sounds, 2003)
- The Illusion of Motion (Metal Blade, 2004)
- The Unreal Never Lived (Metal Blade, 2005)
- The Great Cessation (Profound Lore, 2009)
- Atma (Profound Lore, 2011)
- Clearing the Path to Ascend (Neurot Recordings, 2014)
- Our Raw Heart (Relapse Records, 2018)
- Demo recordings
- YOB (2000)
- Split releases
- Label Showcase - Profound Lore Records (Scion Audio Visual, 2012)
- Live recordings
- Live at Roadburn 2010 (Roadburn Records, 2011)
- The Unreal Never Lived: Live at Roadburn 2012 (Roadburn Records, 2014)
- Pickathon 2019 - Live from the Galaxy Barn (2020)
Official music videos
- Original Face (2018)