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7/31/11 @ Emos, Austin, TX After managing to conquer the previous night’s hangover (and it was brutal), I left my lair and hiked two blocks up Red River Street to catch what may be one of the most savage doom bands west of the Mississippi, YOB. Founded in Eugene, Oregon in 1996 by Guitarist/Frontman, Mike Scheidt, YOB first came to fruition on the national music scene in 2002 with their first release, Elaborations of Carbon. This album, coupled with their live show, created quite a stir on the underground. Amongst various stoner rock insiders, there was a great deal of gossip about a three-piece doom band allegedly capable of a merciless aural slaughter leagues above the rest. One’s first inclination after hearing a YOB record is – how in the world can a three-piece band re-produce this tsunami wall of sound live? I have seen YOB at least 10 times now in venues across the U.S. dating back to 2003 and each YOB performance seems to be more pummeling than the last. Their headlining performance at Emos in Austin, Texas on 07/31/11 would prove no different. I arrived to a packed house just as Dark Castle were finishing their set (major fail - freak accident with the hair dryer), and immediately noticed there was not an equipment changeover. It was at this time I heard Rob Shaffer from Dark Castle would be pulling double duty and filling in for original YOB drummer, Travis Foster. Scheidt was armed with at least three Emperor 4x12 cabs and what appeared to be two custom made heads. It is possible they could have been Metropolis amps or even modified Marshalls with the logos removed. He was experiencing technical difficulties with one of the heads and opted to use a Sunn Model T in its place. Faces began melting the minute his pick initially touched the detuned strings. Aaron Reiseberg was playing a Gibson Thunderbird through a 70’s era Sound City 200 Plus head powering an 8x10 and a 2x15 cabinet. After all the levels were checked and it was determined the stage was not going to collapse due to the seismic rumbling from the stage, the Sunday night Sabbath was underway. They
opened with “Quantum Mystic” from the bands fourth release,
Unreal Never Lived (2005, Metal Blade). Horns and hair were flying
from the front of the room to the back and the energy created a
steamy haze inches above the heads of those worshipping. “Quantum
Mystic” led right into “Prepare the Ground”, the
first song on the band’s latest release, Atma (2011, Profound
Lore Records). After two songs, we are twenty minutes into the set
\m/! The band then launched into, “Burning the Altar”
from the band’s comeback album, The Great Cessation (2009
Profound Lore Records). Of interest, the band was declared dead
in the water at a press release by Mike Scheidt on January 10, 2006.
During this time, he started a new project, Middian, who you should
check out if you haven’t already been subjected to them. In
2009, YOB re-vamped. In 2010, YOB made their first appearance in Europe at the Roadburn Music Festival and they appear to be taking major strides developing their fan base. Since 2003, the attendance at each show I’ve seen has doubled every time. Much like Sleep, High on Fire, Neurosis – YOB definitely helps carry the torch in their genre. If you haven’t yet seen them, I would recommend adding them to your bucket list as they are a “must see”. -Melvin McMichaels YOB is: Mike Scheidt - Guitar,
Vocals Photos by Larry Stern
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