YOB

YOB is a cornerstone of modern doom metal, formed in Eugene, Oregon in 1996 by Michael Scheidt. While they emerged from the stoner and sludge scenes of the late 90s, they have evolved into a highly progressive and spiritually-minded entity.

Their sound is characterized by extreme dynamic shifts, moving from quiet, atmospheric interludes to massive, distorted crescendos. Scheidt's guitar work often utilizes unique tunings and complex chord voicings that provide a 'wider' sound than traditional power chords. Culturally, they occupy a unique space as a 'thinking person's' metal band, often discussed in the same breath as Neurosis or Tool for their compositional depth. Following Scheidt's recovery from a life-threatening illness in 2017, the band's work, particularly 'Our Raw Heart', has been hailed for its vulnerability and life-affirming themes. They are widely considered one of the most important heavy bands of the 21st century, bridging the gap between the riff-worship of Black Sabbath and the experimentalism of post-metal.