YOB: Atma – new album

Many have much to say about YOB, doom metal band hailing from Eugene, Oregon, and none are partial. Just read H.P. Taskmaster's review of the album here (The Obelisk) or head over to Invisible Oranges for more, or loose yourselves in Lars Gotrich's introduction while listening to the entire YOB's ‘Atma’ at this location (NPR Music).

“Metal is meditation,” [states Gotrich] “Whether you find a living pulse in its massive vibrations or use it to equalize rage, this music soothes the savage heart with savage sounds. To the outsider, this may seem strange, but this is true from SLAYER's ‘Angel Of Death’ to ISIS' ‘In Fiction’. Mike Scheidt [YOB's founder, guitarist and vocalist] seems to understand this.”

This obviously profoundly insightful album is to be released through Profound Lore Records on August 16th, 2011. Enrich your lives with this “magnum opus of doom metal mastery that will go down as one of the great American doom metal albums of our age”, featuring a guest appearance by Scott Kelly of NEUROSIS, here (Profound Lore) or by the way of mighty Amazon. If I gathered my facts correctly, the cover for ‘Atma’ was created by DARK CASTLE's Stevie Floyd.

“Transcending (there’s that word again),” [reads the press release] “the foreboding darkness and oppression that was ‘The Great Cessation’ [YOB's 2009 album], ‘Atma’ sees YOB continue their soul searching cycle of reaching that higher state of being through five crushing spiritually levitating tracks of pure doom metal mastery.  The word “atma” is defined as the existence of the core of the soul and that the highest value of knowledge comes from one’s true self.  In turn, ‘Atma’ is the culmination of YOB's career that has reached a current self-reflective peak in their musical journey.” [Amen.]

YOB features: Mike Scheidt – guitar & vocals, Aaron Reiseberg – bass and Travis Foster - drums