YOB - Catharsis (Abstract Records)
 

YOB - Catharsis (Abstract Records)
by Chris Barnes


YOB is the sound of the fabric of time and space colliding with the vibrational stink of 100,000 years of human sin. I don't care what you say, energy doesn't dissipate, and negative energy has gotta go somewhere. The Gods have chosen YOB to channel that cosmic burden through 50 minutes of sound.

Three tracks of grandiose length, swirling dynamic and mind-blowing proportions. The whole thing is blugeoningly hypnotic in that early Electric Wizard/Sons of Otis type of way. Even for the stubborn listener, if you leave Catharsis on long enough you'll eventually slide into some type of modified alpha state. I will caution, however, If you're the type of listener looking for a quick resolution in musical structure, stay away, don't even touch Catharsis with a yard stick. Resolution takes awhile with YOB, it's the anticipation that's the kicker.

Mike Sheidt's vocals can either be labeled as diversely brilliant and unique, or fucking annoying. Depends on your take. For most of Catharsis, he sounds strangely like a prepubescent Rob Halford. Or King Diamond drowned in reverb. Once in a while he lets the timbre drop into a Chris Barnes-ish (not me, the other one. My voice is unremarkable, given to occasional mumbling.) rumble for kicks. Wild.

Not the usual Black Sabbath-influenced disc of doom. There's something much more primordial...and threatening... about YOB. Catharsis would be the perfect soundtrack to a Dr. Edward Jessup experiment.


Track Listing
1. Aeons
2. Ether
3. Catharsis

Visit the Yob website at www.yobrock.com

Now tell us what you really think of the album, Mr. Barnes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very good!!

Not as creative and doesn't pack the fearsome viseral punch of Unearthly Trance (the only release I can think of this year that is in the same vein as this), but still very good. Puts me in another headspace, so that's a good thing.

Re: YOB - Catharsis (Abstract Records)
 

Where do you fall, TB?

Will this be priced, as you say, aggressively? Not that it matters. I'll still buy it.

Yes indeed, Mr. Urbancich.

Wow.

The best thing about Catharsis is that this album was recorded in February 2002. Imagine where the band's heads are now.

I'm torn on this one . . . Greg Fee has not led me astray, yet Salty also raves about it, and he's the guy who gave up the WOLF discs. I just don't know how to proceed. . . .

Being a bass player, I think you could appreciate Catharsis based on the massive grooves they pour out but I could be wrong. Haha... I'm trying to think of another angle to help you (not encourage!) make up your mind.

The only beef I could see someone having with this is that it's too long-winded. I don't think so, but the songs take a while to get going. If one can get past that, they'll dig it. YOB is one of those rare breeds that can be oppressively heavy yet arty and beautiful at the same time.

Stick with it. It took me about a month to get used to Elaborations of Carbon, but once I did, it became so infectious I couldn't stay away from it. Catharsis is even more addictive.

I guess I don't "get it." I've had an mp3 for a while now from their first album and also dl'ed "Ether." It's good it just doesn't blow my mind like everyone here and at sr.com are climing it would. I really don't think I'll buy it, even at that price. My gawd, those vocals are like fingernails on a chalk board.

I love the vocals. They're the scariest I've heard in some time.