YOB
Our Raw Heart


4.0
excellent

Review

by Raul Stanciu STAFF
June 8th, 2018 | 185 replies


Release Date: 2018 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Pain, frustration and healing with YOB...

The past few years have been a whirlwind in YOB’s career. While riding high on the momentum created by Clearing the Path to Ascend, front man Mike Scheidt went through life threatening issues with diverticulitis. Fortunately, after several surgeries (plus months of recovery), everything is back under control and he managed to ferociously return to the stage and ultimately, the recording studio. The US sludge/doom trio have released some of the most interesting, powerful and thoughtful music in the genre and a new LP was overdue. Although many recent articles focused especially on the health scare, Our Raw Heart itself deserves a lot of praise. Of course, lyrically it is related to the pain and low moods the man experienced, however, there’s more to it, as their albums always featured a spiritual side.

Musically, Our Raw Heart continues to expand the melodic influences Clearing the Path to Ascend boasted, while keeping the raw elements intact too. As a result, we get a bit of everything you would expect from YOB. Despite being 73 minutes long, the record is divided into seven tracks which, in my opinion, are easier to digest overall than the 4 featured on its predecessor. ‘Ablaze’ rips through the gates with punishing riffs, alongside a mixture of clean and harsh vocals. Mike sounds more powerful than ever, whereas the post metal leanings are a taste of what’s to come. Same goes for ‘In Reverie’, whose trudging grooves are augmented by pounding drums and scorching bass lines. On the other hand, the band easily proves they still are one of the heaviest acts on Earth as heard on ‘The Screen’, ‘Lungs Reach’ or ‘Original Face’. The former’s staccato chugs, punctuated by hellish growls over soaring chords, are very compelling. Scheidt sings about overcoming pain in a spiritual way, so there’s more to this song (and album) than anger or frustration. You can gradually deduce the acceptance and healing of body and mind in order to move on to a better place. Then, at only 5 minutes, I initially thought ‘Lungs Reach’ was going to be an interlude. The moody bass notes playing half of the time span with only a few sounds in the background hinted at a moment of respite. I was definitely not expecting them to kick in a full-blown sludge/doom dirge. This should really shine during upcoming live performances. Meanwhile, ‘Original Face’ is characterized by urgent guitar tones surrounded by several brutal riffs. The chemistry between the members is at an all-time high. There are trademark progressions or inspired detours that showcase the maturity, as well as the veteran level of structural details.

Nevertheless, two of the biggest highlights on the record are the title track and ‘Beauty in Falling Leaves’. The latter pops up midway, giving the listener minutes of calm guitar picking and a clear rhythm section. Scheidt’s clean vocals are prominently used to great effect throughout. Even the distorted notes play more melodic parts, creating a complex, bittersweet journey. Besides this, I also like the subdued coda, where a panning effect offers the instrumental coda a warm vibe. Moreover, ‘Our Raw Heart’ feels like a continuation of ‘Beauty in Falling Leaves’. Using some heart wrenching chords, the twangier guitars are well-rounded by the huge, fuzzed out bass. Sharp leads cover the middle part, slowly making way for a cool solo. Subsequently, the main riff closes the last few minutes of the songs on a really high note. It’s amazing how airy these two track sound, you don’t realize their actual length.

Overall, Our Raw Heart is a truly encompassing journey that requires multiple listens to unfold itself (much like any YOB album). There’s anger, frustration and melancholy to be found, still, at the end you’re left with a sense of relief. It’s a weird thing, but I believe the band wanted it that way. There’s focus on the dark events Mike went through, but it’s all over now, he survived, so he wants to move on. I recommend this LP to any fan of metal music and especially to those who are into the trio’s music. This is one of their best releases so far and I can’t wait to hear more from them as soon as possible.




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user ratings (295)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
insomniac15
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


6236 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Excellent album, currently second best to Atma IMO.



Stream/buy here - http://yobislove.bandcamp.com/album/our-raw-heart

Stream here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VunIoLslYrE

Hawks
June 8th 2018


93150 Comments


I've only heard 2 albums from these dudes so far but both are great. Def gonna get on this one. m/

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Great review, fantastic album

insomniac15
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


6236 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks!



The last 3 albums they released have been really strong. Definitely worth checking out

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


10915 Comments


Half of the first song in, and I have goosebumbs.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Anticipating body shakes by the end of the second track

ClayJ79
June 8th 2018


1 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Rating isn't going anywhere but up for me. Damn near perfection imo.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Hello newbie, welcome to the online addiction known as Sputnik music dot com

necropig
June 8th 2018


7439 Comments


Thought the single wasn't great so this is somewhat promising now

bgillesp
June 8th 2018


8868 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah good stuff, agreed

DominionMM1
June 8th 2018


21267 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

liking this more than the last record

DDDeftoneDDD
June 8th 2018


22756 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Will give this a listen. I found out in a Bangertv review(metal youtube channel). Do you guys know it? They always have cool reviews and recs.

DDDeftoneDDD
June 8th 2018


22756 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Original Face! What a banger!!! m/

ultrainstinctgranny
June 8th 2018


121 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

sweet art, can't wait to listen

Flugmorph
June 8th 2018


34844 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

sounds swell so far

necropig
June 8th 2018


7439 Comments


Where's Evilford at

Deez
June 8th 2018


10482 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Surprised its took so long to get a spark from Sput it was leaked about 2 weeks ago. Im in love with it.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
June 8th 2018


18262 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Wait til the new Abstracter : )



Yob has always had a slow moving crowd here. Just the perfect amount of niche

Flugmorph
June 8th 2018


34844 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

damn original face is eargasmic goodness

very neurosis-esque

Deez
June 8th 2018


10482 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

'The beauty in falling leaves' is the one. 2018s 'Marrow'



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