yob is one of the bands i regard as a real concept of art - musically, lyrically and visually. their records are melting pots of great musicianship, creativity and much thought. therefore i am always looking forward to new stuff of this american three-piece around band leader mike scheidt. when pre-orders for "our raw heart" went live at the relapse records e-shop, i was thinking if i should get a relapse exclusive version or settle for the german retail version.
in the end the better price and the easier availability tipped the scale in favour of the retail version. i pre-ordered at emp mailorder and the record arrived in prime condition. after listening to "our raw heart" a couple of times, i think it is safe to say that it is one of their best records. to me "atma" will stay number one because it was my introduction to the band but the new record is all you ever wished for from yob.
it is heavy, slow, hypnotising, intense and melodic - sometimes all at once. a crazy journey which i think is more variable than "clearing the path to ascend" and easier accessible in general. still yob emphasises everything they stand for. fantastic, bluntly put. the presentation does the musical content justice. lovely artwork by orion landau (who worked on quite a few relapse titles, including obscura, red fang, ect.) and nice electric blue vinyl out of 300 copies. relapse records. 2018.
