• Guitars
  • Bass
  • Keyboard
  • Recording
  • Computer Audio
  • Live Sound
  • Drums
  • DJ
  • Accessories

zZounds

  • Gear
    • Features
    • News
    • Gear History
  • Guide
    • Guitar Workbench
    • Studio Solutions
    • Beat Connection
    • Behind The Kit
    • On The Decks
    • The Oscillator
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Legends
    • Perfect Pairings
    • Iconic Rigs
    • Gear Demos
  • Interview
    • Artist Interviews
    • Meet the Makers
  • Music
    • The Musical Almanac
    • Music Features
  • Walking The Floor

YOB – “Clearing The Path to Ascend”

Oregon doom champions YOB’s most recent effort, “Clearing The Path to Ascend,” breathes a breath of fresh air into the sometimes-stale genre of doom metal. Too often, doom bands rely on heaviness and heaviness alone as their only tool to wield, paying little attention to song dynamics or character. While YOB does a great job of keeping things heavy and much of “Clearing” plays out in a near-constant hammering of massive, crushing riffs, shining through that sludgy haze, singer/guitarist Mike Scheidt howls a mantra of eastern-inspired enlightenment, adding a moody, introspective tinge.

With only four songs, the album still clocks in at over an hour, and thanks to YOB’s deft use of pacing and dynamic control, each song gracefully ebbs and flows into the next — the soundtrack to a march through hell to reach Mecca. Pulsing, powerful riffs slowly fall away into sparse guitars and ambient soundscapes. These moments of serenity last just long enough to fit with the pace of the song and fade away before becoming too drawn-out or contrived.

If heavy music is your game, but you’re hunting for something fresh — as British philosopher Alan Watts is quoted in the opening track “In Our Blood” — “It’s time to wake up.”

Follow our Music Picks on Spotify

May 26, 2015Corbin
Audio5 years ago Music Features
Corbin

I'm the social media darling of zZounds. I'm into loud amps, down-tuned guitars, and thicc chugs. American by birth, Southern by the grace of Tod, my step-dad.

New Gear Report: Akai Advance Controllers, Shure PG ALTA Mics & Cakewalk SONARMoog Minifooger Pedal Demo
 Latest Tweets 
  • zZounds customers gladly sing the praises of their most cherished amplifiers. From budget wonders to pro-level mons… https://t.co/r1X6cR0m7X
  • Find out what an @evhgear 5150 Deluxe can do for your playing! Order one today and start playing within just a few… https://t.co/XY4PwuGOU1
 Social Networks 
 About zZounds 
Since 1996, zZounds has been making it easy for musicians to get the gear they need. With our easy monthly payment plans, you can get the music gear you need today -- and split the cost into monthly installments on your existing credit card. zZounds ships from multiple warehouses across the continental United States, so we can cover most of our customers within a day or two. Our customer service team is staffed with real musicians. They don't get paid on commission -- they get paid to help you! Looking for the best prices? Don't miss our Big Deals weekly specials, Used Gear on Clearance, and Rebate Roundup.
 Contact Us 
Have questions or comments on our blog? Email blog@zzounds.com

zZounds Gear Experts are available seven days a week to answer any of your questions on gear, shipping, returns, and more. Give us a call and get help from a fellow musician today!
800-ZZOUNDS (800-996-8637)
2021 © zZounds Music | Cookie Settings | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell | Copyright | Terms of Use
For great deals on gear, shop at zZounds