Transcendental doom trio YOB released one of 2018's best album of any genre when they dropped the gripping and inspirational Our Raw Heart mid-summer last year. The group is about to head out on its latest tour in support of the record, joined by Canadian weirdo-metal veterans Voivod and Belgian post-metal ritualists Amenra — see dates and get tickets here — and ahead of those shows, we caught up with bassist Aaron Rieseberg (pictured above, far left), who has been playing in the YOB alongside main man Mike Scheidt since 2009. We asked him what albums had changed his life, shaping him as both a fan and a musician — below are the six formative records he offered up.
Burning Witch - Crippled Lucifer (1998)
I'll never forget the first time Travis [Foster, Yob's drummer] played this for me. I was shaken up and a little freaked out by it, to be honest. The two EPs that make up this compilation are timeless. The strength of character, intensity and execution by this band is a pinnacle of doom.
The Melvins - Stag (1996)
As far as heavy and far-out recordings go, this one takes the cake for me! This album was hugely influential along with being my gateway into the Melvins. So many great songs and scattered throughout are various tracks of noise and atmospheres — the way they constructed the track order allows these pieces to segue in such memorable and cinematic ways.
Sepultura - Arise (1991), Chaos A.D. (1993)
My brother and I used to watch the Third World Chaos VHS every damn day for a solid year or so. This video featured live performances and music videos from the era of these two albums. Both these records still give me all those same feels. Extremely influential in my early years.
The Who - Live at Leeds (1970)
As a bass player, for me, there was before I heard Live at Leeds and then after. It sounds like the Who are having a better time than any band ever on the face of the earth. This was the first classic-rock album I heard that sounded really punk, which, at the time, just hit me perfectly. The ferocity is palpable. You keep thinking Keith Moon is going to overshoot, but instead he sticks these landings that leave your jaw agape.
Neurosis - Through Silver in Blood (1996)
Through Silver in Blood: This is just as good as it gets. Neurosis has made four of my favorite records ever, but this was my introduction to them. I watched them play "Locust Star" on an Ozzfest VHS and I felt fearful, and at the same time I could not stop smiling. This album continues to pulverize me and one can only hope to make songs with this lasting of an effect.
Below, watch Mike Scheidt play a powerful solo acoustic rendition of YOB classic "Marrow":
