How did YOB get hooked up with Metal Blade?
We kinda knew we were leaving Abstract Sounds, and I’d made a few good connections and friendships with other labels over the years, so I started contacting them and sending out copies of The Illusion of Motion. I was talking to a few different labels fairly seriously when an email from Brian Slagel (head of Metal Blade) landed. He said he was really interested in YOB, he had Catharsis and loved it, and wanted to sign the band. We kept talking to other labels because Metal Blade hadn’t done anything like us in a long time. Plus, they’re big, and not that big is bad, but we weren’t convinced that it would be the best place for us. But over the course of a few months, they abolished any doubts we had. What’s the deal with Abstract Sounds, anyway? It’s a good outfit. It’s the same people as Candlelight. Abstract Sounds had done a few things here and there, but I think it really kicked off when Lunasound tanked and Abstract Sounds bought all of their contracts. A number of the bands were d
