The Obsessed - Incarnate (1999)

I'd almost forgotten about this album. And this band. Scott "Wino" Weinrich's budding first band, The Obsessed, from Rockville, Maryland. Formed as early as 1976, The Obsessed, along with Pentagram were the earliest music makers influenced by the glorious and still unmatched original sound of Black Sabbath, yet they remain something of an enigma amongst most metalgoers. Legend speaks of an unreleased album from '85 that was intended to be released on Metal Blade, but this never came to pass. Therefore, Scott joined as vocalist for Saint Vitus the following year on their massive, 'Born Too Late' album and I can imagine as a result The Obsessed hit the back burner for him. Mr. Weinrich spent the remainder of the 80's with SV before departing in 1990, and that same year the elusive record from '85 surfaced and in '91 the bands following album, 'Lunar Womb' was released, which I can guess probably feels more like the bands true debut.

But, getting back to my opening statement. I'd almost forgotten about these fellas. That was until back during the summer I happened to pull out some old 'Drinking compilations' I'd put together back in '00,' and when 'Inside Looking Out' suddenly came out my speakers I had a rapturous flash back to this bands greatness. Getting back home I realized I'd sold this album, most likely mistakenly during one of my music cleaning binges. A quick trip to eBay and I won the mother fucker for a whole $2. A week later The Obsessed was back with me. All was grand in life once again.

'Incarnate' is a Posthumous compilation of rare and demo tracks that span from the years of '83 to '94, when the band quite, again, but nowadays they are back, though mostly just out playing live.

The Obsessed in '83

The Obsessed developed out of the DC hardcore scene in the late 70's and early 80's, fusing that rougher sound with Black Sabbath inspired riffs/groove and just classic rock n' roll energy, rather than the sluggish paced gloom that bands like Trouble and Saint Vitus would become known for by the mid/late-80's. The sounds presented are basically divided in half. The three song 7" EP from '83 features a fair mixture of that early 80's hardcore sound with the band's heavy trademark doom metal riffing, totally underground and raw in its delivery, its likely to sound odd at first, but it grows on you. The remaining songs are lifted from a 7" from '94, as well as various demo material recorded between '91-'94, surprisingly well produced too. This material drops the hardcore influences for just pure rockin' traditional doom metal.

'Inside Looking Out,' a cover of The Animals' classic from the 60's is simply immaculate. Its amazing to me how Wino transformed this piece into a lengthier doom metal masterpiece that simply puts me in a state of utter bliss every time I hear it. I mean it, seriously, if you want to see some of the most soulful air guitaring of your life just play me this song. Fortunately Wino provides the real guitar work and its something to behold. Old school, weird at times and even a bit sloppy, but so, so good in its massively heavy dooming glory. The man's song structures are all over the place, riffs come and go almost carelessly without much concern towards verses or memorable chorus', but the songs are not ridiculously long and everything is quite focused and tight the whole way through. Confused? You better be. You've got to love his voice too, just a totally bourbon soaked delivery that's unmistakably unique.

A lot of other great songs grace this comp. too, such as 'Yen Sleep.' 'Concrete Cancer,' 'Streetside' and 'On the Hunt,' which is a cover and doomified version of the Lynyrd Skynyrd oldie. For demos they are way above average and its just a shame the band feel apart before they could be properly recorded. Generally the whole thing is a pleasure though, and I seem to always find myself enjoying a few beverages while embracing music of this variety. You should too.

'Incarnate' is a fine introduction to The Obsessed and really just that classic traditional doom sound if you happen to be unfamiliar with it. Perhaps, I should do the logical thing and finally pick up those old full-lengths from The Obsessed and see what sort of awesomeness I've been missing out on!