Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
2017 has undeniably, and without a doubt, been the year of The Obsessed. Although recent events originally began percolating in 2016 when band founder, Scott “Wino” Weinrich, transitioned the then-reformed Spirit Caravan into the newest incarnation of The Obsessed. After a drummer change, the band would eventually record and release this year’s phenomenal return to form, ‘Sacred‘, through Relapse Records.
Once released, the 23-years-in-the-making record shattered all expectations and re-established the Maryland Doom unit back into its rightful place. That place being the revered, iconic act that broke down musical barriers in the MD, VA, and D.C. regions during the 1980s. From there, The Obsessed experienced a meteoric rise to popularity that culminated in the band’s third album, the milestone 1994 effort for major label Columbia Records (Sony Music), ‘The Church Within’. However, less than a year after its release, The Obsessed would go dormant and remain that way for nearly two decades.
Joining Weinrich along for the ride in The Obsessed currently are drummer Brian Costantino and bassist Reid Raley, and “ride” is definitely the appropriate word. After some extensive touring for ‘Sacred‘ earlier this year, the trio just launched the next leg of further headline U.S. touring.
During this current road trekking, The Obsessed will also join the Devin Townsend Project as support for Clutch‘s annual year-end run of shows. Plus, they’ll take the stage at CalJam ’17 this Saturday, October 7th alongside a diverse bill of bands that includes Foo Fighters, Fireball Ministry, Queens Of The Stone Age, Cage The Elephant, Bob Mould, and more.
So, the smart money would wager that The Obsessed‘s ongoing domination of the music community will continue to blaze right on into 2018. In fact, I sat down with my friends The Obsessed at last week’s launch of their real-time, right-now headline tour. The opening date at The Mothlight in Asheville, North Carolina saw the trio’s first onstage jam in nearly five months and afterward, we had a quick BS session on camera.
I now present that exchange to you for your viewing enjoyment and up to the minute information on all things The Obsessed!
