Obsession - Order Of Chaos

Traditional Metal
Ulterium Records

2012

1. Order Of Chaos
2. Twist Of The Knife
3. Forbidden Desire
4. When The Smoke Clears
5. License To Kill
6. Wages Of Sin
7. Cold Day In Hell
8. Act Of God
9. Mercy Killing
10. Dark Shadows

All I can say about this one is Finally. I know Obsession isn't really a full time band at this point, but their 'reunion' album of sorts, Carnival Of Lies, just left me wanting more. It's been 6 years since that one, but considering how strong the band came back, I expected good things of this as well. I've always enjoyed Obsession and they have a sort of special place with me as a good local act. The Connecticut scene used to be pretty strong back in the day and it's nice to see artists like Obsession, Sacred Oath, John Arch, and Liege Lord reappearing.

After listening to Order Of Chaos, I can say it's pretty much what one would expect of Obsession. This is straight up heavy metal with an air of the 80s about it, drawing on familiar Priest and Maiden influences. The vocals are high and the music is mostly mid-paced and no frills. Nothing to reinvent the wheel here, but I really wouldn't expect that from a band which is essentially a side project throwback. I see this band as a bit of nostalgia on vocalist Michael Vescera's part and the music pretty well fits that concept. The music is elevated by some strong vocal deliveries and some good leads though and basically does what it seeks to do well.

Strong cuts include Cold Day In Hell which benefits from some solid lead work and energy, Twist Of The Knife which has melodic/catchy guitar and good vocal melodies, and Wages Of Sin which is slower and once again finds it strength in memorable melodies and powerful vocals. I didn't find the highlights Quite as strong as Carnival Of Lies, but all in all Order of Chaos is not far removed from that album. I think my criticism of this album would have to be that at times it does get a little by the numbers and seems to settle comfortably into it's own throwback cliches. I also thought Carnival Of Lies had a bit more power metal sort of energy injected into it where as this one can get a little overly mid-paced.

All in all, this album does seem to do what it sets out to do. It's basically an unapologetic throwback and it comes off well. The band has the leads and vocals to back it up as well as some good song highlights. If you like Obsession, I don't see why you wouldn't like this and fans of 80s American Traditional/Power should dig this.

Highlights: Cold Day In Hell, Wages Of Sin, Twist Of The Knife

Rating - 3.5/5

Obsession - Carnival Of Lies

Traditional
Metal Mayhem

2006

1. Smoking Gun
2. Carnival of Lies
3. In for the Kill
4. Playing Dead
5. Imagining
6. The Offering
7. Pure Evil
8. I Don't Belong
9. Written in Blood
10. Guilty as Charged
11. Marshall Law

Obsession is a name that hits close to home for this metal fan seeing as we share a home state in common. While I was but a young one while they were in their initial run, they did make a fair mark around the 80s CT scene with other names like Fates Warning and Liege Lord and made somewhat of a cult underground name for themselves. Obsession vanished from the map after an EP and 2 albums and vocalist Mike Vescera went on to more metal fame singing for such bands as Malmsteen and Loudness. Well now founding members Vescera and Mezias are back with a newly recruited lineup for the first Obsession album in almost 20 years.

Listening to Carnival Of Lies it's like I'm back in the 80s with these guys. This is purely the traditional metal they were known for and is sure to deliver what fans want. These songs sound familiar in style but with better production, some virtuoso style soloing in the mix, and some incredibly memorable songwriting. The sound here is sort of 80s Priest circa Screaming For Vengeance or Defenders Of The Faith with vocals that kind of remind me of Tony Moore era Riot. The music comes off as anthemic and catchy while at the same time technical and it has a good amount of variation between mid-pace crunch, rippers, and one well done ballad. This is just all killer and no filler and makes me very happy these guys have decided to give it another go. In a way this album reminds me of what Priest might sound like if they had more successfully updated themselves musically. Heavy and delivered with passion in a truly traditional 80s form... I can't imagine this not being satisfying to both fans of the band and good american traditional in general. Guests on the album include Joe Stump who adds a couple solos of his own and anyone familiar with that man's skill knows it adds some great punch to the songs. Also worth noting for old fans are one or two (if you get the bonus track version) updates of their older songs Marshal Law and Panic In The Streets which come off very well.

With all the half hearted reunions out there in it for the name value and a quick cash grab it's good to hear something delivered with this sort of power. This is every bit as good as the band ever was and the songwriting even seems better with the maturation of the artists involved and great recording sound. Released in a different era on a different label I think this release might hit that 'classic' level. As is this release will probably go fairly unnoticed, but I advise anyone reading this to give it the time. If Priest, Moore-era Riot, and just straight up ripping american traditional appeal to you then this is a must.

Highlights: Carnival Of Lies, I Don't Belong, Written In Blood, Pure Evil

Rating - 4.5/5