Obsession
Carnival of Lies Metal Mayhem Music
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
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Comments:
It may be hard to believe, but Michael Vescera — the singer probably
best known for his stint in Yngwie Malmsteen’s band — hit the
scene 22 years ago with an EP from Obsession called Marshall Law,
released on Metal Blade records. He went on to record with Loudness as
well. Today, he and all original members from that 1984 release are back
and heavier than ever with their new CD, Carnival of Lies.
(One quick note: this has to be the heaviest release ever on Metal Mayhem.
While they typically release high quality music, it’s more Arena
Rock and Hair Metal, like Trixie, Miss Crazy, Kidd Blue, Cannon and Secret
Smile. Obsession is Judas Priest-heavy.)
If you like your metal guitar-driven, Obsession is your band. The duo
of John Bruno and Scott Boland will remind you of another razor-edged
duo, Hank Shermann and Michael Denner (Mercyful Fate, Force of Evil).
In fact, Obsession sounds quite a bit like Force of Evil, except for the
fact they are the older band. Time paradox aside, the first song “Smoking
Gun” is one hellacious ride. Vescera impresses while singing both
evil and melodic, the guitar solos rip, and the drumming from Jay Mezias
is phenomenal. It’s like these guys never missed a beat …
Speaking
of guitars, Joe Stump anyone? Stump guests and solos on no less than three
songs here: "Carnival of Lies," "In for the Kill"
and "Playing Dead." This is a guitarhead's dream.
“In for the Kill” has that Classic Metal feel, somewhat like
Judas Priest but more like Iron Maiden, and the rhythms will have you
bludgeoning your head on something. The chorus begs for you to shout along
with, with the band yelling, “Killing!” and Vescera singing
“NO rules!” While it might seem a bit dated, that’s because
the level of musicianship is far and away better than what you’ll
find in “modern metal” today. These guys aren’t newbies;
they own their craft.
The melodic side raises its head on “Imagining,” another excellent
composition. If someone needs an explanation of how a heavy song can be
melodic, play this one for them. Vescera tends to sing in a higher range,
and while his use of vibrato definitely was a knock on him in past years,
he has the vibrato toned down and is better today than 20 years ago. The
solo again rages, and at times has that bubbly ferocity that the aforementioned
Malmsteen is known for. This is a Metal Radio hit, regardless of the fact
that Metal Radio doesn’t really exist anymore.
You’ll get a definite Dokken, or at least, George Lynch feel from
the riff on “Pure Evil.” This is a dang near a speed metal track,
and bassist Chris McCarvill pulls the plow and then some. Boland and Bruno
shred all over this track; why did it take them so long to get back together?
Vescera’s scream on “Marshall Law” is worth checking out
for that shriek alone.
There are truly no bad tracks on this CD. If there is anything you can
criticize, it’s that they seem to just be all breakneck rockers.
Maybe a tempo change here and there would mix things up next go-around,
but regardless, this CD sounds like the band never broke up.
Obsession should surprise a lot of listeners, because no one can deny
the quality of music on Carnival of Lies. Don’t make fans
wait a decade or two for the next one, OK guys?
Track
listing:
Smoking Gun
Carnival of Lies
In for the Kill
Playing Dead
Imagining
The Offering
Pure Evil
I Don’t Belong
Written in Blood
Guilty as Charged
Marshall Law
Judas
HRH
Rating: 8.1/10
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