The Obsessed
The Church Within (CD) 1994 Sony
This is the last full-length album The Obsessed recorded before (again) breaking up. In 1999 Southern Lord released posthumous a collection of demo's and rare tracks called 'Incarnate', but I consider this to be their last real album (Wino moved on to form Shine, later renamed to Spirit Caravan. Guy Pinhas and Greg Rogers went on to form Goatsnake). First off for those of you who are not familiar with The Obsessed, a short overview. A young Scott Weinrich, better known as Wino, founded The Obsessed. He however disbanded this band after two recordings to join St. Vitus. After his adventures with St. Vitus he reformed The Obsessed with a new rhythm section. Listening to this album, one realises that this is something we must praise ourselves lucky for. Which immediately brings me to my opinion on this album. Those who know me, may say that they know that I am anything but a Wino fan. But hearing this album, I think my opinion of his work may be wrong. This entire album breathes the heavy Rock & Roll spirit. Perhaps the sound on this album is a little less doomy than on previous releases (and similar to late-period Trouble) but nevertheless, this is a nice and heavy record without any happy thoughts. I am of course speculating, but it seems that by Sony releasing this album the production has improved compared to previous recordings, which in my opinion does not do damage to the "raw & dirty" feel you'd expect from an album like this. Wino's raw (clean) vocals fit the music perfectly, which generally plows on at a slow to mid tempo but sometimes also at a pretty rocking pace. Wino definitely proves that rock and roll flows through his veins. Slow flowing thick and heavy cloths to be more precise! 'The Church Within' also belongs to the category of doom albums where the guitar solo's don't bother me at all, fitting in perfectly. They are clearly there, but don't seem to force themselves upon the listener at all. Of course aside from praise for Wino I need to mention that the rhythm section (Guy and Greg) does wonderful work here. Or to put it in other words, everything just seems to fit on this album. I guess it is time to adjust my opinion about Wino and his work. "No Love Stronger, No Pain Greater, No Hate Deeper, The Church Within".	1. To Protect and to Serve 2. Field of Hours 3. Streamlined 4. Blind Lighting 5. Neatz Brigage 6. A World Apart 7. Skybone 8. Streetside 9. Climate of Despair 10. Mourning 11. Touch of Everything 12. Decimation 13. Living Rain Approx. 48 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Lunar Womb (Re-issue) (CD) 1991 / 2006 MeteorCity
Serious music fanatics know that such things as hair length and clothes are largely illusory indicators of whether a band rawks or not. Of course, this lesson has to be taught over and over again as each crop of rockers comes up. Back in the Washington D.C. metro of the 80s and early 90s, rock factionalism was alive and well. Henry Rollins may have died for punk's sins on the West Coast by growing his hair out to show punks what surfacey dipshits they were, but apparently this was lost on the Maryland area punks of the day. Stoner/doom community members will not be surprised to learn that it was doom legend Wino who brought the local factions together. With the help of endorsements from the likes of Fugazi's Ian McKaye, Wino effortlessly tore down artificial social barriers with The Obsessed's brand of heavy-as-hell, Sabbath-inspired doom. Then, as now, everyone could agree on Wino. The history of Wino's work is an important chapter of the real history of rock. This history will never be available on TV or radio, in fact, these mediums have proven themselves the enemy of real music and should be disregarded as useful information sources. Instead, dedicated music lovers must rely on the internet, the recordings themselves, and the work of the rare journalists who haven't treated the music as a bully pulpit for their poor musical taste or political and sociological views. Listeners outside Europe will rejoice to know that MeteorCity, after much delay, has stepped up to release The Obsessed's 'Lunar Womb' for the first time in North America. It's perhaps the rarest and most sought-after album in Wino's discography, and previously available only on the sainted (and long-defunct) Hellhound label. It's been re-mastered and now includes plenty of groovy photos, many from Wino's archives. And while we're at it, let's not forget that 'Lunar' represents a significant chapter in the work of future Kyuss and Unida bassist Scott Reeder, not to mention Goatsnake drum pounder Greg Rogers. That's all the convincing you should need.	1. Brother Blue Steel 2. Bardo 3. Hiding Mask 4. Spew 5. Kachina 6. Jaded 7. Back to Zero 8. No Blame 9. No Mas 10. Endless Circles 11. Lunar Womb 12. Embryo Approx. 41 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh