The Obsessed is an American doom metal band from Potomac, Maryland, led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich. Formed in 1979, they recorded a few demos and played a handful of live shows until they first split up in 1986 when Weinrich joined as lead vocalist for Saint Vitus. About two years before his departure from Saint Vitus, Weinrich reformed The Obsessed in 1989, and three studio albums − The Obsessed (1990), Lunar Womb (1991) and The Church Within (1994) − were released before disbanding for the second time in 1995. After reuniting for occasional live shows between 2011 and 2013, the band announced a permanent reunion in March 2016, and has since released two more studio albums: Sacred (2017) and Gilded Sorrow (2024).

History

Early career (1976–1985)

The band formed originally under the name "Warhorse" in 1976 in Potomac, Maryland, led by Wino. In the late 1970s, Wino's band became known as the Leather Nunz. The band played original punk tunes with singer Billy Beam, Jeff Urban on drums, Robert Krug on rhythm guitar and Mark Laue on bass.

Later on, a new more focused and improved group moved into a band house in Rockville, Maryland and renamed the Obsessed, where some of their most creative and hardest music was written. Before this move, however, original guitar player John Reese and Davey WIlliams on drums departed from the band. The band became a trio and remained that way until 1982 when Vance Bockis and later Norman Lawson joined the band.

In July 2025, the band announced the departure of drummer Brian Constantino and the addition of new drummer Bob Pantella of Monster Magnet and The Atomic Bitchwax.

Members

Current

  • Scott "Wino" Weinrich – lead guitar, lead vocals (1980–present)
  • Chris Angleberger – bass (2022–present)
  • Jason Taylor – rhythm guitar (2022–present)
  • Bob Pantella – drums (2025–present)

Former

  • Vance Bockis – vocals (1979–1983)
  • John Reese – rhythm guitar (1979–1982)
  • Mark Laue – bass (1979–1986)
  • Scott Reeder – bass (1990–1992)
  • Guy Pinhas – bass (1992–1995)
  • Reid Raley – bass (2013–2015, 2017–2019)
  • Dave Sherman – bass, backing vocals (2016); died 2022
  • Bruce Falkinburg – bass, backing vocals (2016); died 2022
  • Brian "Wendy" White – bass (2019–2022)
  • Dave Williams – drums (1979–1983)
  • Ed Gulli – drums (1984–1986)
  • Greg Rogers – drums (1990–1995)
  • Brian Costantino – drums, backing vocals (2016–2025)

Timeline

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Discography

Demos

  • Demo 1980
  • Demo 1982
  • Promo Demo 1985

Albums

  • The Obsessed (Hellhound Records, 1990)
  • Lunar Womb (Hellhound Records, 1991)
  • The Church Within (Hellhound Records/Columbia Records, 1994)
  • Sacred (Relapse Records, 2017)
  • Gilded Sorrow (Ripple Music, 2024)

EPs and singles

  • Sodden Jackal 7" (Invictus Records, 1983)
  • "Streetside" 7"/CD (Columbia Records, 1994)
  • "To Protect and to Serve" 7"/CD (Columbia Records, 1994)
  • Altamont Nation 7" (Bong Load Records, 1995)
  • Instrumental 7" (Doom Records, 1996)
  • Sodden Jackal 7" (with different mixes) (Doom Records, 1996)
  • Split 7" with Mystick Krewe of Clearlight (both sides Lynyrd Skynyrd covers) (Southern Lord Records, 2001)
  • Sodden Jackal 7" (TKO Records, 2012)

Compilation and live albums

  • History of The Obsessed (Doom Records, 1997)
  • Live at the Wax Museum (Doom Records, 1997)
  • Incarnate (Southern Lord Records, 1999)
  • The Obsessed reissue w/live '84 CD (Tolotta Records, 2000)
  • History of The Obsessed Volume II (Doom Records, 2002)

References