Obsession

Obsession, the heavy metal band from New Haven, Connecticut, never attained much traction early on and have receded even deeper into the background over the years, largely as a footnote to vocalist Mike Vescera’s later associations with more prominent acts. Formed in 1982, the group earned its initial national spotlight that same year through inclusion on the Metal Massacre, Vol. 2 compilation, which also captured early recordings by Armored Saint and Overkill. The exposure prompted a contract with the compilation’s label, Metal Blade, and yielded the 1983 debut EP Marshall Law, titled in reference to Marshall amplifiers. Comparable to most American underground metal bands of the early 1980s, Obsession drew little attention because the material amounted to a diluted imitation of Judas Priest’s traditional British style and contained none of the thrash or glam directions then ascending across the continent. Metal Blade reached the same assessment and let the option lapse, freeing the band to join the smaller Enigma roster for the 1986 album Scarred for Life and the 1987 follow-up Methods of Madness. The second of those releases signaled the breakup of the longstanding lineup comprising guitarists Art Maco and Bruce Vitale, bassist Matt Karagus, drummer Jay Mezias, and Vescera. Shortly afterward Vescera accepted the vocalist position with Japanese ensemble Loudness during its unsuccessful push into the American market, parting ways after two ineffectual albums. He next entered the rotating-singer cycle associated with Yngwie Malmsteen, appearing on another pair of LPs before his departure and subsequent focus on session work, punctuated by occasional solo releases or guest contributions. Meanwhile most of his former Obsession colleagues remained in non-musical employment and low-level club ensembles, which made drummer Jay Mezias eager to accept Vescera’s invitation to record the 2006 album Carnival of Lies with guitarists Joe Stump and Robert Marcello plus bassist Chris McCarville. Despite broad public disinterest, the band followed with a self-titled album two years later featuring guitarists John Bruno and Scott Borland, confirming that Obsession continue, though without notable vitality.