Obsession
New Haven Agora
New Haven, Connecticut
May, 1983
Remember Obsession? They were the toast of Connecticut back in the day. Maybe Red Alert, featuring Mili Matijevic, was a distant second. Go figure because Red Alert went on to become Steelheart! Obsession had Mike Vescera on vocals and he went on to become an in-demand front man as well. He sang with the likes of Loudness and Yngwie. However, to these ears, he was the weak link in Obsession. Art Mako and Bruce Vitale were two of the most accomplished guitarists going and had that Judas Priest lead switching down to a science. And drummer Jay Mezias was an absolute beast. The band recorded three exceptional releases then, inexplicably, faded away. The band’s first full length album was almost Accept-like with ferocious rhythms and, again, stellar lead work. The title track was heavy, but hummable and the likes of “Bang’em till they Bleed”, “Take no Prisoners”, and “Run into the Night” were headbanging masterpieces. After this tour was completed, the band went into the studio and unleashed “Methods of Madness”, which garnered them a wider metal audience. The band recently reformed with Vescera and Mezias carrying the torch. Check out “Carnival of Lies” for proof that these dogs still have life in them!