Obsession is a foundational pillar of the US Power Metal (USPM) scene, emerging from New Haven in 1982. They gained early notoriety via the seminal Metal Massacre II compilation, a launchpad for many legendary acts.
The band's identity is inextricably linked to frontman Michael Vescera, whose neoclassical vocal style later earned him roles with Yngwie Malmsteen and Loudness. Musically, Obsession bridges the gap between the traditional heavy metal of Judas Priest and the more aggressive, speed-oriented power metal of contemporaries like Vicious Rumors and Fifth Angel. Their mid-80s output on Enigma Records, specifically 'Scarred for Life' and 'Methods of Madness,' represents a high-water mark for melodic but muscular American metal. Culturally, they occupy a unique niche in horror cinema history, having contributed tracks to the Sleepaway Camp sequels and Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III. Despite a long hiatus, their 21st-century reformation has maintained a high standard of technical proficiency, cementing their legacy as a 'musician's metal band' revered for vocal range and guitar discipline.
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Shares power metal, operatic, belting, heavy metal (signature)
Shares power metal, operatic, belting, heavy metal (signature)
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