The Obsessed

The Obsessed was formed in the late 1970s in Potomac by legendary guitarist Scott "Wino" Weinrich (Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan). The group was born in the musical universe of artists such as Black Sabbath, Frank Zappa, The Dictators and The Stooges.

The first line-up included Wino, bassist Mark Laue, guitarist John Reese and drummer Dave Flood. In 1983, Wino also took the role of vocalist and the group became a trio to record the EP Sodden Jackal.

The group split in the late 1980s after Wino's departure for California to join Saint Vitus. At that time, German label Hellhound Records and the booking agency that signed Saint Vitus released The Obsessed album, originally recorded in 1985, prompting Wino to reform The Obsessed.

After several line-up changes, the group signed to Columbia Records in 1994 to release its third and final album, The Church Within. Despite rave reviews, the group split after this release, with Wino forming Spirit Caravan (then called Shine) and other projects.

In September 2011, The Obsessed took to the stage at the Roadburn Festival with the legendary line-up from The Church Within featuring Wino, Greg Rogers and Guy Pinhas.

The group then gave several reunion concerts over the following years, notably at Hellfest Open Air in 2012 and Maryland Deathfest XI in May 2013 with bassist Reid Raley.

Wino announced the band's permanent return in March 2016 as well as their official signing to Relapse Records to record the follow-up to The Church Within.

The new line-up then included Spirit Caravan bassist Dave Sherman and Brian Costantino (drums), a longtime friend of Wino and former member of his technical team.

On 31 October 2016, Wino announced a new line-up change with Bruce Falkinburg (bass) and Seraphim (guitar), marking the first time in over thirty years