Scott Weinrich’s greatest creation are back. Sacred is the first full length release from Maryland’s finest, The Obsessed, in two decades and they’ve not missed a beat. The godfather of doom Wino has put together a future classic of an album, which will easily snuggle up to its counterparts. Sure we love Spirit Caravan, The Hidden Hand and Shrinebuilder, but we all wanted to see The Obsessed doing what they do so well again. A whole generation of doom/stoner types have heard the legends, but now they finally get to experience it themselves.

There’s plenty of bottom-end on display with beautifully layered melodies and riffs other bands can only dream about writing. Contrast this with Wino’s unique raspy vocal style and it’s classic Obsessed. Opening number Sodden Jackal sets the tone. A gargantuan chugging number, big drums, big riffs exactly what we needed to hear. Punk Crusher showcases the band at their pummelling best. A more upbeat track, which wouldn’t be out of place on a Motorhead album. The album’s title track Sacred, another absolute blinder, which could quite easily have been on the 1994 classic The Church Within. There are more massive lurching riffs on My Daughter My Sons, which reminds us why Wino is such an important part of this scene.

Wino has apparently made a few lifestyles changes, which thankfully haven’t affected his ear for a good riff and with a new home on Relapse Records, and a fresh new line up, the  future looks good for The Obsessed and as Wino proclaims on Sacred “We’re gonna live forever”. I damn well hope so….Chris Andrews