Forgotten Gems:Obsession-Methods Of Madness

Enigma Records 1987

Featuring the talents of vocalist Mike Vescera (Loudness,Yngwie J. Malmsteen) 1987's Methods Of Madness was the most professional and accessible album of Obsession's career. It would also be their last until 2006's Carnival Of Lies. After the Martial Law EP and the full length Scarred For Life Obsession released sadly overlooked album. Methods Of Madness is an album that gets it fair share of mixed reviews. It is more commercial in nature than earlier Obsession. It's obvious the band was looking for more mainstream attention. I'm not here to debate the merits of that as it is what it is. I just think that it is good and more people need to give it a listen. Starting off with "Four Play/ Hard To the Core" we are treated to solid speed metal. It starts off with a timid opening before bursting out these great solos. "High Treason" has a Painkiller era Judas Priest vibe going on while "For The Love Of Money" is more commercial metal in tone. "Killer Elite" is pumped up metal and leather forever sound that defined the 80s. I love that and miss that attitude in metal. The title track also gets a nod for it's all or nothing metal forever mindset. Nothing new mind you but thats 80's metal and what I enjoy. "Too Wild To Tame" is almost pop metal so you can see they wanted more fans. "Always On The Run" and "Panic In The Streets" finished things off though returning back to a more power metal sound proving the band had a lot to offer fans of Armoured Saint and Judas Priest. The reissue I have tacks on the bonus tracks "Missing You" and "Waiting For Your Call"."Missing You" has this commercial metal sound going on. It feels so out of place on the album.Same goes for the ballad "Waiting For Your Call" that sounds like an outtake from Kiss' glam metal days. Neither one add anything to the album and it's obvious why they are just bonus material. While it does have it's flaws Methods Of Madness is still a disc that is fun to listen too. It's got a healthy dose of American metal 80's style going for it. It's quite catchy with clever lyrics, great musicians and a solid production job. With the band back on track and trying at a comeback do yourself a favor and check it out sometime. It's a worthy album to have in your collection of over the top 80's metal releases.