Last year, Maryland doom pioneers The Obsessed came back together for a gig at Roadburn 2012 (review here) and a steady stream of reunion slots has followed. They hit Hellfest last year in France, and in 2013, they’ve appeared at Power of the Riff in L.A., Maryland Deathfest and the Scion Rock Fest, as well as probably a few others I’m forgetting. Guitarist/vocalist Scott “Wino” Weinrich and drummer Greg Rogers have had to bring in Rwake bassist Reid Raley along the way to replace Guy Pinhas — most recently found performing with Victor Griffin’s In~Graved, and then not — but they’ve only done more and more shows.

Given the increased frequency of appearances — from “none” to “some” — I can’t help but wonder if a studio return from The Obsessed might be in the works as well. I haven’t heard anything yes or no, or seen word public or private about it, so it’s pure speculation on my part, but given everything Wino‘s been through musically since the release of The Obsessed‘s 1994 outing, The Church Within, all the bands he’s been in, development he’s undergone as a player and as a songwriter, I can’t help but wonder what he might be able to bring to a new batch of The Obsessed material. Would it keep to the straightforward traditions of the self-titled, or touch on some of the more heavy rock-oriented vibes of Wino‘s work since in bands like Spirit Caravan, Premonition 13 and his own Wino trio.

The Obsessed has always had a singular vibe within the Wino pantheon, arguably the most doomed of the acts in which he’s played guitar (that is, everything other than Saint Vitus), but 20 years is a long time and who knows what a new record might bring with Rogers and Raley as the rhythm section taking part in the songwriting.

While I daydream on it, here’s The Obsessed on June 1, 2013 at the Scion Rock Fest in Memphis, Tennessee, breathing new life into “The Way She Fly,” the second track off the self-titled album. Enjoy and have a great Wino Wednesday.

The Obsessed, “The Way She Fly” Live at Scion Rock Fest 2013