There's a certain
AC/DC quality to
the Obsessed; one knows what to expect and it's okay. Though there's some damn-near thrash moments on
The Church Within, the record stays true to the
Obsessed blueprint of Volume 4: riffing, monotone vocals, and expressive, intelligent lead playing. Far from sounding tired, the formula is used for maximum effect -- check out "Blind Lightning," perhaps the hardest crush the group have ever committed to tape, or the dissonant doom of "Mourning" for examples. Originally released stateside as their major label debut, it's comforting that the
Obsessed didn't change or conform their sound one bit on
The Church Within -- it's heavy without apology. ~ Matthew Kantor