It has been quite known that old saying that legends never die. However, when it comes to music, I beg to differ, some do. Also there is that notion, which might be that common but is logical, that legends are the products of people's opinions regarding the individuals that created and did, and possibly still doing, great things in their time. In Metal music every fan has his / hers own legends, some are still active some retired or broke up. The US Metal band OBSESSION, led by the formidable vocalist Michael Vescera, is considered a legend in my bill following a rich 80s career with a winning debut EP and two masterful albums. Even when things turned towards the worst with their break up during the 90s and their not so appealing comeback in the first years of the new millennium that also gave birth to a third album, their legend status still remains intact. Six years after their last release, OBSESSION, still with the same lineup that made the comeback previously, present their new offering "Order Of Chaos", with being newly signed to Inner Wound Recordings. I admit that I hoped for another "Scarred For Life" or "Methods Of Madness", yet my expectations weren't met once again as it was with the early release of "Carnival Of Lies". On the other hand, I can't say that I wasn't pleased either.

I think that since their comeback, OBSESSION's greatest powerhouses have been their lead / rhythm guitarists, John Bruno (X FACTOR X) & Scott Boland (ex-MVP) that throughout the years with the band have been displaying their shredding skills while showing a constant classic Metal feel for incredible soloing along with amazing harmonies and various licks. I think that within "Order Of Chaos" there are some of their best works that easily up scaled their measures in comparison to "Carnival Of Lies". I didn't find anything new within the band's rhythm section as for a traditional fan of old school Metal, especially the version of the 80s US Metal, this section is the milk and butter of the music without presenting too much stuff that is out of the ordinary. Chris McCarvillon bass and BJ Zampaon the skins, presented the pace, beats and feel of the early OBSESSION era right before its demise in 1989 with outbursts of NWOBHM feels along with several Speed Metal attacks and that basic mid tempo verses. As for the leader of the pack, my favorite Michael Vescera, which also captured my attention quite a lot following his period with LOUDNESS, I was rather perplexed about his performance on this release. I could notice that time and age did change his style a bit, and it could also be evident to the multi vocal channels throughout the release that I didn't like that much, yet in general, his still has that evilness in him leading that crude raspy tone of a man witch just like in the old days when I used to craze myself with the tunes of "For The Love Of Money", "Marshall Law" and "Winner Takes All".

The way I see it, "Order Of Chaos" is far from the legendary OBSESSION I used to know. I recognize that time can affect almost everything and also the line-up change can equally and easily affect the same. There are great examples such as "License To Kill", "Twist Of the Knife", "Mercy Killing" and "When The Smoke Clears" that still have that fine interesting 80s Metal energy and thrill, yet the rest sound a bit repetitive, tired and not so memorable as I would have liked them to be. At least the sound production also let me have a taste of that old 80s sound just with a few modifications of the present. "Order Of Chaos"still have the old guts with tight rhythms, soaring vocals, great melodies and soloing, it is highly recommend for diehard fans of the band and US Metal admirers alike. Check it out.