The new ultimate edition of'Incarnate' is completely remastered, features the addition of new tracks, and is packaged with all new artwork, photos, and all-new extensive liner notes written by Wino himself to tell the stories behind each long-lost gem. 2020 is the 40th anniversary of the formation of The Obsessed, one of the preeminent bands in the worldwide stoner/doom scene. Led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, a heavy music lifer admired and acclaimed by the likes of Dave Grohl, Pepper Keenan, Henry Rollins and Phil Anselmo, The Obsessed has been releasing milestone albums for decades on labels like Hellhound, Columbia and Relapse, with Wino himself playing and performing with members of Sleep, Neurosis, Foo Fighters, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and more. Since their earliest days, The Obsessed accumulated dozens of demos, b-sides, covers and alternate recordings, many of which were issued in various limited releases and on millenium compilation Incarnate. The Obsessed are the most unfortunately unappreciated band in hard rock history. Incarnate, a collection of various sessions spanning years and lineups, serves as testament to the band's great essential constants. The trademarks in question are tough but easy-going stoner grooves, Wino's detuned death machine of a guitar, and an absolute heaviness that permeates their work like a weird mixture of sweat and incense. The band, in whatever embodiment, create this heaviness by always working as a unit. Hard rock excesses are avoided; every drum fill and every note of every solo works toward the song rather than individual glory. Make no mistake though, Wino's solos, while tactful, are still heroic -- he offers unique schizo-bluesy runs throughout Incarnate, of particular depth and feeling on the "Streetside/Mourning" sessions from spring '93. Any lyrics that come through the mix hold interest as well, an intelligent individualist stance firmly taken. A very telling Obsessed moment occurs when Wino howls "It makes my blood run cold to be bought and sold" on "Concrete Cancer," over a re-working of the riff from "Iron Man." Eric Burdon and Lynyrd Skynyrd covers are thrown in for good measure, with Melvins drummer Dale Crover beating skins on the latter. Scott Reeder, who went on to join Kyuss, plays bass on a session as well. The Obsessed have never received the recognition accorded those two groups but any fans of Lysol or Welcome to Sky Valley are advised to pick up Incarnate as a further lesson in drop 'D.' - allmusic.com
