US Doom Royalty THE OBSESSED announces Bob Pantella (Monster Magnet, The Atomic Bitchwax) as new drummer; fall European tour announced!

Iconic architects of American doom metal THE OBSESSED announce a seismic shift behind the kit as drummer Brian Costantino steps away, passing the torch to none other than Bob Pantella—the powerhouse percussionist known for his crushing work with Monster Magnet and The Atomic Bitchwax. The band will embark on an extensive European tour including several festival appearances this fall.

As the band bids farewell to one brother in arms, they welcome heavy rock titan Bob Pantella, whose explosive energy and veteran prowess promise to ignite The Obsessed’s signature sound with fresh, primal fire. Says frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich: “After The Obsessed drummer Brian Costantino recently stepped away from the band due to personal reasons, we are very happy to welcome Bob Pantella into The Obsessed. I have known Bob for many years and have always admired his skills behind the drums, and after our initial jam together, we are inspired and ready to rock. You may already know him from his other excellent bands The Atomic Bitchwax, Monster Magnet and Raging Slab. We are proud to welcome Bob into The Obsessed.“

The Obsessed returned last year after a seven-year absence with their acclaimed new album "Gilded Sorrow" on independent Californian label Ripple Music. Lauded as a "must-listen for fans of the genre and a compelling entry point for newer voyagers into the world of doom" by Metal Hammer and "the best the band has ever sounded" by Ghost Cult Magazine, "Gilded Sorrow" is a defiantly abrasive, crushing and straightforward album that has already left an indelible mark on the heavy music landscape. The newly forged lineup will storm Europe this fall to perform their 1994 cornerstone album "The Church Within" in its entirety, including appearances at Desertfest, Up In Smoke and Keep It Low festivals.

The Obsessed European tour 2025:

01.10.25 DE Wiesbaden - Schlachthof
02.10.25 DE Ulm - Roxy
03.10.25 DE Würzburg - Keep It True Festival
04.10.25 DE Karlsruhe - Stadtmitte
05.10.25 CH Pratteln - Up In Smoke Festival
06.10.25 IT Milano - Legend
08.10.25 AT Vienna - Arena
09.10.25 AT Innsbruck - P.M.K.
10.10.25 CRO Zagreb - Mochvara
11.10.25 DE Munich - Keep It Low Festival
12.10.25 DE Leipzig - Ut Connewitz
13.10.25 DE Berlin - Zukunft
15.10.25 DE Cologne - Volta
16.10.25 DE Bielefeld - Forum
17.10.25 BE Antwerpen - Desertfest Belgium
18.10.25 NL Deventer - Burgerweeshuis
20.10.25 UK Bradford - The Underground
21.10.25 UK Manchester - Star & Garter
22.10.25 UK Milton Keynes - The Craufurd Arms
23.10.25 UK London - The Dome
24.10.25 NL Rotterdam - Grounds
25.10.25 DE Hamburg - Lazy Bones Festival

 

Scott “Wino” Weinrich is a living legend. In a way, he is the American version of Lemmy and shares many traits with the late, much-beloved metal icon. He’s always been a rebel, loner and an outsider in an outsider scene, pursuing his music without regard for popularity or acceptance. In the process, he came to be considered one of the early pioneers of American doom. All of this began when he founded THE OBSESSED back in the 70s, then pursued through his many other outfits such as Saint Vitus or Spirit Caravan. As a key part of the 80s Washington/Maryland music scene, his music earned the respect of metal, punk and crossover fans alike while often being dubbed doom metal. Looking back, it was just gritty, street-wise American metal with a cynical bent and psychedelic flair, and this is what made him the unique and timeless heavy music icon he is today.

THE OBSESSED was formed in the late 1970s in Potomac, Maryland by legendary guitarist Scott “Wino” Weinrich (Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan). The band spawned in the realm of musicians/artists such as Black Sabbath, Frank Zappa, The Dictators, and The Stooges. The earliest lineup consisted of Wino, bassist Mark Laue, guitarist John Reese, and drummer Dave Flood. In 1983, Wino took over vocal duties and the band became a three-piece to record the Sodden Jackal EP. The band broke up in the late 80s after Wino moved to California to join Saint Vitus. At that time, a German label, Hellhound Records, and the booking agency that had signed Saint Vitus, released The Obsessed, originally recorded in 1985, prompting Wino to reform THE OBSESSED. After multiple lineup changes, the band signed to Columbia Records in 1994 to release their third and final album, The Church Within. Despite highly acclaimed reviews, they would break up following the release, seeing Wino forming Spirit Caravan (then Shine) and other projects.

In September 2011, THE OBSESSED returned to the stage at Roadburn Festival with The Church Within‘s legendary lineup of Wino, Greg Rogers, and Guy Pinhas. The band played a few more reunion shows over the next couple of years, including Hellfest Open Air in 2012 and Maryland Deathfest XI in May 2013 with bassist Reid Raley. Wino announced the full-time return of the band iin March 2016 and the band’s official signing to Relapse Records to record the follow-up to The Church Within. The new lineup originally consisted of Spirit Caravan bassist Dave Sherman and Wino’s longtime friend and former road crew member Brian Costantino (drums). On October 31st, 2016, Wino announced a new lineup change, including Bruce Falkinburg (bass) and Seraphim (guitar), making it the first time the band had been a four-piece in over thirty-five years.

In 2017, THE OBSESSED unleashed Sacred, the band’s first studio album in over twenty years, further pushing the band into the annals of heavy metal history. After a few years on the road, the lineup stabilized around Brian Costantino on drums, Chris Angleberger on bass, Jason Taylor on guitar, and Scott "Wino" Weinrich at the helm. In the winter of 2024, the iconic foursome embraced the new decade in doom with the release of their awaited fifth album "Gilded Sorrow" as part of their collaboration with Californian label Ripple Music and their return to the stage forefront through several North American and European tours and festival appearances.

THE OBSESSED links

Bandcamp - Facebook - Instagram - Spotify

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for all of the details.