Influences: John Bonham / Neil Peart (Old School)

                 Mike Portnoy / Danny Carey (New School) 

        From the United States metal band OBSESSION, comes hard rocking drummer Jay Mezias. Noted for his classic 80's power metal double bass driving rhythms as well as the trigger for Obsession's great use of accents, Jay's influence of John Bonham and early metal bands like Judas Priest and Accept can be heard in the thumping percussion drive the band has relied on in their more than 20 years of history. Straight forward hard rock drumming, uncomplicated in theory is the band and Jay's style and it is done well enough to be still colorful and distinctive along with 'Balls to the Wall' drive. Jay  has been the driving backbone for the band since it's formation in the 80's and continues to provide the power drumming OBSESSION is noted for. With over 30 years of experience, Jay comes from a family of drummers. Two of three older brothers were drummers and there was always a drum kit in the basement to play.

      Jay formed OBSESSION with original guitarist Bruce Vitale and lead vocalist Michael Vescera in 1981 when Jay contacted Metal Blade Records which led to an appearance on

Metal Massacre II, which was a compilation of the best unsigned bands in America. This further led to Obsession's debut release, a 4-song E.P. entitled "Marshall Law" which was met with exceptional reviews.

This early success led to a two album deal with Enigma records and the band released "Scarred For Life" and "Methods Of Madness" on the label. Both are considered great, under appreciated recordings and considered "must haves" by true 80's metal fans. Jay's drumming and the band's potential were heard on such great songs as "Scarred For Life" , "Bang 'Em 'Till They Bleed" and "Killer Elite" to name a few. The highlight of the band's history was the video "For The Love Of Money" which aired on MTV's "Headbanger's Ball" (the original one in the 80's!).

        Jay has also played for two other bands in his history worth noting. One was WORLDPAIN and the other is his current side project HANDS OF STONE. WORLDPAIN's  music was modern hardcore metal in the OZZFEST style. (Slipknot/Mudvayne) HANDS OF STONE music has a semi-progressive power metal sound (Dream Theater/King Diamond/Obsession).  Jay's drumming on both these projects have also been met with great reviews, although neither released anything more than regional self promoted  recordings. Jay continues to write with keyboardist Rob Barry for HANDS OF STONE and they have plans to record and release their debut album "Vicious" sometime in 2007.

Right now, however, Jay and Michael are back with OBSESSION featuring an amazing line-up of players with Scott Boland, John Bruno,  and Chris McCarvill.   Jay reminds all the OBSESSED HEADBANGERS throughout the world to spread the OBSESSION and "Bang 'Em 'Till They Bleed"!!