Possessed (band)

Possessed is an American death/thrash metal band formed in 1983 in San Francisco, California. After disbanding in 1993, the band returned with original bassist/vocalist Jeff Becerra in 2007. They are known for their very fast playing, and Becerra's guttural vocal style is commonly cited as an influence on death metal.. The influence on the genre is so great that they are known as "the fathers of death metal" and are considered the first band of the genre, as well as the creators of the name of the style for their first demo titled Death Metal (1984).

History

The band formed in 1983. The original members were Mike Torrao (guitar), Mike Sus (drums) and Barry Fisk (vocals). Following Fisk's suicide, Jeff Becerra joined the band as the new bassist and vocalist. The formation was completed with guitarist Brian Montana. During the first months they dedicated themselves to rehearsing, composing songs, and performing live with bands like Exodus. In 1984 they released a demo titled Death Metal, which caught the attention of Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records. The producer invited the band to participate in a compilation album called Metal Massacre 6, where they recorded the song "Swing of the Axe".

The band's first album was recorded by Combat Records, featuring guitarist Larry LaLonde replacing Montana. The album was titled Seven Churches and was released on the market in October 1985. Listed as the first death metal album, its rhythm and power were new for the time. With their second album entitled Beyond the Gates in 1986, they continued with their strength and quality of songs, then made the mini album The Eyes of Horror in 1987, produced by Joe Satriani., who was Larry LaLonde's teacher.

In 1989, Jeff Becerra is left in a wheelchair after being shot in a street robbery.

Currently the band is active again but only with Jeff Becerra as an original member, while the other members are the members of the band Sadistic Intent.

On May 11, 2017, the Nuclear Blast label announced their signing to Possessed, for an album to be released in 2018. This will be the band's first album in over 33 years.

Members

Jeff Becerra, Jalometalli 2008, Oulu.

• Jeff Becerra - Voice, Basin (1983-1988, 2007-)
• Emilio Marquez - Battery (2007-)
• Daniel Gonzalez - Guitar (2011-)
• Claudeous Creamer - Guitar (2011-)
• Tony Campos - Low (2011-)

Discography

Albums

• Seven Churches (1985)
• Beyond the Gates (1986)
• Revelations of Oblivion (2019)

Demo

• Death Metal (1984)
• Seven Churches Demo (1985)
• 1991 (1991)
• 1993 Demo (1993)

EP

• The Eyes of Horror(1987)

DVD

• Possessed by Evil Hell DVD (2007)

Other

• Victims of Death: The Best of Possessed Compilation (1992)
• Fallen Angels Split (2003)
• Agony in Paradise Live (2004)
• Seven Gates of Horror Tribute (2004)
• Ashes From Hell Special EP (2006)