{"id":375,"date":"2025-04-04T06:42:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T06:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metalhed.com\/?p=375"},"modified":"2025-04-04T06:42:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T06:42:06","slug":"possessed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metalhed.com\/?p=375","title":{"rendered":"POSSESSED"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Birth of Possessed: Forging the Path for Death Metal<\/h2>\n

In the early 1980s, when heavy metal was becoming more extreme, a group of teenagers from the San Francisco Bay Area launched a musical assault that would change the face of metal. That band was Possessed<\/strong>, widely credited as one of the first death metal bands in history.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n

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Bay Area Beginnings: The Formation of Possessed<\/h2>\n

Possessed was formed in 1983<\/strong> in El Sobrante, California. The original lineup included Mike Torrao (guitar), Mike Sus (drums), Barry Fisk (vocals), and Jeff Andrews (bass). After Fisk\u2019s untimely death and Andrews\u2019 departure, the band needed new life.<\/p>\n

They found it in Jeff Becerra<\/strong>, a 15-year-old bassist and vocalist with a demonic voice and a love for aggressive music. Joined by guitarist Brian Montana, this new version of Possessed would become legendary.<\/p>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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Musical Influences and Early Sound<\/h2>\n

Though Possessed was born in the thrash-heavy Bay Area, their sound was darker and more extreme. Influenced by Venom<\/a>, Slayer<\/a>, and Mot\u00f6rhead<\/a>, the band developed a brutal style characterized by breakneck speed, dark themes, and Becerra\u2019s guttural vocals\u2014an early form of what would become the death metal growl<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n

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The Death Metal<\/em> Demo: Naming a Genre<\/h2>\n

In 1984, Possessed recorded the infamous Death Metal<\/em> demo. The three-song demo included \u201cDeath Metal,\u201d \u201cEvil Warriors,\u201d and \u201cBurning in Hell.\u201d It was raw, unrelenting, and gave the genre its name. The title track, \u201cDeath Metal,\u201d<\/strong> is widely regarded as the first song of its kind and helped secure the band\u2019s deal with Combat Records<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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Seven Churches: Possessed\u2019s Groundbreaking Debut<\/h2>\n

In 1985, Possessed released Seven Churches<\/em><\/strong>, a landmark debut album that combined technical guitar work, demonic themes, and sheer aggression. Songs like \u201cThe Exorcist,\u201d \u201cPentagram,\u201d and \u201cSatan\u2019s Curse\u201d became underground hits and positioned Possessed as death metal\u2019s founding fathers.<\/p>\n

The album title referred to the seven churches of Revelation and cemented their reputation for embracing dark and blasphemous themes. To this day, Seven Churches<\/em> is considered the first true death metal album<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n\n
<\/a>\n<\/td>\nFor a more complete review of Possessed’s first album, Seven Churches be sure to read our review here<\/a><\/td>\n<\/table>\n\n
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Lineup Changes and Setbacks<\/h2>\n

Following Seven Churches<\/em>, guitarist Brian Montana was replaced by Larry LaLonde<\/strong> (later of Primus). The band\u2019s 1987 EP, The Eyes of Horror<\/em>, produced by guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani<\/a>, showed a more refined sound.<\/p>\n

Tragically, in 1989, Jeff Becerra was shot during a robbery and left paralyzed from the chest down. This led to the band\u2019s initial breakup, though their influence would only continue to grow.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n\n

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Possessed\u2019s Legacy in Extreme Metal<\/h2>\n

Despite their short lifespan, Possessed\u2019s legacy in extreme metal<\/strong> is monumental. Bands like Death<\/strong>, Morbid Angel<\/strong>, and Obituary<\/strong> have cited them as a major influence. Becerra later revived the band in the 2000s, continuing to perform and record, keeping Possessed\u2019s name alive in the death metal community.<\/p>\n \n <\/section>\n\n