Possessed (band)

Possessed
Possessed
	Possessed performing live in 2017
Background information
Origin	San Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.
Genres	Death metal; thrash metal;
Years active	1983–1987, 1990–1993, 2007–present
Labels	Combat; Relativity; Under One Flag; Agonia; Roadrunner; Nuclear Blast;
Members	Jeff Becerra; Daniel Gonzalez; Claudeous Creamer; Robert Cardenas; Chris Aguirre;
Past members	Mike Pardi ; Barry Fisk ; Jeff Andrews ; Brian Montana ; Mike Sus ; Mike Torrão ; Larry LaLonde ; Duane Connley ; Dave Alex Couch ; Colin Carmichael ; Chris Stolle ; Bob Yost ; Mark Strausburg ; Walter Ryan ; Mike Hollman ; Paul Perry ; Ernesto Bueno ; Rick Cortez ; Bay Cortez ; Tony Campos ; Kelly McLauchlin ; Emilio Marquez;

Possessed is an American death metal band,^[1]^[2]^[3] originally formed in 1983. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's growled vocals, they are often called the first band in the death metal genre,^[4] and paved the way for the 1980s Bay Area thrash metal scene, along with Metallica, Exodus, Testament and Death Angel.^[5]^[6]^[7] The band is also notable for featuring future Primus member Larry LaLonde, who was the guitarist for Possessed from 1984 to 1987.

After breaking up in 1987, and reforming from 1990 to 1993, ^[8] the band reformed again under original bassist and vocalist Jeff Becerra in 2007. Possessed has released three studio albums − Seven Churches (1985), Beyond the Gates (1986) and Revelations of Oblivion (2019) − as well as one live album, two compilation albums and two EPs.

^ ^a ^b Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: War Black Metal: Die Extremsten der Extremen. Was bleibt, ist Schutt und Asche. In: Rock Hard, no. 279, pp. 71-73.
^ Dillon Collins (July 7, 2019). "Dissecting Death Metal with POSSESSED's Jeff Becerra". Metalinjection. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
^ "JEFF BECERRA Puts An End To Debate Over Who Was The First Death Metal Band: DEATH Or POSSESSED". Blabbermouth.net. August 20, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
^ Many would however relate the Possessed sound to the old wave of Black Metal which was started by bands such as Venom, Hellhammer and Bathory.Possessed band page, Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic: "The brutal Seven Churches was arguably the first true death metal album and set the stage for the genre's breakaway from thrash."
^ "Bay Area Thrash Photographer Shares Vintage Shots of Metallica, Slayer". Noisecreep. February 15, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
^ "See Metallica, Slayer Recall 80s Bay Area Thrash Scene in New Documentary Trailer". Revolver. March 20, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
^ "'Murder in the Front Row' documentary celebrates Bay Area thrash". Riff Magazine. March 31, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
^ "Possessed biography". www.metallian.com.

[wbm-1] Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann: War Black Metal: Die Extremsten der Extremen. Was bleibt, ist Schutt und Asche. In: Rock Hard, no. 279, pp. 71-73.

[metalinjection-2] Dillon Collins (July 7, 2019). "Dissecting Death Metal with POSSESSED's Jeff Becerra". Metalinjection. Retrieved June 28, 2020.

[BECERRA1-3] "JEFF BECERRA Puts An End To Debate Over Who Was The First Death Metal Band: DEATH Or POSSESSED". Blabbermouth.net. August 20, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2020.

[am-4] Many would however relate the Possessed sound to the old wave of Black Metal which was started by bands such as Venom, Hellhammer and Bathory.Possessed band page, Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic: "The brutal Seven Churches was arguably the first true death metal album and set the stage for the genre's breakaway from thrash."

[5] "Bay Area Thrash Photographer Shares Vintage Shots of Metallica, Slayer". Noisecreep. February 15, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2021.

[6] "See Metallica, Slayer Recall 80s Bay Area Thrash Scene in New Documentary Trailer". Revolver. March 20, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2021.

[7] "'Murder in the Front Row' documentary celebrates Bay Area thrash". Riff Magazine. March 31, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2021.

[8] "Possessed biography". www.metallian.com.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]