Possessed is an American death metal band, originally formed in 1983. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocals, they have been cited as a great influence on the death metal genre.[1] In fact, the band's influence on the genre is so great, they are sometimes called the first band in the death metal genre.[2] After breaking up in 1987, and briefly reforming from 1990 to 1993, the band reformed under original bassist/vocalist Jeff Becerra in 2007.
History
The band originated in the San Francisco Bay Area, California in 1983, when guitarist Mike Torrao and drummer Mike Sus's garage band recruited Jeff Becerra following the suicide of vocalist Barry Fisk and departure of bassist Geoff Andrews, formerly of Exodus.[3] Brian Montana was recruited on guitar, and the first incarnation of Possessed was created. The following years were spent practicing and working on their sound by performing at local venues. After live shows with Exodus, the latter group brought the band's three-song demo recording to the attention of Brian Slagel, head of Metal Blade Records.[4][5] Slagel showed interest in the band and offered to put one of their songs on an upcoming compilation, Metal Massacre 6. The track included was titled "Swing of the Axe." Following the release of the compilation, guitarist Brian Montana left the band due to creative differences. He was replaced by Larry Lalonde. Although Metal Blade did not offer to sign the band, the compilation drew the attention of Combat Records. Possessed signed with the label and released the album Seven Churches in 1985.[4][6]
Possessed followed the release with a supporting tour which included a performance with Slayer and Venom at San Francisco's Kabuki in 1986.[7] On Halloween, 1986, Possessed released their second album, Beyond the Gates. The following May, the band issued a five-song EP titled The Eyes of Horror which marked a change in direction for the band. The Satanic themes they had become noted for were completely absent, and the songs had more of a thrash metal style than their earlier death metal. The EP was produced by guitarist Joe Satriani, and some of the songwriting was done by Lalonde, rather than Becerra and Torrao who had written most of the band's earlier material.
Shortly after the release of the Eyes of Horror EP the band disbanded. In 1990, Jeff Becerra was paralyzed from the waist down following a shooting incident.[8]
Mike Torrao reformed Possessed in 1990 with new line-ups consisting of former members of Machine Head and Pro-Pain. They recorded two demos before dissolving in 1993. Mike Torrao has said he feels it was not Possessed, but merely playing under the Possessed name.
In 2007, it was announced Jeff Becerra would be performing under the "Possessed" name at the Wacken Open Air festival and would be backed by all members of Sadistic Intent, one of the bands featured on the Possessed tribute, and would also headline the Gathering of the Bestial Legions III festival in Los Angeles. This same lineup also performed at Maryland Deathfest VIII in May 2010.After a tour with Danzig and Marduk in the U.S. Rick and Bay Cortez alongside with Ernesto Bueno left the band rendering Jeff and Emilio sole members. In February 2011 the band now features Pessimist guitarist Kelly McLauchlin, Asesino bassist Tony Campos and Nailshitter guitarist Dan Gonzalez as new in their ranks.
Influences
At least three Possessed members who had written and recorded with the band at some point (vocalist/bassist Becerra, guitarist Torrao and guitarist Montana) cite early Exodus and Venom as their main influences, in addition to NWOBHM acts like Motörhead, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest.[9][10] Although Allmusic attributed Slayer as being a musical influence for 1985's Seven Churches,[11] the first Slayer album Show No Mercy had not been released until December 1983, shortly after members of Possessed were already writing material for their demo and debut album. Lyrically, most of Possessed's songs focused on Satanism and death.
