View source for Possessed (band)

{{Short description|American death metal band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Possessed
| background        = group_or_band
| image             = Possessed - Wacken Open Air 2017 01.jpg
| image_size        = 
| landscape         = Yes
| caption           = Possessed in 2017
| origin            = [[San Francisco Bay Area]], [[California]], U.S.
| genre             = {{Flatlist|
*[[Death metal]]
*[[thrash metal]]
}}
| years_active      = {{hlist|1982–1987|1990–1993|2007–present}}
| label             = {{hlist|[[Combat Records|Combat]]|[[Relativity Records|Relativity]]|Under One Flag|Agonia|[[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]|[[Nuclear Blast]]}}
| website           = 
| current_members   = * Jeff Becerra
* Daniel Gonzalez
* Claudeous Creamer
* Robert Cardenas
* Chris Aguirre
| past_members      = <!--Do not change order of members, as they are listed in order of joining the band, as requested by Wikipedia guidelines. See page entitled "Template:Musical Artist" for details.-->
{{Collapsible list
  |framestyle=border:none; padding:0; <!--Hides borders and improves row spacing-->
  |title=&nbsp;
  |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, originally formed in 1982 in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. Noted for their fast style of playing and Jeff Becerra's [[death growl|growled vocals]], they are often called the first band in the death metal genre,<ref name="am">{{Cite web |title=Possessed Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000299429#biography |access-date=March 17, 2025 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref> and paved the way for the 1980s [[Bay Area thrash metal]] scene, along with [[Metallica]], [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]] and [[Death Angel]].<ref>Multiple sources:
*{{cite web|url=https://noisecreep.com/bay-area-thrash/|title=Bay Area Thrash Photographer Shares Vintage Shots of Metallica, Slayer|publisher=[[Noisecreep]]|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=January 9, 2021}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-metallica-slayer-recall-80s-bay-area-thrash-scene-new-documentary-trailer|title=See Metallica, Slayer Recall 80s Bay Area Thrash Scene in New Documentary Trailer|publisher=[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]|date=March 20, 2019|access-date=January 9, 2021}}
*{{cite web|url=https://riffmagazine.com/features/murder-in-the-front-row/|title='Murder in the Front Row' documentary celebrates Bay Area thrash|publisher=Riff Magazine|date=March 31, 2019|access-date=January 9, 2021}}</ref> The band is also notable for featuring then-teenage guitarist [[Larry LaLonde]], who went on to join [[Primus (band)|Primus]].

After breaking up in 1987, and reforming from 1990 to 1993,<ref name=metallian>{{cite web|url=https://www.metallian.com/possessed.php |title=Possessed biography|website=Metallian.com}}</ref> the band reformed again under original bassist and vocalist Jeff Becerra in 2007. Possessed has released three studio albums, ''[[Seven Churches (album)|Seven Churches]]'' (1985), ''[[Beyond the Gates (Possessed album)|Beyond the Gates]]'' (1986) and ''[[Revelations of Oblivion]]'' (2019), as well as one live album, two compilation albums and two EPs.

== History ==
=== Formation (1982–1983) ===
The band originated in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] in 1982,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/possessed-frontman-jeff-becerra-on-signing-with-nuclear-blast-the-best-thing-that-s-ever-happened-to-us|title=POSSESSED Frontman JEFF BECERRA On Signing With Nuclear Blast – "The Best Thing That's Ever Happened To Us"|website=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles|bravewords.com]]|access-date=August 21, 2024|date=June 26, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://maximumvolumemusic.com/featured-band-possessed/|title=FEATURED BAND: POSSESSED|website=maximumvolumemusic.com|access-date=August 21, 2024|date=May 21, 2017}}</ref> when [[San Pablo, California|San Pablo]] and [[El Sobrante, Contra Costa County, California|El Sobrante]] residents Mike Torrao (guitar) and Mike Sus (drums) started a [[garage band]] with vocalist Barry Fisk and former [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] bassist Jeff Andrews under the name Possessed.<ref name=metallian /> While the quartet had begun writing some music together, the line-up would be cut short when Fisk committed suicide<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-16 |title=How Possessed's Seven Churches Accidentally Birthed Death Metal |url=https://www.kerrang.com/how-possesseds-seven-churches-accidentally-birthed-death-metal |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}</ref> by gunshot in front of his girlfriend's house in [[Tara Hills, California]], and Andrews subsequently opted not to participate in the group any longer.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

{{stack|[[File:PinoleVHS.jpg|thumb|[[Pinole Valley High School]], the alma mater of Jeff Becerra, Larry LaLonde, Danny Boland and Michael Miner]]}}

Meanwhile, bassist and vocalist Jeff Becerra had recently split with his band Blizzard in the neighboring city of [[Pinole, California|Pinole]]. That band included Larry LaLonde and Danny Boland on guitars and Michael Miner on drums, all of whom were high school students in the same graduating class. After being approached by Torrao and Sus, Becerra joined Possessed filling both the vacant vocal and bassist positions. The band had placed an advertisement for a new guitarist, which was responded to by Brian Montana leading to the second incarnation of Possessed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/san+francisco/possessed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104070326/http://www.musicmight.com/artist/united+states/california/san+francisco/possessed|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 4, 2013|title=MusicMight :: Artists :: POSSESSED|date=November 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interview/possessed/|title=POSSESSED|website=Voices From The Darkside}}</ref>

=== Initial career (1983–1987) ===
Possessed spent 1983 and 1984 practicing and working on their sound by performing at local venues and becoming an active part of the [[Bay Area thrash metal|Bay Area thrash]] scene. They recorded the three-song demo ''Death Metal'' in 1984. After concerts with Metallica and Exodus, the latter group brought the band's demo recording to the attention of [[Brian Slagel]], head of [[Metal Blade Records]].<ref name="tg">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/549/Possessed.html|title=The Gauntlet – Possessed bio|website=Thegauntlet.com|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/music/features/bandsondemand/artist.aspx?artist=Possessed&cat=Metal&full=Possessed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615091134/http://www.ugo.com/channels/music/features/bandsondemand/artist.aspx?artist=Possessed&cat=Metal&full=Possessed|url-status=dead|title=Possessed: Biography, Discography|archive-date=June 15, 2011}}</ref> Slagel showed interest in the band and offered to put their song "Swing of the Axe" on the upcoming compilation ''[[Metal Massacre#Metal Massacre VI – 1985|Metal Massacre VI]]''. Following the release of the compilation, guitarist Brian Montana left the band due to creative differences and was replaced by Blizzard guitarist Larry Lalonde. According to Montana: "I left the band because Torrao had a terrible attitude problem and wouldn’t stop ragging at me. He was like some senile old lady that just wouldn’t shut up. He had a problem with my image. He didn’t think I was evil enough or something. He was always ragging on me to wear an upside down crucifix and be satanic."<ref name="Schaffner">{{Cite web |last=Schaffner |first=Lauryn|date=2025-05-01 |title=Original Guitarist for Classic Death Metal Band Killed in Police Shootout |url=https://loudwire.com/guitarist-death-metal-band-killed-police-shootout-possessed/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Loudwire.com |language=en}}</ref>

The band then hired [[Mechanics Bank]] heiress [[Debbie Abono]] (''nee'' Downer), mother of LaLonde's then-girlfriend, Julie, to manage the band.<ref name=":0" />

The compilation drew the attention of [[Combat Records]] who signed the band and released their debut album ''[[Seven Churches (album)|Seven Churches]]'' in 1985,{{r|tg}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/alley/1409/possessed/phist.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011028010208/http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/alley/1409/possessed/phist.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 28, 2001|title=Possessed History|date=October 28, 2001|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> with [[Roadrunner Records]] handling European distribution. In November of the same year, the band flew to Montreal, Canada for the WWIII Weekend Festival in support of the Seven Churches release, playing alongside [[Celtic Frost]], [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]] and [[Nasty Savage]]. The concert was Possessed's first and largest arena appearance, with nearly 7,000 in attendance.<ref>{{cite book| last = Christe| first = Ian| title = Sound of the beast: the complete headbanging history of heavy metal (page 142)| publisher = [[It Books]]| date = February 17, 2004| isbn = 0-380-81127-8| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/soundofbeastcomp0000chri}}</ref> Possessed followed the release with a supporting tour which included a performance with [[Slayer]] and [[Venom (band)|Venom]] at San Francisco's [[Bay Area thrash metal#Kabuki Theatre, San Francisco|Kabuki]] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/where/Possessed.htm|title=Metal-Rules.com – Possessed: Where Are They Now?|access-date=October 8, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522211223/http://www.metal-rules.com/where/Possessed.htm|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On Halloween 1986, Possessed released their second album ''[[Beyond the Gates (Possessed album)|Beyond the Gates]]''. They embarked on a short European tour with Voivod and in the U.S. opening for [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]].<ref>{{cite web | date=October 31, 1984 |title=Tour dates| url=https://www.metallipromo.com/po.html | access-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref> In May 1987, the band issued a five-song EP produced by guitarist [[Joe Satriani]] titled ''[[The Eyes of Horror]]'' which marked a change in musical direction for the band. The Satanic themes they had become noted for were almost completely absent, and the songs had more of a [[thrash metal]] style than their earlier death metal sound. The song "Storm in My Mind" was written by Lalonde and the rest by Torrao, who had written most of the band's earlier material. Soon after the release, internal tensions among the band members led to their break up.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In 1989, Jeff Becerra was [[Robbery|held up at gunpoint]] by two assailants after buying [[cigarette]]s at a store. After refusing to give them his money, he was shot twice. Becerra recalled the incident in 2019: "We [[scuffle]]d, there was no way out of it and I ended up getting shot a couple of times. The first guy pushed a 9-millimeter to my chest. It broke through the [[Rib cage|ribs]] and shattered the [[lung]]s and stuck on in the [[Spinal fusion|spine]], so I still have a 9-millimeter slug stuck on the [[Vertebrate trachea|vertebrate T3]]. I think the second guy was covering me from about 15 feet away, so there was nowhere to run. It was more like a [[Patellar reflex|knee-jerk reaction]] because the first shot was 'Pow!' and right after, 'Pow!' [...] I got shot by two different guns in a robbery. I was doing concrete construction. I worked something like 13 hours that day. I stopped to get a pack of [[Camel (cigarette)|Camels]] and I guess I flashed a [[United States one-hundred-dollar bill|hundred]] and on the way out, two guys in [[Hoodie|hoods]], little [[ninja]] guys came running up with guns: 'Give me all of your fucking money.'" The shooting left Becerra [[Paralysis|paralyzed]] from the chest down. The incident occurred while he was employed as a [[construction worker]].<ref name="Schaffner"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/POSSESSED--7051.html|title=Frank Stöver interviews Jeff Becerra|access-date=April 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630204831/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/Interviews/POSSESSED--7051.html|archive-date=June 30, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="BECERRA2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/possessed-s-jeff-becerra-gives-revealing-interview/|title=POSSESSED's JEFF BECERRA Gives Revealing Interview|date=July 22, 2008|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/possesseds-jeff-becerra-recounts-1989-armed-robbery-attempt-that-left-him-paralyzed-and-wheelchair-bound/|title=POSSESSED's JEFF BECERRA Recounts 1989 Armed Robbery Attempt That Left Him Paralyzed And Wheelchair-Bound|date=April 14, 2019|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=July 20, 2021}}</ref> He lamented: "I've been in a [[wheelchair]] longer than I've been walking. It's my normal."<ref name="Rolli">{{Cite web |last=Rolli |first=Bryan|date=2021-09-19 |title=Possessed's Jeff Becerra Walks for First Time in Over 30 Years |url=https://loudwire.com/possessed-jeff-becerra-walks-first-time-30-years-video/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Loudwire.com |language=en}}</ref>

Despite Becerra's debilitating injuries, he continued to play a role in the death, [[black metal|black]], and thrash metal scenes. He struggled with drug and alcohol abuse for the following five years before eventually receiving a degree in labor studies. He stated that he plans to attend law school.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

=== Reformations and recent developments (1990–present) ===

Mike Torrao formed a new version of Possessed in 1990, taking over lead vocals himself, and recorded a two-song demo in 1991. Several different line-ups were attempted, and a four-song demo was recorded in 1993, but the group failed to gain momentum and disbanded shortly thereafter. In 2015, the 1991 demo, as well as ten other recordings from that era of Possessed, were reissued on fellow California death metal band Desecration's retrospective ''Dead... Yet, Not Forgotten'' in 2015 (Desecration drummer Bob Yost had performed in Torrao's version of Possessed between 1990 and 1992).

In 2007, it was announced that vocalist and bassist Jeff Becerra would be performing under the Possessed name at the [[Wacken Open Air]] festival and would be backed by the members of [[Sadistic Intent]], one of the bands featured on the Possessed tribute album ''Seven Gates of Horror'' released in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Seven-Gates-Of-Horror-A-Tribute-To-Possessed/release/1903793|title=The Seven Gates Of Horror – A Tribute To Possessed (2004, CD)|website=Discogs.com|date=February 23, 2004 }}</ref> They 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 U.S. tour with [[Danzig (band)|Danzig]] and [[Marduk (band)|Marduk]], Rick and Bay Cortez along with Ernesto Bueno returned to Sadistic Intent, while drummer [[Emilio Marquez]] remained.
[[File:Possessed - Jalometalli 2008 - 05.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|Possessed at [[Jalometalli]] 2008 in Finland]]
By late 2012, Possessed had begun writing new material for their first full-length studio album since 1986's ''Beyond the Gates''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/possessed-working-on-new-music-barge-to-hell-performance-footage-posted-online/|title=POSSESSED Working On New Music; 'Barge To Hell' Performance Footage Posted Online|date=December 8, 2012|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> They had performed several new songs live which were expected to appear on the new album.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In 2017, the band signed a three-album recording contract with [[Nuclear Blast Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/possessed-signs-with-nuclear-blast/|title=POSSESSED Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=May 12, 2017}}</ref> By this time, the band consisted of Becerra and Marquez along with guitarists Daniel Gonzalez and Claudeous Creamer and bassist Robert Cardenas. Initially set for release in 2018, the band's third studio album ''[[Revelations of Oblivion]]'' was released on May 10, 2019, their first in 33 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=POSSESSED To Release Revelations Of Oblivion Album In May; Artwork, "No More Room In Hell" Visualizer Streaming|url=https://bravewords.com/news/possessed-to-release-revelations-of-oblivion-album-in-may-artwork-no-more-room-in-hell-visualizer-streaming|publisher=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=March 15, 2019|date=March 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/03/15/possessed-to-release-revelations-of-oblivion-on-may-10/|title=Possessed to Release "Revelations of Oblivion" on May 10, Stream First Song|date=March 15, 2019|website=Decibel Magazine}}</ref> The album entered the [[UK Rock & Metal Singles and Albums Charts]] at number 7 in its first week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/20190517/112/|title=Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40 &#124; Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com}}</ref>

In a February 2021 interview, Becerra stated that he would begin writing new material for the next Possessed album after the conclusion of the ''Revelations of Oblivion'' tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DfkpGQOhwI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/5DfkpGQOhwI| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Interview with Jeff Becerra!|date=February 7, 2021 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=41020|title=Possessed – Planning To Write Another Album|publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|access-date=February 9, 2021|date=February 9, 2021}}</ref>

In September 2021, Becerra walked for the first time in 30 years with the aid of robotic legs.<ref name="Rolli"/>

Becerra said in December 2023 that the band would record their new album in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/possessed-to-record-new-studio-album-in-2024 | title=POSSESSED to Record New Studio Album in 2024 | date=December 3, 2023 }}</ref>

Former guitarist Brian Montana died on April 28, 2025 after he was shot by [[South San Francisco, California|South San Francisco]] police officers following an incident in which he reportedly fired at neighbors and officers in a dispute about garden clippings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2025 |title=Man killed in South San Francisco police shooting is identified |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/04/29/man-killed-in-south-san-francisco-police-shooting-is-identified/ |access-date=May 1, 2025 |website=San Jose Mercury News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Possessed - Original Guitarist Shot Dead At 60 |url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=58302 |access-date=May 1, 2025 |publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]}}</ref> Police said that alcohol was a factor in the incident.<ref name="Schaffner"/> Becerra took to the band's official [[Instagram]] account to make a statement, where he said: "The Brian I know is from when we were still just kids back in the beginning of Possessed. He was nothing like what I'm seeing being written about him. In fact, I think that's one of the reasons that led to him leaving Possessed. He just wasn't willing to be as dark as we wanted him to be at that time. We were going for that evil imagery, and Brian was just so lighthearted, even goofy in a good way."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=POSSESSED's JEFF BECERRA Pays Tribute To Late Guitarist BRIAN MONTANA: 'He Was Jovial And A Gentleman' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/possesseds-jeff-becerra-pays-tribute-to-late-guitarist-brian-montana-he-was-jovial-and-a-gentleman|website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=2025-05-14|language=en}}</ref>

In 2025, the band embarked on a world tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ''Seven Churches'', which is also set to include their first shows in Australia in late October. In an interview with ''Subculture'' about the Australian tour, Becerra stated ''Throne of Sorrow'' as a working title for the followup to ''Revelations to Oblivion''.<ref>{{cite web | title=POSSESSED - 2025 Australian Tour Interview | url=https://www.spreaker.com/episode/possessed-2025-australian-tour-interview--68075239 }}</ref>

== Musical style and influences ==
At least four Possessed members who had written and recorded with the band at some point (vocalist/bassist Becerra and former guitarists Torrao, Montana and LaLonde) cite early [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] and [[Venom (band)|Venom]] as their main influences, in addition to [[new wave of British heavy metal]] acts like [[Motörhead]], [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Judas Priest]], and other bands such as [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]] and [[Van Halen]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/possessed.htm|title=POSSESSED interview – Jeff Becerra|website=Voicesfromthedarkside.de|access-date=July 20, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716083105/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/possessed.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/montana.htm|title=POSSESSED interview – Brian Montana|website=Voicesfromthedarkside.de|access-date=July 20, 2021|archive-date=April 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405105136/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/montana.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ram.org/music/primus/articles/say_cheese.html|title=Say "Cheese"! in Kerrang! #343, June 1, 1991|website=ram.org|access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref> Although [[AllMusic]] attributed [[Slayer]] as being a musical influence for ''Seven Churches'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/seven-churches-mw0000193752|title=Seven Churches - Possessed &#124; Album |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=August 12, 2025}}</ref> the first Slayer album ''[[Show No Mercy (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.

== Legacy and influence ==
Possessed are often cited as the first death metal band,<ref name="am" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/interviews/dissecting-death-metal-with-possesseds-jeff-becerra |title=Dissecting Death Metal with POSSESSED's Jeff Becerra |author=Dillon Collins |date=July 7, 2019 |website=Metalinjection|access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/jeff-beccera-puts-an-end-to-debate-over-who-was-the-first-death-metal-band-death-or-possessed/ |title=JEFF BECERRA Puts An End To Debate Over Who Was The First Death Metal Band: DEATH Or POSSESSED |date=August 20, 2017 |website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=June 28, 2020}}</ref> largely because of the early use of [[death grunt|grunted vocals]], ultra-fast [[drums|drumming]] and guitar [[tremolo picking]] as previously noted. In the 2004 book, ''[[Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore]]'', Jeff Becerra staked claim to creating the "death metal" [[nomenclature]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite book |last = John Peel |author-link = John Peel | first = Albert Mudrian| title = Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore| publisher = [[Feral House]]| year = 2004| isbn = 1-932595-04-X}}</ref> The band's efforts on ''Seven Churches'' have been called an influence by groups like [[Death (metal band)|Death]], [[Pestilence (band)|Pestilence]], [[Sepultura]], [[Deicide (band)|Deicide]], [[Morbid Angel]], [[Sadistic Intent]], [[Cannibal Corpse]], [[Gorguts]], [[Sinister (band)|Sinister]], [[Vader (band)|Vader]], [[God Dethroned]] and [[Amon Amarth]], the latter five bands having appeared on a 2004 Possessed tribute album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.karmageddonmedia.com/|title=KarmageddonMedia – Tech nyheder på nettet|website=Karmageddonmedia.com|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/vandrunen2.htm|title=PESTILENCE interview – Martin Van Drunen|access-date=February 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802094850/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/vandrunen2.htm|archive-date=August 2, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metal-discovery.com/Interviews/pestilence_interview_2009_pt2.htm|title=Metal Discovery: Interview with Patrick Mameli (Pestilence) – 12th April 2009|website=Metal-discovery.com|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> Possessed's "The Exorcist" had been covered earlier by Cannibal Corpse on the 1993 ''[[Hammer Smashed Face]]'' EP.

Even while the band had played only a handful of gigs in the Bay Area, they earned a huge capital of popularity in Europe's metal scene.<ref name="Konow 2002">{{cite book
| last = Konow| first = David| title = Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal (page 234)| publisher = [[Three Rivers Press]]| year = 2002| isbn = 0-609-80732-3
}}</ref> Members of [[Napalm Death]] were influenced by Possessed and credit the band for their musical shift from [[grindcore]] to a more death metal direction after ''[[Scum (Napalm Death album)|Scum]]''.<ref>{{cite book| last = Mudrian| first = Albert| title = Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces (page 59)| publisher = [[Da Capo Press]]| date = July 14, 2009| isbn = 978-0-306-81806-6| url-access = registration| url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780306818066}}</ref> In addition to their impression on overseas death metal, the group would also inspire [[black metal]] acts like Germany's [[Falkenbach]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/falkenbach.htm |title=Falkenbach Interview – Vratyas Vakyas Interview – Interview with Falkenbach |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623082821/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/falkenbach.htm |archive-date=June 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Greece's [[Rotting Christ]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-plague.net/rotting.htm|title=ROTTING CHRIST interview – Sakis Tolis|website=The-plague.net|access-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724094859/http://www.the-plague.net/rotting.htm|archive-date=July 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Switzerland's [[Samael (band)|Samael]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=114846|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228200400/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=114846|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2009|title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET – SAMAEL Frontman: 'We Wanted To Do A More Stripped Down Metal Album'|date=February 28, 2009|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> and Norway's [[Dimmu Borgir]].<ref>{{cite book| last = McIver| first = Joel| title = Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica (Silenoz: "The bands that had an immense impact on me were....Possessed...")| publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]| year = 2004| isbn = 1-84772-797-2}}</ref>

[[Chuck Schuldiner]], who had relocated his band Death to the Bay Area to write ''[[Scream Bloody Gore]]'' with [[Chris Reifert]], in tandem with Possessed's rise, told magazine ''[[Metal Maniacs]]'':

{{cquote|Possessed was different from all the other bands who were coming out at that time. They weren't pure noise, and they attempted to incorporate a lot of different musical ideas into their songwriting, not just rehash the same thing. They were into progressing as a band, which paved the way for other groups to expand their sound and do different things.<ref>{{cite book| last = Ian Christe| author-link = Ian Christe| title = Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal (page 115)| publisher = [[Harper Paperbacks]]| year = 2004| isbn = 0-380-81127-8| title-link = Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal}}</ref>}}

In the book ''Choosing Death'', Mantas/Death drummer [[Kam Lee]] called Possessed the first death metal band, and added:

{{cquote|When we were in Mantas, (Chuck Schuldiner, [[Rick Rozz]] and myself) still had a more Venom/Motörhead sound kinda going on. And then I remember Chuck getting the Possessed demo, and I just remember hearing it and just freaking out like, 'Man, this is the way we gotta be.'<ref>{{cite book| last = John Peel| author-link = John Peel| first = Albert Mudrian| title = Choosing Death: The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grindcore (page 70)| publisher = [[Feral House]]| year = 2004| isbn = 1-932595-04-X}}</ref>}}

Author Daniel Ekeroth expanded on Lee's assessment of the 1984 ''Death Metal'' demo in his book, ''Swedish Death Metal'':

{{cquote|Unlike virtually all other contemporary bands, Possessed left the Venom/Motörhead touches behind, creating "symphonic" tunes, and combining loads of complex riffs and drum patterns with the rawest sounds and fastest paces imaginable...Becerra took his vocal style one step beyond anything the world had heard before, as he seemed to scream and grunt at the same time. All these ideas would later be considered trademarks of death metal, and Possessed's demo has since generally been considered the first pure death metal recording.<ref>{{cite book | last = Ekeroth| first = Daniel| title = Swedish Death Metal (page 12) | publisher = [[Bazillion Points]] | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-0-9796163-1-0}}</ref>}}

Possessed's association with [[Debbie Abono]] would be a "first" for both sides: Abono would be the band's first manager, and Possessed were Abono's first managed signed band. A grandmother in her mid-fifties at that time,<ref name=":0">{{cite book| last = Konow| first = David| title = Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal (page 233)
| publisher = [[Three Rivers Press]]| year = 2002| isbn = 0-609-80732-3}}</ref><ref name="Ian Christe 2004">{{cite book| last = Ian Christe| author-link = Ian Christe| title = Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal (page 113)| publisher = [[Harper Paperbacks]]| year = 2004| isbn = 0-380-81127-8
| title-link = Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal}}</ref> Abono had no previous connection to heavy metal music other than as a concert [[designated driver]] for her daughters, one of whom was a girlfriend of guitarist Larry LaLonde.{{r|Ian Christe 2004}} Due to [[generation gap]], Abono also had limited awareness of the sometimes [[blasphemous]] themes of heavy metal, and was allegedly offended upon reading the lyric sheet of ''Seven Churches''.{{r|Konow 2002}} Nevertheless, she agreed to manage and represent Possessed as long as Becerra and LaLonde finished high school commitments.{{r|Konow 2002}} Although the group's relationship amongst themselves and their first manager would reach points of discord and eventual termination, Abono would go on to manage additional bands in the [[Bay Area thrash metal]] scene like Exodus, [[Vio-lence]] and [[Forbidden Evil]], as well as death metal bands like Chicago's [[Broken Hope]] and Florida's [[Cynic (band)|Cynic]] and [[Obituary (band)|Obituary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/xecutioner.htm|title=OBITUARY interview – John Tardy|access-date=February 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627073613/http://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interviews/xecutioner.htm|archive-date=June 27, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Possessed - Jalometalli 2008 - 03.JPG|thumb|Vocalist Jeff Becerra at Jalometalli 2008]]
While Possessed's first album, ''Seven Churches'', was praised for its speed and the brutality of the vocals, the second album, ''[[Beyond the Gates (Possessed album)|Beyond the Gates]]'', disappointed both fans and critics alike. Released on [[Halloween]] of 1986, the album was not as powerful and as influential as its predecessor, and the band's popularity suffered because of it.<ref name="amr2">[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r15555|pure_url=yes}} Eduardo Rivadavia, Review of Possessed, ''Beyond the Gates'', Allmusic]: "[The album] wound up coming as a disappointment to most critics and fans alike . . . transforming a sound previously distinguished for its inexorable power into a ragged, decidedly weaker-kneed replacement."</ref><ref name="am2">[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5171|pure_url=yes}} Eduardo Rivadavia, Possessed band page, Allmusic]: "Their second effort, ''Beyond the Gates'', was released, fittingly enough, on Halloween 1986, but did not have the same impact as its predecessor."</ref> The band members themselves expressed disappointment in the release, in general, and the sound production in particular.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metallian.com/possessed.php |title=Possessed band biography|website=Metallian.com}}</ref>

== Other projects ==
In 1993, former drummer Mike Sus retired from music to pursue other careers, going on to get a degree in psychology and is helping injured people to live a normal everyday life. He is also a drug addiction counselor.<ref name="mr">{{Cite web |url=http://www.metal-rules.com/where/Possessed.htm |title=Metal-Rules.com – POSSESSED: Where Are They Now? |access-date=October 8, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522211223/http://www.metal-rules.com/where/Possessed.htm |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Former guitarist Larry LaLonde joined the Bay Area thrash metal band [[Blind Illusion]] which released ''[[The Sane Asylum]]'' in 1988, after which LaLonde went on to join the influential [[funk metal]] band [[Primus (band)|Primus]] in 1989 (led by former Blind Illusion bassist [[Les Claypool]]).{{r|tg}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/1409/possessed/pwhere.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021112205443/http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/1409/possessed/pwhere.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2002|title=Where Are They Now?|date=November 12, 2002|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>

In 1995, former guitarist Mike Torrão joined a new death metal band, Infanticide, but never released any songs to the public. Infanticide broke up in 1997. He has since worked as a landscaper and plays music only in his spare time. As of 2008, Torrao is working with the band INaCAGE<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.inacage.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805063253/http://inacage.com/ |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in the San Francisco Bay Area.{{r|mr}}

== Members ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2023}}
'''Current'''
*Jeff Becerra – vocals {{small|(1983–1987, 2007–present)}}, bass {{small|(1983–1987)}}
*Daniel Gonzalez – guitars {{small|(2011–present)}}
*Robert Cardenas – bass {{small|(2012–present)}}
*Claudeous Creamer – guitars {{small|(2016–present)}}
*Chris Aguirre – drums {{small|(2023–present)}}
'''Former'''
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
*Mike Torrão – guitars {{small|(1982–1987, 1990–1993)}}, vocals {{small|(1990–1993)}}
*Mike Sus – drums {{small|(1982–1987)}}
*Barry Fisk – vocals {{small|(1982–1983; died 1983)}}
*Jeff Andrews – bass {{small|(1982–1983)}}
*Brian Montana – guitars {{small|(1983–1984, died 2025)}}
*[[Larry LaLonde]] – guitars {{small|(1984–1987)}}
*Duane Connley – guitars {{small|(1990)}}
*Dave Alex Couch – guitars {{small|(1990)}}
*Colin Carmichael – drums {{small|(1990)}}
*Chris Stolle – drums {{small|(1990)}}
*Bob Yost – bass {{small|(1990–1992; died 2010)}}
*Mark Strausburg – guitars {{small|(1991–1993)}}
*Walter Ryan – drums {{small|(1991–1993)}}
*Paul Perry – bass {{small|(1991–1993)}}
*Mike Hollman – guitars {{small|(1993)}}
*[[Emilio Márquez]] – drums {{small|(2007–2023)}}
*Ernesto Bueno – guitars {{small|(2007–2010)}}
*Rick Cortez – guitars {{small|(2007–2010)}}
*Bay Cortez – bass {{small|(2007–2010)}}
*[[Tony Campos]]  – bass {{small|(2011–2012)}}
*Kelly McLauchlin  – guitars {{small|(2011–2013)}}
*Mike Pardi – guitars {{small|(2013–2016)}}
{{div col end}}

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:800 height:auto barincrement:18
PlotArea   = left:105 bottom:60 top:0 right:0
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1982 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1982
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1982
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend     = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

Colors=
 id:vocals   value:red        legend:Vocals
 id:guitar   value:green      legend:Guitars
 id:bass     value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:drums    value:orange     legend:Drums
 id:studio   value:black      legend:Studio_album
 id:other    value:gray(0.5)  legend:Demo/EP
 id:bars     value:gray(0.95)

LineData= 
 layer:back
 at:06/01/1984 color:other
 at:06/01/1985 color:other
 at:10/16/1985 color:studio
 at:10/31/1986 color:studio
 at:05/31/1987 color:other
 at:10/01/1991 color:other
 at:06/01/1993 color:other
 at:05/10/2019 color:studio

BackgroundColors= bars:bars

BarData=
 bar:Barry     text:"Barry Fisk"
 bar:Jeff      text:"Jeff Becerra"
 bar:Mike      text:"Mike Torrão"
 bar:Brian     text:"Brian Montana"
 bar:Larry     text:"Larry LaLonde"
 bar:Duane     text:"Duane Connley"
 bar:Dave      text:"Dave Alex Couch"
 bar:Mark      text:"Mark Strausburg"
 bar:Mike2     text:"Mike Hollman"
 bar:Rick      text:"Rick Cortez"
 bar:Ernesto   text:"Ernesto Bueno"
 bar:Dan       text:"Daniel González"
 bar:Kelly     text:"Kelly Mclauchlin"
 bar:Mike3     text:"Mike Pardi"
 bar:Claudeous text:"Claudeous Creamer"
 bar:Andrews   text:"Jeff Andrews"
 bar:Bob       text:"Bob Yost"
 bar:Paul      text:"Paul Perry"
 bar:Bay       text:"Bay Cortez"
 bar:Tony      text:"Tony Campos"
 bar:Rob       text:"Robert Cárdenas"
 bar:Mike4     text:"Mike Sus"
 bar:Colin     text:"Colin Carmichael"
 bar:Chris     text:"Chris Stolle"
 bar:Walter    text:"Walter Ryan"
 bar:Emilio    text:"Emilio Márquez"
 bar:Chris2    text:"Chris Aguirre"

PlotData =
 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)
 bar:Barry     from:01/01/1982 till:04/15/1983  color:vocals
 bar:Jeff      from:05/01/1983 till:06/20/1987  color:vocals
 bar:Jeff      from:05/01/1983 till:06/20/1987  color:bass   width:3
 bar:Jeff      from:04/04/2007 till:end         color:vocals
 bar:Mike      from:01/01/1982 till:06/20/1987  color:guitar
 bar:Andrews   from:01/01/1982 till:04/15/1983  color:bass
 bar:Mike4     from:01/01/1982 till:06/20/1987  color:drums
 bar:Mike      from:02/01/1990 till:10/01/1993  color:guitar width:3
 bar:Mike      from:02/01/1990 till:10/01/1993  color:vocals
 bar:Ernesto   from:04/01/2007 till:04/01/2010  color:guitar
 bar:Kelly     from:04/01/2010 till:07/01/2013  color:guitar
 bar:Brian     from:05/01/1983 till:01/01/1985  color:guitar
 bar:Larry     from:01/01/1985 till:06/20/1987  color:guitar
 bar:Duane     from:02/01/1990 till:06/01/1990  color:guitar
 bar:Dave      from:06/01/1990 till:10/01/1990  color:guitar
 bar:Mark      from:10/01/1990 till:07/01/1993  color:guitar
 bar:Mike2     from:07/01/1993 till:10/01/1993  color:guitar
 bar:Mike3     from:07/01/2013 till:07/01/2016  color:guitar
 bar:Claudeous from:07/01/2016 till:end         color:guitar
 bar:Rick      from:04/01/2007 till:04/01/2010  color:guitar
 bar:Dan       from:04/01/2010 till:end         color:guitar
 bar:Bob       from:02/01/1990 till:01/01/1993  color:bass
 bar:Paul      from:01/01/1993 till:10/01/1993  color:bass
 bar:Bay       from:04/01/2007 till:04/01/2010  color:bass
 bar:Tony      from:04/01/2010 till:04/01/2012  color:bass
 bar:Rob       from:04/01/2012 till:end         color:bass
 bar:Colin     from:02/01/1990 till:07/01/1990  color:drums
 bar:Chris     from:07/01/1990 till:10/01/1990  color:drums
 bar:Walter    from:10/01/1990 till:10/01/1993  color:drums
 bar:Emilio    from:04/01/2007 till:05/26/2023  color:drums
 bar:Chris2    from:06/09/2023 till:end         color:drums
}}

== Discography ==
=== Studio albums ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Label
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Seven Churches (album)|Seven Churches]]''
| rowspan="2"| [[Relativity Records|Relativity]]/[[Combat Records|Combat]]
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Beyond the Gates (Possessed album)|Beyond the Gates]]''
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Revelations of Oblivion]]''
| rowspan="2"| [[Nuclear Blast]]
|-
| 2026
| ''Throne of Sorrow''
|}

=== Live albums ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Label
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Agony in Paradise]]''
| Agonia
|}

=== Compilation albums ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Label
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Metal Massacre#Metal Massacre VI – 1985|Metal Massacre VI]]''
|  Metal Blade
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Victims of Death]]''
| Relativity/Combat
|-
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Resurrection (Possessed album)|Resurrection]]''
| Agonia
|-
|}

=== Extended plays ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Label
|-
| 1987
| ''[[The Eyes of Horror]]''
| Combat
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Ashes from Hell]]''
| Boneless
|-
| 2019
| ''Shadowcult''
| Nuclear Blast
|}

=== Music videos ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Label
|-
| 2019
| "Shadowcult (Official Live Video)"
| Nuclear Blast
|-
|-
| 2019
| "Graven (Official Music Video)"
| Nuclear Blast
|}

=== Documentaries ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Label
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Murder in the Front Row]]''
| Bonded by Blood
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}{{Wikinews|Former guitarist of pioneering death metal band Possessed dies in shootout with San Francisco police}}
* {{allMusic}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* [https://www.hellbound.ca/2010/11/remembering-25-years-ago-today-world-war-iii-festival/ Remembering 25 Years Ago Today: WORLD WAR III Festival]
* {{YouTube|id=Sd-fjO6uuzE|title=POSSESSED – The Creation of Death Metal (OFFICIAL DOCUMENTARY Part 1 of 4)}}

{{Possessed}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Possessed}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in California]]
[[Category:American musical quintets]]
[[Category:Combat Records artists]]
[[Category:Death metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Thrash metal musical groups from California]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1993]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1982]]
[[Category:Musical groups from the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Nuclear Blast artists]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records artists]]