Possessed (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States |
| Founder | Mike Torrao, Mike Sus |
| Headquarters | San Francisco Bay Area , United States |
Key people | Jeff Becerra (vocals, bass), Mike Torrao (guitar), Larry LaLonde (former guitarist) |
| Products | Studio albums: Seven Churches (1985), Beyond the Gates (1986), Revelations of Oblivion (2019); live album; compilation albums; EPs |
Possessed is a pioneering American death metal group established in 1982 within the San Francisco Bay Area. Renowned for their rapid instrumentation and Jeff Becerra's guttural vocal style, they are frequently recognized as the inaugural death metal band,[1] playing a crucial role in shaping the 1980s Bay Area thrash metal movement alongside acts such as Metallica, Exodus, Testament, and Death Angel.[2] This band also served as the launching pad for guitarist Larry LaLonde, who later gained fame with Primus.
Following their initial split in 1987 and a brief reunion from 1990 to 1993,[3] Possessed reassembled once more in 2007, led by original bassist and frontman Jeff Becerra. Their body of work comprises three studio albums: Seven Churches (1985), Beyond the Gates (1986), and Revelations of Oblivion (2019), alongside one live album, two compilation records, and two EPs.
Formation (1982–1983)
The origins of the band trace back to 1982 in the San Francisco Bay Area, when guitarists Mike Torrao and drummer Mike Sus, residents of San Pablo and El Sobrante respectively, formed a garage ensemble with vocalist Barry Fisk and former Exodus bassist Jeff Andrews under the name Possessed. Following Fisk's suicide and Andrews' exit, Jeff Becerra stepped in as bassist and vocalist. The group then added guitarist Brian Montana, establishing Possessed’s second lineup.
Initial career (1983–1987)
Throughout 1983 and 1984, Possessed refined their musical style by performing locally within the Bay Area thrash circuit. Their 1984 demo titled Death Metal, featuring three tracks, attracted Metal Blade Records’ Brian Slagel’s attention, leading to their song "Swing of the Axe" being featured on Metal Massacre VI. After Montana left due to creative disagreements, Larry LaLonde joined as guitarist. The band also appointed Debbie Abono as their manager.
Under Combat Records, Possessed launched their debut album Seven Churches in 1985, with Roadrunner Records distributing it across Europe. They promoted this release through tours that included a significant appearance at Montreal’s WWIII Weekend Festival alongside Celtic Frost and Voivod. In 1986, they shared stages with Slayer and Venom at San Francisco’s Kabuki Theatre.
Their sophomore effort, Beyond the Gates, arrived on Halloween 1986, followed by a European tour supporting Voivod and U.S. shows opening for Dark Angel. In May 1987, they issued the EP The Eyes of Horror, produced by Joe Satriani; this release showcased a stylistic shift towards thrash metal and moved away from their earlier satanic motifs. Internal conflicts ultimately caused the band to dissolve shortly thereafter.
In 1989, Jeff Becerra suffered gunshot wounds during an armed robbery that left him paralyzed from the chest down. Despite this life-altering event, he remained engaged in death, black, and thrash metal communities. Becerra later overcame battles with substance addiction and completed a degree in labor studies, with intentions to pursue legal education.
Reformations and recent developments (1990–present)
In 1990, Mike Torrao reassembled Possessed, assuming lead vocal duties and producing demos in 1991 and 1993; however, the band was unable to regain its previous traction and soon dissolved. These early demo recordings were later re-released in 2015 on Desecration's retrospective collection Dead... Yet, Not Forgotten; notably, Desecration's drummer Bob Yost had been part of Torrao's iteration of Possessed.
Original vocalist and bassist Jeff Becerra revived Possessed in 2007 for a performance at the Wacken Open Air festival, supported by members of Sadistic Intent—a band featured on the 2004 tribute album Seven Gates of Horror. This formation also appeared at the Gathering of the Bestial Legions III festival and Maryland Deathfest VIII in 2010. Following tours alongside Danzig and Marduk, some musicians returned to Sadistic Intent, while drummer Emilio Marquez continued with Possessed.
By late 2012, the band commenced crafting new material for their first studio release since 1986’s Beyond the Gates, unveiling several fresh tracks during live shows. In 2017, Possessed secured a three-album contract with Nuclear Blast Records. The lineup at that time consisted of Becerra, Marquez, guitarists Daniel Gonzalez and Claudeous Creamer, plus bassist Robert Cardenas. Their third studio album, Revelations of Oblivion, was launched on May 10, 2019—marking their first album in over three decades—and entered the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart at number seven.
In February 2021, Becerra revealed intentions to compose new songs following the Revelations of Oblivion tour. By September that year, he had regained the ability to walk for the first time in thirty years using robotic prosthetics. In December 2023, Becerra confirmed that recording sessions for a new album were planned for 2024.
Former guitarist Brian Montana passed away on April 28, 2025, after a police shooting incident connected to an altercation involving alcohol. Becerra honored Montana on the band’s Instagram page, remembering him as cheerful and lighthearted—characteristics that contributed to his early exit from Possessed due to creative differences.
In 2025, Possessed launched a worldwide tour commemorating the 40th anniversary of Seven Churches, which included their inaugural performances in Australia during October. In an interview, Becerra disclosed that Throne of Sorrow was a tentative title for their forthcoming album succeeding Revelations of Oblivion.
Musical style and influences
Four key members of Possessed—vocalist/bassist Jeff Becerra along with former guitarists Mike Torrao, Brian Montana, and Larry LaLonde—have cited early Exodus and Venom as major inspirations. They also drew influence from new wave of British heavy metal bands such as Motörhead, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest, as well as groups like Rush, Scorpions, and Van Halen. Although AllMusic has noted Slayer’s influence on Seven Churches, it is important to point out that Slayer’s debut album Show No Mercy was released after Possessed had already begun composing material for their demo and debut record. The lyrical themes predominantly revolved around Satanism and death.
Legacy and influence
Possessed is widely acknowledged as the pioneering death metal band due to their early adoption of guttural vocals, rapid drumming techniques, and tremolo-picked guitar riffs. In 2004, Jeff Becerra asserted that he originated the term "death metal" in 1983. Their debut album Seven Churches significantly influenced influential acts such as Death, Pestilence, Sepultura, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Sadistic Intent, Cannibal Corpse, Gorguts, Sinister, Vader, God Dethroned, and Amon Amarth. Several of these bands contributed to a tribute album released in 2004 honoring Possessed. Cannibal Corpse notably covered Possessed’s track "The Exorcist" on their 1993 EP Hammer Smashed Face.
Despite limited live appearances within the Bay Area scene, Possessed achieved considerable recognition across Europe’s metal community. Members of Napalm Death credit Possessed with inspiring their transition from grindcore to death metal following their album Scum. The band also influenced black metal groups including Germany’s Falkenbach, Greece’s Rotting Christ, Switzerland’s Samael, and Norway’s Dimmu Borgir.
Chuck Schuldiner of Death praised Possessed for their groundbreaking songwriting and musical innovation that enabled other bands to broaden their sonic horizons. Drummer Kam Lee acknowledged that Possessed’s demo motivated Death to move beyond their earlier Venom/Motörhead-inspired sound. Author Daniel Ekeroth characterized Possessed's 1984 Death Metal demo as foundational in establishing death metal’s signature elements through intricate riffs, raw production quality, and Becerra’s distinctive vocal delivery.
Debbie Abono served as Possessed’s initial manager; although new to heavy metal management at the time, she went on to represent prominent Bay Area thrash and death metal bands such as Exodus, Vio-lence, Forbidden Evil, Broken Hope, Cynic, and Obituary. Despite occasional conflicts leading to her departure from managing Possessed specifically, Abono became a respected figure within metal management circles.
While Seven Churches received acclaim for its speed and vocal ferocity, its follow-up album Beyond the Gates, released on Halloween 1986, met with disappointment from both fans and critics due to inferior production values and diminished impact. The band members themselves expressed dissatisfaction regarding the album’s sound quality and reception.
Additional Endeavors
In 1993, former drummer Mike Sus transitioned away from the music industry to focus on psychology and currently serves as a counselor specializing in drug addiction, assisting individuals in recovery.
Larry LaLonde, who previously played guitar, initially joined the Bay Area thrash metal group Blind Illusion, contributing to their 1988 album The Sane Asylum. He later became a member of the prominent funk metal ensemble Primus in 1989, which was fronted by ex-Blind Illusion bassist Les Claypool.
In 1995, ex-guitarist Mike Torrão became part of the death metal outfit Infanticide; however, the band dissolved in 1997 without issuing any recordings. Subsequently, he pursued landscaping work while maintaining musical activities on a part-time basis. As of 2008, Torrão was active with the San Francisco Bay Area group INaCAGE.
Band Members
Current
- Jeff Becerra – vocals , bass
- Daniel Gonzalez – guitars
- Robert Cardenas – bass
- Claudeous Creamer – guitars
- Chris Aguirre – drums
Former
- Mike Torrão – guitars , vocals
- Mike Sus – drums
- Barry Fisk – vocals
- Jeff Andrews – bass
- Brian Montana – guitars
- Larry LaLonde – guitars
- Duane Connley – guitars
- Dave Alex Couch – guitars
- Colin Carmichael – drums
- Chris Stolle – drums
- Bob Yost – bass
- Mark Strausburg – guitars
- Walter Ryan – drums
- Paul Perry – bass
- Mike Hollman – guitars
- Emilio Márquez – drums
- Ernesto Bueno – guitars
- Rick Cortez – guitars
- Bay Cortez – bass
- Tony Campos – bass
- Kelly McLauchlin – guitars
- Mike Pardi – guitars
Timeline
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Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Seven Churches | Relativity/Combat |
| 1986 | Beyond the Gates | |
| 2019 | Revelations of Oblivion | Nuclear Blast |
| 2026 | Throne of Sorrow |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Agony in Paradise | Agonia |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Metal Massacre VI | Metal Blade |
| 1992 | Victims of Death | Relativity/Combat |
| 2003 | Resurrection | Agonia |
Extended plays
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | The Eyes of Horror | Combat |
| 2006 | Ashes from Hell | Boneless |
| 2019 | Shadowcult | Nuclear Blast |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Shadowcult (Official Live Video)" | Nuclear Blast |
| 2019 | "Graven (Official Music Video)" | Nuclear Blast |
Documentaries
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Murder in the Front Row | Bonded by Blood |