Under Construction
Biography From Nuclear Blast Records
https://www.nuclearblast.de/en/label/music/band/about/4102998.possessed.html
POSSESSED took San Francisco's metal scene by storm, playing with fellow Bay Area thrashers and friends EXODUS, and other bands - many now long gone. In 1982-1983, they recorded a four song demo. One of the demo tracks, 'Swing Of The Axe' ended up on the »Metal Massacre 6 Compilation« and later on »The Best of Metal Massacre«. Released in October 1985 on Combat Records, »Seven Churches« set a new standard for extreme music. Combining lightening fast riffs, Becerra's raspy trademark growl and speedy bass playing, pummeling drums and Randy Burns' production, »Seven Churches« created a whole new genre of music - death metal. »Seven Churches« went on to be one of Combat Records' best-selling albums. Not bad for a quartet of high school kids!
»Beyond The Gates«. Released on Halloween in
1986, this album was especially well-received in Europe where they toured at the
end of the year. The album that changed the landscape of heavy metal,
»Beyond The Gates« was the highest selling Combat album that year.
After that tour, POSSESSED recorded and released »Eyes
Of Horror«, a five song EP produced by Joe Satriani.
Musically and lyrically advanced, the album touched on dark themes such as sin,
drugs and violence and, of course, the devil. Not long after the release of the
EP, LaLonde (early guitars) joined up with Les Claypool
and PRIMUS. Soon after, Mike Sus (early drums)
left to continue his studies at SFSU and Torrao (early guitars)
decided he no longer wanted to play in a band. Becerra
continued to play and joined some side projects, but mostly took time to pursue
his goals in life including his attending SFSU. In 1992, while coming home from
work, tragically, Jeff was shot twice by two different gunmen
who were attempting to rob him. It would be seventeen-and-a-half years before
Jeff was again able to resurrect POSSESSED
after receiving literally thousands of fan letters, emails and fan support.
In 2006, Becerra joined with SADISTIC INTENT
to record 'The Exorcist' for a POSSESSED
tribute album. Becerra and SADISTIC INTENT
decided to do a few live shows to satisfy fans who had been clamoring for shows
for decades. With such a positive response, Becerra and
SADISTIC INTENT continued to play a number of successful shows,
including Wacken 2007, Maryland Deathfest 2009, and 2010's »Blackest Of
The Black Tour«. This line-up breathed life into SADISTIC
INTENT and Becerra, and the two parties split amicably
to play their own styles of metal, with drummer Emilio Marquez
staying with Becerra and POSSESSED.
After making several live appearances, including Graspop Metal Meeting 2012 &
»The Fallen Angel 2012 European Tour«, »Cursed Over Europe 2014 Tour«
and the »Evil Over Europe Tour 2016«, POSSESSED is primed and
finally ready for a new era. The POSSESSED legacy has been
highly influential in the realm of extreme metal, changing the genre forever.
Ready to take it further, POSSESSED is planning several tour
dates and writing new material that will change the face of death metal once
more.