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	1982–1987; 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, originally formed in 1982 in the San Francisco Bay Area. 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, and paved the way for the 1980s Bay Area thrash metal scene, along with Metallica, Exodus, Testament and Death Angel. 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, 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.