Album Description:
In the world of heavy metal music, certain albums stand out as pivotal milestones that have shaped and defined the genre. Released in 1985, "Seven Churches" by POSSESSED, an American death metal band, remains one such influential album. This web-page delves into the significance and impact of "Seven Churches," highlighting its place in the history of metal and its enduring legacy.
To fully comprehend the significance of "Seven Churches," it is essential to understand the musical landscape of the mid-1980s. At the time, heavy metal was dominated by traditional metal bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath. However, POSSESSED, with their brutal and extreme style, took the genre in a new direction. They laid the foundation for death metal, a subgenre that would become a defining characteristic of the extreme metal scene.
"Seven Churches" introduced several groundbreaking elements that revolutionized the metal genre. POSSESSED combined the aggressive speed of thrash metal with the darkness and brutality of extreme underground acts. The album showcased relentless blast beats, intricate guitar work, and guttural growls, creating a sound that was harsh, intense, and unapologetically heavy. The fusion of these elements not only defined the death metal sound but also influenced countless bands that followed.
The lyrical content of "Seven Churches" delved into taboo and controversial subjects, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in metal at the time. The album explored themes of satanism, blasphemy, and occultism, which garnered attention and sparked outrage among conservative groups. This controversy only added to the allure of the album, drawing more attention to POSSESSED and their music.
"Seven Churches" is often regarded as the first true death metal album. Its impact on the met
Production and Recording Information
The album: "POSSESSED - Seven Churches 12" Vinyl LP Album" was produced by:
Randy Burns and Barry Kobrin
Randy Burns – Record Producer & Sound Engineer
He captured thrash when it still sounded dangerous, not "clean."
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Randy Burns is the producer/engineer I trust when metal has to hit hard without turning into mush. I clocked him in 1986 at Music Grinder, co-producing and engineering Megadeth's
"Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?"
with Mustaine: snare like a fist, bass tight, guitars sharp enough to shave with. He makes chaos readable, no fake gloss. His 80s run is a straight line of troublemaking: Suicidal Tendencies (engineer, 1983), Possessed
"Seven Churches"
(producer, 1985), Dark Angel
"Darkness Descends"
(producer/engineer, 1986), Death
"Scream Bloody Gore"
(producer, 1987), Nuclear Assault
"Survive"
(1988) and
"Handle with Care"
(1989), then Kreator "Coma of Souls" (1990).
