POSSESSED - Seven Churches - Roadrunner Records 12" Vinyl LP Album

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 is an American Music producer , Sound Engineer , and sound mixer. Responsible for the recorded sound of many Heavy Metal bands during the 1980s. Bands he has worked with include: 3rd Stage Alert , Agent Steel , Aversion , Bitter End , Chris Poland ( Band ) , Crumbsuckers , Dark Age , Dark Angel , DBC , Dead End , Death , Excel , Helstar , Kreator , Leatherwolf , Lizzy Borden , Ludichrist , Megadeth , Morgoth , Mortal Sin , Nuclear Assault , Possessed , Suicidal Tendencies , Uncle Sam , Zoetrope.

Musicians:

• Jeff Becerra - vocals, bass

  Jeff Becerra - Vocals, Bass is one of the founding members of the American Death/Thrash Metal band "Possessed" and has been in this band since 1983. Other bands he has played in are Blizzard, Misery, Side Effect, Sub-zero.

• Larry LaLonde - guitar

  Larry LaLonde (real name: Reed Lawrence LaLonde) - Guitars. Has been playing guitar with the Heavy Metal bands: 1984-1987 Possessed and also Blind Illusion, Blizzard, Caca, Corrupted Morals, No Forcefield, Primus

• Mike Torrao - guitar

  Mike Torrao - Guitar, one of the fouding members of the American Death Metal band Possessed. He has also played in the bands: Blitzkrieg, Iconklast, Infanticide.

• Mike Sus - drums

  Mike Sus - Drums, one of the founding members of the American Death Metal band "Possessed".

Tracklisting:

1. The Exorcist - 4:51
2. Pentagram - 3:34
3. Burning in Hell - 3:10
4. Evil Warriors - 3:44
5. Seven Churches - 3:14
6. Satan's Curse - 4:15
7. Holy Hell - 4:11
8. Twisted Minds - 5:10
9. Fallen Angel - 3:58
10. Death Metal - 3:14