Twisted Minds (Possessed Tribute)

The most well-known lineup (both LPs & the EP) was Becerra, Lalonde, Torrao, and Sus.

Possessed are hailed as the godfathers of the death metal genre (not to be confused with the 70's psychedelic rock band from the UK.) They're considered the first death metal group with the name coming from their first demo entitled, "Death Metal."

After the album "Beyond the Gates" was released, Larry Lalonde started to have guitar lessons with Joe Satriani, who ended up producing the "The Eyes of Horror" EP.

Possessed was formed by guitarist Mike Torrao and drummer Mike Sus (both around age 14 at this time). Jeff Becerra from Blizzard (US) came into the band, and soon was joined by second guitarist Brian Montana. This lineup recorded the 1984 demo "Death Metal", and also an appearance on Metal Massacre VI with the song "Swing of the Axe".

At this time, Brian Montana was let go due to his subpar guitar playing, and also because he did not fit in well with the band's image. Larry Lalonde, previously in Blizzard with Jeff, was brought in, and after some gigs with Exodus and other bands, the band was signed by Combat records, and the legendary "Seven Churches" was recorded. After some US touring with Slayer (US), Venom, and others, a second album was released, "Beyond the Gates". This album led to a European tour with Voivod and Deathrow, and a US tour with Dark Angel (US), the legendary Gates of Darkness tour, as Dark Angel (US) was touring in support of "Darkness Descends".

Tensions were rising within the band, and a final EP, "Eyes of Horror", was released. There were two gigs with Megadeth, and then Possessed broke up, with Mike Torrao putting the band on hold. Larry went to Blind Illusion, where he found Les Claypool and founded Primus, of all bands! In 1991, Torrao recruited Bob Yost on bass, Walter Ryan on drums, and Mark Strausberg on guitar, and recorded a demo tape and played three gigs. Then, Yost left, and was replaced by Paul Perry, and a second demo was recorded in 1993, and that was just about the end. Jeff Becerra was shot in a robbery, and paralyzed from the chest down, but has had a successful career since (he did not go insane, or become born again!). Mike Torrao works as a landscaper and has some musical projects happening too, while Mike Sus got a degree in psychology, and is a counselor in a drug treatment clinic. Possessed is now reformed with Jeff's long-time friends from Sadistic Intent filling in on all instruments, while Jeff now only handles vocals due to his disability.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• possessed
• twisted
• minds
• seven
• churches
• thrash
• death
• metal
• slayer
• morbid
• angel

[warnpassion]

Why is the clip from the movie, The Exorcist shown in the beginning? We know the meaning of the word, possessed. :P

[SlaytanicMegaforce]

@warnpassion I thought it would make a nice touch.

[ignizsteel]

@SlaytanicMegaforce hey bro great video, could you tell me where you got the pictures?

[SlaytanicMegaforce]

@ignizsteel hey man, thanks for your comment. i got it off last.fm and google.

[ignizsteel]

@SlaytanicMegaforce ok man thanks and I congratulate you for the videos, you hear great bands, metal till death

[SlaytanicMegaforce]

@ignizsteel thanks a bunch man, right back at ya.

[mattersburg71]

No, what I tried to say is that every other formation or any other line-up of this band is a joke, especially the "new" one to which I refer to as "Jeff Becerra and the Possessed Tribute band" ... I did not have in mind to apply this to any other band.

[666deathghost]

@mattersburg71 So "Death" is a joke?

[mattersburg71]

There will only be one Possessed: Becerra, Torrao, Lalonde, Sus. Everything else is GAY (haha), a joke, ridiculous.

[hjejmnse1]

@mattersburg71 He's Gay Whaaaa?

[apestasguey]

Does any remember PRIVATE EYE RECORD STORE IN COVINA.?

[metalmilitiabass]

LEGEND

[mattersburg71]

Mike T wants to thank all the sluts and groupies ;)

Though he is not writing any more his music will stand the test of time forever and a day!!!!!

And yes, why bother gays?

Possessed all line-up's fuckin' rule.

[linx0022]

@mattersburg71 why reply to a gay ass comment? XD