What is the best Possessed album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Seven Churches" (1985). It's the most representative of what makes Possessed worth hearing.

How many albums does Possessed have?

Possessed has 9 releases in their discography, including 7 albums and 2 EPs.

Photo: Frank Schwichtenberg · CC BY-SA 4.0

Possessed

Q: Who is Possessed for?

If you're into death metal and thrash metal, Possessed is worth your time. A torrent of rapid riffs intertwines with thunderous drumming to create an unrelenting drive, punctuated by moments of haunting melody that pierce through the chaos.

A torrent of rapid riffs intertwines with thunderous drumming to create an unrelenting drive, punctuated by moments of haunting melody that pierce through the chaos.

death metal · thrash metal

United States Est. 1983

Read about Possessed on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Seven Churches (1985)

This album is a cornerstone of death metal, showcasing Possessed's signature sound with a cohesive mix of speed and melody that defines their style.

The song

“The Exorcist” from Beyond the Gates

This track captures the essence of Possessed's intense energy and thematic elements, making it an engaging introduction to their music.

About Possessed

Possessed is a pivotal force in the world of extreme music, representing a watershed moment for heavy metal that resonates through time.

Their raw intensity and relentless energy helped carve out a space for death metal, steering the genre into darker territories while influencing countless bands that followed.

Their raw intensity and relentless energy helped carve out a space for death metal, steering the genre into darker territories while influencing countless bands that followed. By channeling aggression into their sound and performance, they not only defined a genre but also galvanized audiences to engage with music as a visceral experience. With an approach steeped in aggression and urgency, Possessed employs intricate guitar work and blistering rhythms that create a sense of chaos balanced by calculated precision. Their innovation lies in blending complex song structures with straightforward brutality, crafting an unyielding sonic landscape that compels listeners to confront the primal aspects of fear and rage. This duality invites headbanging abandon while simultaneously engaging critical thought about its themes. Lyrically, Possessed often treads dark narratives, exploring topics such as mortality, horror, and existential dread, all conveyed through a voice that oscillates between ferocity and chilling calm. Their storytelling is both visceral and impressionistic, using intense imagery and metaphor to evoke strong emotional responses rather than relying solely on direct narrative progression.

7 studio albums· 9 total releases· 3 decades· United States