POSSESSED - Jeff Becerra Interview | 40th Anniversary Seven Churches Australian Tour:

-

POSSESSED - Jeff Becerra Interview | 40th Anniversary Seven Churches Australian Tour:POSSESSED - Jeff Becerra Interview by Mark Jenkins.





When POSSESSED released "Seven Churches" in 1985, they didn't just create an album – they birthed an entire genre. At just 16 years old, Jeff Becerra unleashed some of the most savage, groundbreaking vocals metal had ever heard, literally coining the term "death metal" and setting a new benchmark for heaviness that bands are still chasing four decades later.


As the originators of death metal, POSSESSED carved out territory that DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, and countless others would later explore. Their influence on the Bay Area thrash scene alongside METALLICA, EXODUS, and TESTAMENT is undeniable, but POSSESSED went darker, faster, and more brutal than anyone else dared at the time. Those guttural growls, breakneck speed, and occult themes on "Seven Churches" were absolutely cutting-edge – this was uncharted sonic territory, and Jeff was fearlessly leading the charge while most of his peers were still in high school.


In this exclusive interview, I sat down with the legend himself, Jeff Becerra, and I've got to say – what an absolute pleasure. Jeff is not only a pioneer and an icon, but he's also one of the warmest, most chilled, and engaging people you could hope to meet. A lovely guy and a true gentleman who was generous with his time and insights.

WATCH NOW:

What We Cover:

- How POSSESSED literally named the death metal genre
- The raw, chaotic energy of the early Bay Area metal scene
- The writing and recording of "Seven Churches" – those crushing riffs that still sound brutal 40 years later
- Breaking new ground with blast beats and growled vocals before it became standard
- The story behind "The Exorcist" and the occult themes
- Why "Beyond The Gates" deserves more respect as a killer progression
- The triumphant return with "Revelations Of Oblivion" (2019)
- What drives Jeff creatively in 2025
- Modern death metal vs the original sound
- Where new fans should start their POSSESSED journey

 THIS IS HISTORIC:

POSSESSED are hitting Australia for the FIRST TIME EVER on their 40th Anniversary Seven Churches Tour in October 2025:

**Tour Dates:**
- Brisbane
- Sydney  
- **Melbourne - HALLOWEEN NIGHT** (October 31st - this will be legendary)
- Canberra

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness one of metal's most important bands perform the classics live. If you've ever headbanged to death metal, you owe it to the originators. Don't miss this.



Get tickets and come celebrate 40 years of "Seven Churches" with the band that started it all.
---

Massive thanks to Jeff Becerra for being such a legend and taking the time to chat. Absolute pleasure, mate.

🤘 POSSESSED - First in death metal, forever influential.

#Possessed #DeathMetal #JeffBecerra #SevenChurches #AustralianTour #MetalInterview #BayAreaThrash



"Bringing you the music your parents warned you about since 2018 " PLEASE REMEMBER, SUPPORT THE ARTISTS (AND US) BY SPREADING THE WORD, FOLLOWING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND REPOSTING OUR WORKS...SUPPORT THE UNDERGROUND AND OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS NOT ABOUT COMMERCIAL GAINS.

From the beginning, I felt that Heavy Metal is not just about music but also something that you feel with your heart. It is music that helps you express your emotions and feelings.
Suzuka Nakamoto

Comments

Post a Comment

Feel free to comment, but anything racist or sexist goes in the bin, as you should also.

Popular posts from this blog

Amenra interview

-
Image
Amenra moves far beyond boring stereotypical genres because they are both exceptionally original and extremely challenging. And that's exactly how music should be; equally gripping and based on unrelenting emotion. I had the honor to interview Colin H. van Eeckhout and sheer passion and devotion flow through his every response as I had expected. This will only be surpassed by seeing Amenra live as part of their current Australian debut tour. I encourage you to take the time to listen to their gripping and essential albums. Everything from their artwork, videos, and lyrics are works of a true artist and are crafted for effect and no effort is wasted. Enjoy this interview. It's beyond essential reading my friends.  First off, thank you for the great chance to chat to one of not only one of my personal favorite all time bands, but the opportunity to flush out the essence of one of the most creative musical acts in current existence. For my own experience Amen...
Read more

Bastard Squad-Interview with Jason and "Hate City" album review by Mark Jenkins

-
Image
Bastard Squad- Without a doubt one of the most influential punk bands in Australia and for me personally, the band as a teenager that introduced me to local punk and it's community. From their first demo to the current album, they have always steered away from trends and always remained as punk as fuck. Despite endless lineup changes, this band has not only toured overseas but scored support slots for pretty much every big name punk gig in Australia. Lyrically and musically they have always remained progressive, and the current album "Hate City" is a testament to this statement. I was proudly chuffed to interview Jason and also reviewed their current album. I honestly believe Bastard Squad are as pivotal to the Australian punk scene (as well as Vicious Circle, Tutti Parze and Warp Spasm) as Mindsnare is to Aussie Hardcore. Great to see Bastard Squad still kicking and not resting on their laurels, but rather challenging the sociopolitical impact of the mod...
Read more

The Apocalypse Finally Arrives Down Under My Dying Bride w/ Mikko Kotamäki - Northcote Theatre, Melbourne. Words/Photos by Dan Mc Kay

-
Image
The Apocalypse Finally Arrives Down Under My Dying Bride w/ Mikko Kotamäki - Northcote Theatre, Melbourne. Words/Photos by Dan Mc Kay Mammon's Throne The evening began with Melbourne's own Mammon's Throne laying the groundwork for what was to come. The local extreme doom quintet, fresh off their crushing self-titled sophomore effort, proved why they're considered one of Australia's most formidable heavy acts. Their sludgy, death-infused approach set the perfect tone—Matthew Miller's ominous vocals and Amesh Perera's crushing guitar work creating a sonic wasteland that prepared the congregation for the main ritual. My Dying Bride After 35 years of perpetual suffering, the Yorkshire doommongers finally graced Australian shores, and what a bittersweet pilgrimage it was. With the band's tumultuous year behind them—lineup fractures that nearly derailed everything—this felt less like a victory lap and more like a funeral procession for an era. Mikko Kotamäki...
Read more