Possessed is a pioneering American death metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area, formed in 1982. Renowned for their aggressive speed and Jeff Becerra’s distinctive growled vocals, they are widely credited as the first band in the death metal genre and influenced the Bay Area thrash scene alongside acts like Metallica, Exodus, Testament, and Death Angel. The group also featured guitarist Larry LaLonde, later of Primus, during the mid-1980s. After several breakups and reunions, Possessed has remained active since 2007 with Becerra at the helm. Their major releases include the influential albums Seven Churches, Beyond the Gates, and Revelations of Oblivion.