Another crude fanzine from 1985.
One of the heaviest, (or should I say ultra-violent heavy) death metal bands today are Possessed! These guys are the heaviest when it comes to metal. If there's any way to destroy a wimp Possessed on maximum volume should succeed instantly! They formed about a year and a half ago in the Bay Area of San Franciscoo. With consisting members: Mike Torrao (lead guitar), Mike Sus (drums), Jeff Becerra (bass/vocals), and Brian Montana (guitar), who was recently replaced with Larry LaLonde. In '84 Possessed recorded a demo which contains three tracks of total brain damaging speed death! Song titles include Death Metal, Evil Warriors and Burning In Hell. Also during that recording session they recorded some other songs that are only able to be obtained by trading. Possessed are also featured on the new Metal Massacre 6 compilation album with the song Swing Of The Axe.This song is by far the best song recorded in Metal Massacre history. They have also recorded a full-length album, due out now, which is on Combat records. This album should be the heaviest record ever recorded along with Venom's Black Metal. I had a chance to interview Mike Torrao of Possessed and here are the results.
How long ago did Possessed form?
Mike - It's been one year now.
Obviously Possessed have the Venom and Slayer influences.
What are some of the older ones that have influenced you?
Mike - We have no Slayer influences, we had never even heard or seen Slayer
when the band was formed, the only time I did was when some LA band was doing
Slayer covers of them. Our main influence is Venom and Exodus.
All of the material Possessed have come up with so far is by far one
hundred miles per hour thrash!! Would the band ever try to calm down a little
and play something a bit slower?
Mike - Yes, on our second album, we want to be more on the heavy grinding
side than just being fast. Most of our stuff is so damn fast it isn't even funny!
The stuff on the second album will be more on the heavy grinding side is:
Tribulation, No Will To Live, and Beyond The Gates.
So when's the new album coming out? And what songs will appear on it?
Mike - It will be released on Combat and should be out in a month or so.
The songs that will appear on it are: The Exorcist, Pentagram, Burning
In Hell, Evil Warriors, Seven Churches, Satan's Curse, Holy Hell, Twisted
Minds, Fallen Angel, and Death Metal.
There are a lot of Possessed shows going on. To estimate it, how many
have you played so far?
Mike - 19 shows, including the one we're playing in a few days.
Where was the best show played by Possessed?
Mike - Definitely the Kabuki theatre with Venom and Slayer! The place is so
fucking big!
How do the kids react to the Possessed shows?
Mike - It's been pretty wild! They're liking us more and more, and we're
somewhat getting a following.
What can people expect to see when Possessed come to town?
Mike - A lot of flying bodies!!! We just got some pictures of 'em from the
last show we played, that will be used for the record sleeve of our album.
Have you heard any bands lately that you think are pretty big?
Mike - I heard some Celtic Frost, Destruction, Death, who's new?
Do you like any hardcore/punk?
Mike - Well I like The Mentors, I'm friends with the vocalist. I used to
listen to a lot of Discharge, but I don't listen to that shit anymore!
What song do you think best describes the band's image?
Mike - at's pretty hard to say because most of our lyrics are satanic, but
I would have to say Holy Hell or Seven Churches.
To end up this interview, is there anything you'd like to warn the
readers who purchase the upcoming Possessed LP?
Mike - Yeah! Don't let your mom and dad see it or even look at the cover.
The cover is going to be outrageous! Just tell them it's gonna be heavier
than hell!
- by Tom Capone