The following is a write-up on Possessed that appeared in an Encyclopedia of Metal in the first issue of 'Thrash Metal' from November 1987.
When we look back, years from now, on the whole thrash metal explosion, Possessed will be seen as a band that almost made it. Formed in San Francisco by vocalist/bassist Jeff Becerra, guitarist Mike Torrao, and drummer Mike Sus (they later recruited guitarist Larry Lalonde), Possessed became a favorite in the underground through their raw, primal "Death Metal" demo. A contract with Combat was signed only a year or so after the band's formation, and Seven Churches was issued in October of that year to worldwide acclaim, with even Spin magazine giving it the thumbs-up. Next album, Beyond the Gates, featured a more polished, smoother sound, thanks to Carl Canedy's production and boredom with the death metal approach on the part of Torrao and Lalonde. One thing that remained consistent, however, was Becarra's broken-bottle-lodged-in-throat vocals, which critics quickly tired of. Eyes of Horror, a mini-LP, was band's latest and final release, as internal dispute tore 'em apart. Eyes is nevertheless the most mature and accessible work by the band yet, while retaining a heavy edge. All in all, a sad loss--Possessed could have gone far.