Following in the footsteps of Venom so to speak, Possessed decided to coin their own term for a new standard of metal brutality and they called it death metal, even titling a demo and a song after this new category. But whereas black metal has progressed today to the point where Venom isn't even considered black metal by some, this first stab at the most brutal style of music is undeniably death even today. The only differences today of course are the increased brutality, and the more melodic or progressive mutations. As an offshoot of thrash metal, the contemporary influences of their time are evident, bringing Slayer, Kreator, Bathory and Venom to mind. Some have even called this semi-black metal and indeed the borders between these styles were blurry at the time. But enough history and taxonomy, lets describe the music: Raw, furious and fast in the 80's style; Dynamic, varied and enjoyably unpolished; Coarse Venom-like vocals, thrash guitars, mixed thrash and death metal riffs and always interesting. There you go, now buy it.

© 1999 Zev Toledano
Original review posted at LARM!