Possessed
Seven Churches


5.0
classic

Review

by Philthereaper USER (12 Reviews)
June 13th, 2023 | 38 replies


Release Date: 1985 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The trvest of trve death metal

Prepare yourself, fellow metalheads, for a revelation that will shake the very foundations of what you thought you knew about the birth of death metal. Contrary to popular belief, it is not Death's Scream Bloody Gore that holds the title of the trve creator of this genre. No, that honor belongs to the infernal forces of Possessed and their seminal debut album, Seven Churches. Brace yourselves as we embark on a journey into the dark and sinister realms of true death metal!

From the moment the needle hits the vinyl or the speakers unleash the sonic onslaught, Seven Churches unveils its true power, grabbing you by the throat and refusing to let go. This album is a relentless, demonic masterpiece that shattered boundaries, broke molds, and set the stage for the whole subgenre that would soon consume the metal world. Possessed's unholy alliance of wicked riffs, maniacal drumming, and possessed vocals forged a new path that countless bands would later tread upon. What sets it apart from its contemporaries, and indeed from Death's Scream Bloody Gore, is its sheer audacity and uncompromising spirit. Possessed didn't just dabble in darkness; they fully embraced it, channeling their sinister energy into every facet of their music. Each track feels like an unholy ritual, an invocation of pure evil that leaves no room for doubt.

The guitar work on this album is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From the menacing riffage of "The Exorcist" to the diabolical hooks of "Pentagram" and the blistering solos in "Burning in Hell," the trve essence of death metal is etched into every note. The rhythm section, with its relentless barrage of thunderous drums and pulsating bass lines, creates a foundation of sonic brutality that is impossible to ignore. And let us not forget the vocals of Jeff Becerra, a true conduit of darkness. His guttural growls and unhinged shrieks unleash the very essence of evil, sending shivers down your spine and leaving you in a state of both terror and exhilaration. Becerra's performance is nothing short of mesmerizing, a haunting testament to the boundless depths of his demonic possession.

It is important to recognize that Possessed's Seven Churches was unleashed upon the world a full year before Death's Scream Bloody Gore. While Death's album undoubtedly made significant contributions to the genre, it is Seven Churches that pioneered the core elements that define death metal as we know it today. Possessed's uncompromising devotion to darkness, their groundbreaking musicianship, and their unrelenting aggression deserve the utmost respect and recognition.

In conclusion, Possessed's Seven Churches is the true creator of death metal, a masterpiece that laid the foundation for an entire genre. Let us not be swayed by popular belief or misguided opinions; instead, let us embrace the unholy truth and celebrate the wicked brilliance of Possessed. Seven Churches stands as a testament to the enduring power of trve death metal, forever etched in the annals of metal history. Hail Possessed, the rightful pioneers of darkness and the true architects of the genre!



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user ratings (739)
4.1
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
Azog
June 13th 2023


1070 Comments


A timeless classic indeed.

SixtyNineFourTwenty
June 13th 2023


35 Comments


It's too bad they couldn't a second one of these, but it goes to show how great this album is!

NightOnDrunkMountain
Contributing Reviewer
June 13th 2023


638 Comments


Is this the first death metal album ever?

sneakers
June 13th 2023


1286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Rules

Ryus
June 13th 2023


36675 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

u dont wanna open that can of worms again lmao



it rules tho for sure

sneakers
June 13th 2023


1286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Posd

Koris
Staff Reviewer
June 13th 2023


21126 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I mean, the reviewer already opened that can of worms himself



Can't wait for another 10 pages of "first DM album or not" discourse

NightOnDrunkMountain
Contributing Reviewer
June 13th 2023


638 Comments


Schrödinger's death metal

budgie
June 13th 2023


35197 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

thrash metal record

Koris
Staff Reviewer
June 13th 2023


21126 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Death-thrash record

Demon of the Fall
June 13th 2023


33666 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

thrashy deathy thrash death

budgie
June 13th 2023


35197 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

i will eliminate u koris

sneakers
June 13th 2023


1286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

love this guys trve metal persona, KILL FLSE METAL

sneakers
June 13th 2023


1286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

and KILL P0SERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!!!!11!!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

budgie
June 13th 2023


35197 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

KILL POSERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gavierra
June 13th 2023


423 Comments


So much insecure closet soyboy energy coming from this reviewer

budgie
June 13th 2023


35197 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

LEAVE PHIL ALONE!!!!!!

SomeCallMeTim
June 13th 2023


4085 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

"Is this the first death metal album ever?"



plenty of albums could be considered the first death metal album depending on which albums from the 80s you'd consider 'death metal'. I'd argue dm wasn't created with any one album or band, it was an ongoing and collective process from thrash/black/crossover bands at the time, but the fact that this album had a song called 'death metal' and the band Death released Scream Bloody Gore in 87 which continued that developing sound it gave journalists and critics a reason to label those two bands the first 'death metal' bands.

sneakers
June 13th 2023


1286 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

true ^

SixtyNineFourTwenty
June 13th 2023


35 Comments


Perhaps the deathiest thrash to ever be death-thrash?



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