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Possessed (Bay Area Thrash / Death Metal Band) Classic Album – Seven Churches

POSSESSED 1985 - POSSESSED LINE-UP

Everything You Wanted To Know About The Band Possessed, but Were Afraid To Ask!

POSSESSED LINEUP Jeff Becerra and Larry Lalonde pictured
POSSESSED LINEUP Jeff Becerra and Larrt Lalonde
POSSESSED 1985 - POSSESSED LINE-UP
Everything You Wanted To Know About The Band Possessed, but Were Afraid To Ask!

Possessed is a thrash/death metal band formed in 1983 in San Fransico. They are widely credited with inventing the term “Death Metal”. The band’s classic album is “Seven Churches” came out in 1985. Their subsequent albums, “Eyes Of Horror” and “Beyond The Gates” are also quite good.

Some Interesting Possessessed Facts:

Rather than regurgitating info on their Wikipedia page, here are some interesting facts you probably don’t know:

  • Metal Blade Records passed on Possessed (even they appeared on Metal Massacre). Combat Records would later sign the band.
  • Guitarist Larry Lalonde (who played on all three albums) went on to be the guitarist for Primus. Larry met Les Claypool in Blind Illusion, not long after Primus was formed.
  • Possessed is credited by many for coining the term death metal, which is a song on 7 Churches.
  • Jeff Becerra’s guttural vocal style is considered the first “death metal vocals” – which would later become a staple for bands like Obituary.
  • The “Eyes Of Horror” LP was produced by guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani.
  • Singer Jeff Becerra was shot in a robbery in 1989 and paralyzed for life.
  • Jeff Becerra still performs under the name “Possessed” as the sole original member. On stage, he sings in a wheelchair.
  • Larry Lalonde has been a staunch vegetarian since 1983.

Listen To The Full “7 Churches” Album Here On Youtube

RATHER THAT LISTING ON YOUTUBE – PICK UP A VINYL COPY

7 Churches Artwork and Logo

Possessed 7 churches
Possessed 7 churches
Possessed 7 churches
Possessed 7 churches
Possessed 7 churches
Possessed Line Up With Larry Lalonde from Primus - sever churches
Possessed Line Up With Larry Lalonde from Primus

Seven Churches Tracklist

Tracklist
 The Exorcist – 4:50
Pentagram – 3:32
Burning In Hell – 3:07
Evil Warriors – 3:43
Seven Churches – 3:16
Satan’s Curse – 4:12
Holy Hell – 4:10
Twisted Minds – 5:10
Fallen Angel – 3:58
Death Metal – 3:12

Throwback 1985 (JEFF HANNEMAN & P) 

Possessed Line-Up

Jeff Becerra − vocals, bass
Larry LaLonde − guitar (also the guitarist for Primus)
Mike Torrao − guitar
Mike Sus − drums

POSSESSED SEVEN CHURCHES IT’S A METAL CLASSIC


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Everything You Didn’t Know About The Band Biohazard, but Were Afraid To Ask

biohazard band metal NYC hardcore

“Biohazard” was the self-titled debut album by New York thrash metal/crossover band of the same name It was released on June 30, 1990, by Maze Records.

biohazardfeaturedimage

Some Interesting Bioharzard Facts

  • Singer Evan Seinfeld’s second cousin is Jerry Seinfeld
  • During the recording of this album one of the band members (who remains unnamed) got crabs from a toilet in the studio because it was so unsanitary.
  • Very early in their Biohazard had songs like “Master Race” and “America” which labeled the band as Nazi/racist. Singer Evan Seinfeld would explain the lyrics were just for shock value to impress Peter Steele from Carnivore. Obviously, they couldn’t be that neo-Nazi as both Evan Seinfeld and Billy Graziadei are Jewish.
  • “Wrong Side of the Tracks” and “Hold My Own” were rerecorded for the band’s second album Urban Discipline. The 2004 remaster features a different cover than the original 1990 pressing.
  • Singer/bassist Evan Seinfeld was married to adult film star Tera Patrick for a brief period of time.
  • Sen Dog from Cypress Hill appears on the son “How It Is” on the “State Of The World Address” album.
  • Evan Seinfeld was on a VH1 reality show “Supergroup” with Ted Nugent, Scott Ian (Anthrax), and Sebastian Bach.
  • The song “Wrong Side Of The Tracks” was on this album and then recorded again on “Urban Discipline”, citing royalty payment problems with Maze.
  • After a brief reunion of the classic line-up in 2008, Evan Seinfeld was dismissed from the band and replaced by Scott Roberts.
  • The bands new album “Divided We Fall” was release in October 2025 with a fully reunited original lineup.

Listen To The Full Biohazard Debut On YouTube

LISTEN TO THE FIR BIOHAZARD ALBUM IN FULL ON YOUTUBE

BIOHARZARD ORGINAL ALBUM ARTWORK

biohazard cd
biohazard band metal CD
biohazard band metal NYC hardcore cd

Biohazard Line-Up Circa 1990:

biohazard band metal NYC hardcore
biohazard NYC hardcore
biohazard NYC hardcore

Evan Seinfeld – vocals, bass
Billy Graziadei – guitar, vocals
Bobby Hambel – guitar
Danny Schuler – drums

Tracklisting
No | Title | Length

  1. “Retribution” 4:26
  2. “Victory” 2:29
  3. “Blue Blood” 2:29
  4. “Howard Beach” 2:09
  5. “Wrong Side of the Tracks” 3:54
  6. “Justified Violence” 4:09
  7. “Skinny Song” 2:27
  8. “Hold My Own” 2:38
  9. “Pain” 2:35
  10. “Panic Attack” 3:30
  11. “Survival of the Fittest” 2:16
  12. “There & Back” 4:02
  13. “Scarred for Life” 4:15

Total length: 41:23

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ONSLAUGHT – Power From Hell LP 1985 (Combat Records)

onslaught power from hell lp
ONSLAUGHT LOGO
THE ONSLAUGHT BAND LOGI

ONSLAUGHT VS POSSESSED – WHO INVENTED THE TERM “DEATH METAL”?

UK-based thrash metal band Onslaught’s original release, “Power From Hell,” had a hardcore punk sound compared to their 1987 follow-up, “The Force“. This was mainly due to the more guttural vocal sound of the original singer, Paul Mahoney. In late 1985, Paul Mahoney was replaced by Sy Keeler, who joined the band as the new lead singer. The film ” The Force ” was released in 1986. The band has a much more Slayer-influenced sound than the early Discharge-sounding material.

Listen To “Power From Hell” Full Album For Free

ONSLAUGHT IS A METAL BAND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER

Sy Keeler’s vocal style was more akin to Rob Alford — a typical high-pitched 80’s singing style popular in 1985. That is why fans and critics alike consider “Power from Hell” to be superior to any of the band’s subsequent work.

ONSLAUGHT - Power From Hell LP 1985 (Combat Records)
onslaught power from hell lp
onslaught thrash band uk

The Death Metal Controversy

The Power From Hell LP was released in February 1985. It is disputed whether Onslaught or Possessed (San Francisco) coined the term “Death Metal.” Onslaught had a demo ‘Death Metal’ in 1984, Possessed has a song of the same name a Seven Churches.

Reunion In 2006

In 2005 the band reformed and continues to release albums and play shows sporadically, mostly at metal festivals in Europe

onslaught power from hell
vinyl onslaught power from hell lp
onslaught power from hell
onslaught power from hell vinly
possessed seven churches first press
onslaught power from hell

ONSLAUGHT – Power From Hell 1985 Vinyl LP Thrash Metal ORIGINAL PRESSING Combat

Side A – Death

  1. Damnation – 0:36
  2. Onslaught (Power from Hell) – 4:48
  3. Thermonuclear Devastation – 1:31
  4. Skullcrusher I – 4:39
  5. Lord of Evil – 7:07
  6. Death Metal 3:42

Side B – Metal

  1. Angels of Death – 3:21
  2. The Devil’s Legion – 4:07
  3. Steel Meets Steel – 3:55
  4. Skullcrusher II – 3:46
  5. Witch Hunt – 3:45
  6. Mighty Empress – 0:58

Total Playing Time – 42:15

Onslaught Line-Up

Paul “Mo” Mahoney – Vocals
Nige Rockett – Vocals, Guitars
Jase Stallard – Bass
Steve Grice – Drums

Power From Hell Release Info

Label: Combat Records
Licensed From – Under One Flag
Copyright (c) – Under One Flag
Distributed By – Important Record Distributors, Inc.
Recorded At – AVM Studios

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Wargasm (Thrash Metal Band) From Boston: Should Have Been The Next Metallica – Why Weren’t They?

wargasm band 3

Wargasm: File under the best thrash band that you’ve never heard of! This Boston-based power trio should have been the next Metallica, but I’m sure that had a crummy manager or record label (Profile Records) that kept them from hitting the big time. This original pressing of “Why Play Around?” is not available on iTunes.

That is how bad the music industry treated Wargasm!

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Wargasm But Were Afraid To Ask

If you’ve missed them for almost 30 years, check them out and listen to the full album on YouTube. Don’t be a fool and mess with those file-sharing or RAR download sites – they are bad news! If you are into collecting rare thrash vinyl, come back and pick this disc up. This rare, underrated metal gem qualifies as Wargasm in the Metal Bands That Should Have Been Bigger Hall of Fame!!

I grew up in Connecticut and was lucky enough to catch Wargasm live a number of times, as they were frequently the de facto local support band for national tours like DRI, Exodus, and Nuclear Assault when the band would be on tour in the New England area. 

Rich Spillberg – Guitar Wargasam

A standout was guitarist Rich Spielberg, who was crazy good – like as good as Randy Rhodes. Check out the guitar solo in the song “Revenge” (linked here). You will see as many musicians in obscure metal bands or metal bands that should be bigger — he blows away many guitar players who became much more famous.

Listen To Wargasm On YouTube Here

WARGASM WAS VOTED #1 ON OUR LIST OF METAL BANDS THAT SHOULD BE BIGGER

VOTE HERE: Why didn’t Wargasm make it?

Why Wasn’t Wargasm Bigger?

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Stats: Wargasm Why Play Around? 1988 Vinyl LP Album (ORIGINAL PRESSING) Thrash Metal

Side A

  1. Wasteland – 3:59
  2. Revenge – 7:02
  3. Bullets & Blades – 3:53
  4. Undead – 6:29 Show lyrics
  5. Merritt’s Girlfriend – 0:48

Side B

  1. Sudden Death – 5:00
  2. Wargasm – 9:17
  3. Le Cou Cou – 2:22
  4. Humanoid – 4:49

TOTAL PLAYING TIME – 43:39

“Why Play Around?” 1988 Era Line-Up of Wagram (Not to be confused with the L7 song of the same name) was…

Barry Spillberg – Drums, Back-up Vocals
Rich Spillberg – Guitars, Back-up Vocals
Bob Mayo – Bass, Lead Vocals

Credits and Details

Identifiers
Barcode: 15151-1254-1
SKU: PRO-1254
Record Label: Profile Records
Barcode (Scanned): 015151125410
Rights Society: BMI

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The 12 Best Funny Heavy Metal MEMES Of All Time

black metal Olympics heavy metal meme

It’s time to lighten the mood on this blog while still keeping it heavy! I’m talking about heavy-metal MEMES! Here are the top 12 that we know of right now! This post is constantly updated with the MEME pictures, so check back once in a while!!

Like Funny Metal MEMES? Let’s get started at #1…

1. The Cannibal Corpse MEME

You have to have somewhat of a morbid sense of humor I truly appreciate that one, but it gave me a laugh!

Next up?

2. Death Metal Dating

death metal dating meme

Heavy metal isn’t known for hot chicks. I can understand how dating some girl who claims to like death metal is: I’ve been there before. LOL

3, Marry Had A Little Lamb?

4. The Black Sabbath MEME

Black Sabbath heavy metal meme

While far from being in an unknown band, Black Sabbath never got the level of respect that the Beatles had for Led Zeppelin as British rock royalty.

I doubt they care!

5. The Faces of Death Metal MEME

faces of black metal heavy metal meme

On this one, you have to understand the reference. It is a lampoon on the documentary “Faces Of Meth” which chronicles what people look like before and after methamphetamine use. As you can see, death metal is a gateway drug to court paint and just for a less harmless.

6. Death Metal Gardening

Death Metal Gardening MEME

7. Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King at McDonald’s

It’s a classic metal meme with Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King chomping some burgers before a show. You may be metal, but not half as much as Slayer’s guitar team.

8. Heavy Metal Politics Meme

9. Vic Rattlehead vs 5 Finger Fruitpunch

10. The Metallica “St. Anger Drum Sound” MEME

11. King Diamond Nuns Have No Fun

12. Megadeth Fans vs. Metallica Fans vs. Iron Maiden Fans

I had to include this one just because you know it is true!!

That’s All For Now

Sometimes, it’s tough to be brutal when your mom wants you to work in the yard! You might smear your corpse paint!

That’s all for now; check back later when we publish our next list.

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VoiVod – War And Pain 1984 Metal Blade Records

Voivod band photo 1985

War and Pain is the debut album from Canada’s Voivod. It was released on August 1984 on Metal Blade Records. War and Pain had a much rawer punky sound than what would later characterize their later period progressive metal output. According to a 1986 TV interview – it sold over 40,000 copies within two years of its release.

Listen On Youtube

VOIVOD IS SQUARELY IN THE 100 MOST UNDERRATED METAL BANDS OF ALL TIME

Tracklisting

This Side (Iron)

“Voivod” – 4:16
“Warriors of Ice” – 5:04
“Suck Your Bone” – 3:30
“Iron Gang” – 4:15
“War and Pain” – 4:55

That Side (Blower)

“Blower” – 2:42
“Live for Violence” – 5:11
“Black City” – 5:08
“Nuclear War” – 7:01

The original cassette version also had a track after “Nuclear War” named “Condemned to the Gallows.” This was the track they recorded for the compilation album Metal Massacre V. Aside from one cassette pressing, “Condemned to the Gallows” was the only track that never appeared on the original LP or CD, nor has it been re-recorded for any future Voivod releases. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

War And Pain Sleeve and Artwork

Voivod vinyl war and pain cover
Voivod vinyl war and pain
Voivod vinyl
Voivod insert
metal blade records mercy insert

Band Photos

Voivod band photo 1986
Voivod band photo 1986 canada
VOIVOD - Voi vod band photo 1987

Voivod Players on “War And Pain”:

Denis “Snake” Bélanger – vocals
Denis “Piggy” D’Amour – guitar
Jean-Yves “Blacky” Thériault – bass
Michel “Away” Langevin – drums, artwork

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Everything You Wanted To Know About BATHORY “THE RETURN” 1986, But Were Afraid To Ask

Quorthon from Bathory band photo

How On Guy From Sweeden, Some Lawnmowers, and Poor Production Became A Template For “Real Black Metal” Sound

The Return (of the Darkness and Evil) was the second album by the Swedish black metal “band Bathory”. Bathory was not a “band” in the true sense of the word. Bathory was “the Foo-Fighters of black metal”. Quarton played every instrument, including drums. The Return was released on May 27 1985.

I can remember listening to “The Return”. I was like 13 and still lived with my parents. I was scared I was in the presence of Satan; my Catholic guilt made me hide the album under my bed. The Return later spawned a slew of copycat bands, especially in the Norwegian “true black metal” scene.

Band Photos (Even Though There Was No Real Bnd)

Listen On YouTube

FROM MY PLAYLIST OF METAL BAND THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BIGGER
THE FULL BATHORY “THE RETURN” LP

“The Return” Album Cover

BATHORY – “THE RETURN”

Tracklist

Side ‘Darkness’

1.”Revelation of Doom (Intro)” -3:27
2.”Total Destruction” – 3:50
3.”Born for Burning” – 5:13
4.”The Wind of Mayhem” – 3:13
5.”Bestial Lust (Bitch)” – 2:41

Side ‘Evil’

1. “Possessed” – 2:42
2. “The Rite of Darkness” – 2:05
3. “Reap of Evil” – 3:28
4.”Son of the Damned” – 2:48
“Sadist (Tormentor)” – 3:00
5.”The Return of the Darkness and Evil” -3:49
5. “Outro” -0:25

quarchon from Bathory
Quarton from Bathory

Art Work and Inner Sleeve

Who Was Actually In The Bathory Band

Many people don’t know this, but Bathory was a one-man band. Hence, the lack of live performances over the years. For some odd reason, other musicians credited even though Quarton himself played guitar, bass, drums, and did vocals. It is quite apparent when you listen to that album, as you can hear the tempo-shifting in the drums.

  • Quorthon (Thomas Börje Forsberg) – guitars, vocals, additional bass guitar, production, recording, mixing, album cover design
  • Andreas Johansson – bass ??
  • Stefan Larsson – drums ??

The Bathory Production Sound

This is style of raw production was copied by Bands like Darkthrone, who wanted that “scary” lo-fi in the first 2 Bathory albums. Quarton would later admit that this was not by design. He said the album sounded that because of “lawnmowers passing the studio and a poor budget.”

The Death Of Quarton

Quarton died of a heart attack on June 7th 2004, in Stockholm, Sweden. Although never confirmed, drug use was suspected to be a contributing factor. He was 39 years old.

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Volto! Incitare Featuring Danny Carey From Tool and John Ziegler 2013

volto band

Volto formed in the early 2000s but had not previously released any material. Incitare was recorded in drummer Carey’s home studio, using only live takes.

With the other members equally enthusiastic by the piece, together with art control by Tool guitarist Adam Jones, the packaging was complete. The album generally received positive reviews, being especially lauded for the technical skills present on the album.

Listen To Volto On Youtube

Tracklist:

Grip It (5:50)
Gillz (6:37)
Whopner (6:13)
Drumbeaux (8:36)
Quirk (4:09)BHP (6:03)
Meltdown (4:57)
Tocino (4:25)
I’m Calm Now (6:49)

Volto! is:

John Ziegler – guitar
Lance Morrison – bass
Danny Carey – drum
Jeff Babko – keyboards
Incitare

Released    July 23, 2013Length    53:36
Label    Concord Music Group (Source: Wikipedia)

Volto! Incitare Vinyl Featuring Danny Carey From Tool/ John Ziegler 2013

Volto Incitare Album Cover

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Trouble – Run to the Light LP 1987 Metal Blade Records – ST-73269

trouble - run to the light

Run to the Light was the third studio album by the American doom metal band Trouble, released on July 15, 1987. It was the band’s last release on Metal Blade before signing to Def American. (SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA)

Listen To Run To The Light

Tracklisting

Side one

“The Misery Shows” – 5:36
“Thinking of the Past” – 3:52
“On Borrowed Time” – 5:26
“Run to the Light” – 6:02

Side Two

“Peace of Mind” – 3:03
“Born in a Prison” – 4:49
“Tuesday’s Child” – 3:25
“The Beginning” – 5:26

Trouble “Run To The Light” Line-Up:

Eric Wagner – vocals
Bruce Franklin – guitars
Rick Wartell – guitars
Ron Holzner – bass
Dennis Lesh – drums

“Run To The Light Vinyl Artwork”

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Death – Leprosy LP 1988: Was It The Best Death Album?

death leprosy band photo

Leprosy is the second studio album by Tampa’s Death, released on August 12, 1988 on Combat Records. It is best known for the track “Pull the Plug“, which is about as close to a hit song as a band like death can get. Leprosy was much more progressive than the “Scream Bloody Gore” album. Much of this can be assigned to the engineering work of Scott Burns, who was the go-to thrash metal producer of the time.

The Many Early Death Line-Ups

death leprosy band photo
death leprosy band photo 1986
death leprosy band photo
death leprosy band photo
death leprosy

The only constant thing about Death is a continually changing lineup. Each album has almost an entirely different group of players on it outside of founder Chuck Schuldiner. This album “featured” Terry Butler, who now plays bass, and Obituary but froze up in the studio actually didn’t play on the album. Chuck Schuldiner recorded his bass parts.

Many critics and fans alike consider Leprosy to be Death’s best album. Metal radio stations and even MTV played the song “Pull the Plug” relatively frequently (at least as extreme music goes). By the time the subsequent album “Spiritual Healing” was released, almost the entire band was replaced with a new group of players outside of Chuck Schuldiner,


LeporasyTracklist

“Leprosy” 6:19
“Born Dead” 3:25
“Forgotten Past” 4:33
“Left to Die” 4:35
“Pull the Plug” 4:25
“Open Casket” 4:53
“Primitive Ways” 4:33
“Choke on It” 5:54



Death leprosy line-up:

Chuck Schuldiner – guitar, bass, vocals
Rick Rozz – guitar
Bill Andrews – drums
Terry Butler – credited with bass but did not actually play on the album