| Once upon a time, genuine power erupted from the sonic landscape that would come to define "old school" death metal. Like many new art forms, this genre emerged with raw, untamed energy, unburdened by oversaturation. It was POSSESSED, the pioneering force, that gave death metal its first pulse, writing in 1982 and releasing the landmark album Seven Churches, which cemented the genre’s identity. Even Chuck Schuldiner of DEATH, often hailed as a genre creator, credited Seven Churches as a profound influence. Yet, as is often the fate of pioneers, POSSESSED faced a tragic blow early in their journey, forcing them into a two-decade hiatus.
Now, after years of healing, reflection, and reinvention, POSSESSED is back with their eagerly awaited album Revelations of Oblivion, set for release in Spring 2019. The lineup, painstakingly curated, includes original frontman and songwriter Jeff Becerra (vocals), alongside Daniel Gonzalez (guitar, Nailshitter, Gruesome), Claudeous Creamer (guitar, Dragonlord, Serpent, Girth), Robert Cardenas (bass, Coffin Texts, Agent Steel), and Emilio Marquez (drums, Sadistic Intent, Brujeria). Becerra and Gonzalez, the main creative duo, ensure that Revelations of Oblivion stays true to POSSESSED's original sound, delivering the consistency fans crave. From the first notes, listeners will instantly recognize the band’s signature ferocity.
The album’s cover, painted by acclaimed Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (ABSU, DEICIDE, GORGUTS), reflects a demonic, infernal scene woven with lyrics-inspired imagery: gothic cathedrals, monstrous demons, and symbolic stained glass, all telling a rich and sinister tale. This artwork and the lyrics explore humanity’s darker undercurrents, questioning the paradoxes of religion—ideologies that preach love but sometimes fuel a thirst for power that could spell humanity's undoing. Tracks like "No More Room in Hell" paint a grim vision of Earth as a godless wasteland, while "The Word" contemplates a world deprived of divine guidance and the collapse of moral order. "Ritual" and "Graven" dive deeper into themes of hatred and fanaticism, laying bare the personal and societal toll of consuming these forces.
Co-produced by Daniel Gonzalez and executive produced by Jeff Becerra, the album was recorded at NRG and Titan Studios and mixed and mastered by Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN) at Abyss Studios in Sweden. Becerra shares, "Working with Peter was incredible. Since we hadn’t released new material in over 30 years, we knew it was critical to get the right producer. Peter’s organic approach fit perfectly with our process."
With festival season on the horizon, POSSESSED is set to announce tour dates, ready to revive the death metal inferno live on stage. Emerging from a legacy of triumph, tragedy, and rebirth, POSSESSED returns to ignite the spirit of death metal once more. Prepare for Revelations of Oblivion, the rebirth of a genre.
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