Seven Churches is the debut album from the Bay Area band Possessed, who are often considered to be the first death metal band ever. (They're definitely one of the first in the US, at least.) They were inspired by the early work of Metallica and Exodus, an opening slot for the former led to an audition for Metal Blade records. They passed, but an appearance on a compilation drew the attention of Combat Records, who released Seven Churches in 1985. The record was massively influential, credited with connecting the dots between thrash and death metal, and inspiring the likes of Napalm Death, Morbid Angel, and Opeth. Lead track "The Exorcist" begins with a snippet of "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield, a calm before the storm along the lines of the kosmische intro to Deathcrush by Mayhem, but this is quickly set aside for aggressive shredding by Larry LaLonde (later of Primus), double-time blast beats from Mike Sus, and regurgitated vocals from bassist Jeff Becerra. This album is pressed on coke bottle clear colored vinyl, and is packaged in a gatefold sleeve including full album lyrics.

• 180g coke bottle clear colored pressing
• gatefold sleeve with full lyrics and printed insert
• limited edition
• original release year: 1985
• music label: Combat 2019
  

reviewed by TYRANITAR 12/2019