Jeff Becerra: Possed Is The First Death Metal Band

Possessed Vocalist Jeff Becerra (Instagram @possed_official)

JAKARTA - In a new interview with Jerry Kurunen from Rauta Finland, Possessed vocalist Jeff Becerra was asked if his band had the right to be considered the person who first created the term "death metal" in 1983.

Becerra answered with confidence and at the same time gave the most reasonable reason.

"One hundred percent! I have a copyright in 1983. Possed is the first death metal band," Becerra started.

"That doesn't mean we created death metal; it just means we were the first [calling ourselves death metal]. Because every band after that makes their own work. So, yes, we were the first, my friend. And I'm surprised someone didn't think about it before, to be honest. That's very clear," he continued.

"At that time, you have to realize, with a slight exception maybe Slayer, Creators, Sodom, Destruction, Exodus most thrash metal bands and with all respect are the types of braids that roll," he explained.

"They're going to say, 'Oh, we're so tough,' but they're never really tough. 'We're so bad.' And there's nothing wrong with that, but that's not what surprised us."

"I happened to meet [former Possessed guitarist Mike Torrao at a very important time in our lives, and we just said,'endow me with the world. Join me with everything. And let's make the hardest and most devil-smelling music in the world'."

"Dan thrash metal diambil, black metal diambil, speed metal diambil, power metal diambil. Kenapa bukan death metal? Seperti, 'Oke.' Lalu saya menulis sebuah lagu berjudul 'Death Metal', dan itu saja. Tapi itu lebih tentang musiknya dan kemudian judulnya, tapi judulnya sepertinya lebih penting daripada musiknya. Saya tidak tahu."

"Currently Possessed gets more recognition, but we're not one of those famous bands; we're still underground. You're really lucky to be recognized in your life."

While Death is considered one of the most important and all-time influential death metal bands, the Florida-based band has not released its debut album, Scream Bloody Gore, until 1987 two years after the arrival of the Possessed's Seven Churches.