Beyond the Gates by Possessed

Beyond the Gates is the second album by death metal band Possessed. It took a different direction from their debut, Seven Churches. Compared to Seven Churches, Beyond the Gates has a more technical feeling and, due to poor production, a muddy sound. Reception was mixed, with some very disappointed by the album for the sound and production, while others were happy with the new direction of the band. Beyond the Gates became a sign of Possessed's decline, as they only released the EP The Eyes of Horror before they officially disbanded. This became the band’s last full length album, up until the release of their third studio album ‘Revelations of Oblivion’, 33 years later. The vinyl release of the album featured an enhanced gatefold-style format: the "gates" of the front cover opened outward, exposing several flaps that opened further to reveal a large, nine-panel illustration of a line of demonic creatures approaching over a desert landscape. Lyrics were included on the inner sleeve. In a recent Guitar World magazine, Possessed lead singer Jeff Becerra said Beyond the Gates was meant to be more of a commercial record, as their previous album had been banned from all major record stores, because of the upside down cross on the cover.