For decades, Jeff Becerra has been one of death metal’s most resilient figures — surviving paralysis, rebuilding his career, and keeping Possessed alive on the global stage. But in recent months, the band’s touring presence in the U.S. and Canada has become a noticeable question mark.
While Latin American dates have gone ahead without issue, several planned North American appearances have quietly vanished from the calendar. The most recent example came earlier this month, when the Canadian leg of Possessed’s 40th Anniversary Seven Churches Tour with Necronomicon was abruptly cancelled. Necronomicon stated that the tour’s booker had pulled “all of the shows he was planning,” not just this run.
This follows a pattern that began earlier in the year. Back in March, Possessed was announced as a replacement act on the “Swarm of Horrors” tour with Exodus, only to be replaced themselves days later by Havok. Officially, the change was chalked up to “recent medical issues and limitations” — understandable, given Becerra’s paralysis and health challenges. But the swap came amid renewed discussion of serious allegations that surfaced in late 2024, when a teenage fan accused Becerra of inappropriate online conduct.
Becerra has denied the allegations, releasing a lengthy statement in which he acknowledged being “too cavalier” in his online interactions but firmly rejected any intent to pursue a relationship with a minor. Still, the controversy hasn’t disappeared from comment sections and fan discussions, and at least one band — Cryophilic — publicly dropped from a September Toronto date, citing the allegations directly.
Whether the recent show cancellations are the result of health concerns, business logistics, or industry reaction to the accusations is unclear. Promoters have given varying reasons, and Becerra himself has not tied any of the dropped dates to the controversy. However, it’s difficult not to notice that Possessed’s recent cancellations and replacements seem clustered in North America.
Is this a coincidence, or is there an unspoken hesitancy to book Possessed in the U.S. and Canada right now? For now, the band’s immediate North American touring future remains uncertain — and fans are left wondering whether they’ll see Possessed live on home soil anytime soon.
