Paths of Possession

Paths of Possession occupies a unique niche in the American metal landscape, primarily known as the melodic outlet for Cannibal Corpse vocalist George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher. Formed in 1999, the band's early identity was shaped by ex-Morbid Angel guitarist Richard Brunelle, though they reached their creative peak after Fisher joined for the 2003 split 'The Crypts of Madness'.

Unlike the relentless technicality or gore-grind of the Florida scene, Paths of Possession leans heavily into melodic death metal and thrash. Their sound is characterized by Erik Rutan's signature production style: dense, punchy, and clear. Critically, they are viewed as a 'supergroup' that actually delivers a distinct identity rather than a side-project caricature. They successfully blend the harmonic sensibilities of the Gothenburg sound (At the Gates, Dark Tranquillity) with the rhythmic foundation of American thrash (Testament, Slayer). While their activity has been sporadic due to Fisher's primary commitments, their mid-2000s output remains a high-water mark for US melodic death metal.