Forbidden (band)

Last updated

Forbidden
Forbidden (band).jpg
Background information
Origin San Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S.
Genres Thrash metal
Years active
  • 1987–1997
  • 2007–2012
  • 2023–present
Labels
MembersCraig Locicero
Matt Camacho
Norman Skinner
Chris Kontos
Past members Lineups
Website Official website

Forbidden is an American thrash metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. They formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil, but would change their name in 1987. Since their formation, Forbidden have broken up and reformed twice with numerous line-up changes. After breaking up for the first time in 1997, Forbidden reunited once again in 2007, went into an indefinite hiatus in 2012, but reformed in 2023. The current line-up of the band is Norman Skinner (vocals), Craig Locicero (guitar), Matt Camacho (bass), and Chris Kontos (drums).

Contents

Along with Death Angel, Vio-lence, Defiance, Testament and Exodus (the latter of the two had featured original Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph), they were one of the most successful Bay Area thrash metal bands and earned a loyal fanbase in the underground music community and critical acclaim, with their debut album Forbidden Evil (1988) regarded by critics as a classic thrash metal album and the follow-up, Twisted into Form (1990), as something of a masterpiece within the "tech-thrash" genre. Their earlier style was technical thrash metal, but the band later experimented with alternative and groove metal elements on their fourth album Green (1997).

Forbidden has also been credited as one of the "Big Six" of the Bay Area thrash metal scene, along with Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Lȧȧz Rockit and Vio-lence. [1] [2]

History

Initial career (1985–1997)

The origins of the band date back to early 1985 when they were founded as 'Forbidden Evil' by drummer Jim Pittman and guitarist Robb Flynn (later of Vio-lence and Machine Head), with the original lineup being completed by Craig Locicero (guitar), Russ Anderson (vocals) and John Tegio (bass). Flynn named the band after a song by the Chicago band War Cry that was featured on the Metal Massacre 4 compilation. [3] They recorded demo tapes and appeared on the now-out-of-print live album The Eastern Front – Live At Ruthie's Inn . By 1986, Jim Pittman, John Tegio, and Robb Flynn left the band and were replaced by Paul Bostaph (drums), Matt Camacho (bass) and Glen Alvelais (guitar). Then in 1987, the band's name was shortened to Forbidden in order to prevent the band from being mistakenly perceived as a black metal band. [4]

After considering offers from several record labels, the band signed with Combat Records in 1988 and released their debut album Forbidden Evil in September of that year. [4] The album included three songs written by former guitarist Robb Flynn ("Chalice Of Blood", "Forbidden Evil", and "As Good As Dead"). The album was promoted by touring the U.S. and Europe for the remainder of 1988 and into 1989, sharing the stage with the likes of Testament, Exodus, Holy Moses, Sepultura, Death Angel, Sacred Reich, Voivod, Savatage, Vio-lence, Dark Angel and Pestilence (not to be confused with the Dutch death metal band of the same name). [4] When the Forbidden Evil tour ended, Alvelais left the band and was replaced by guitarist Tim Calvert. The band's only live album Raw Evil - Live at the Dynamo EP, was also released in 1989. [4]

Forbidden's second studio album, Twisted Into Form , was released in 1990, [4] which saw the band showcase a more melodic and progressive sound with many acoustic interludes and clearer production, and less of a raw edge than its predecessor. In support of this album, they opened for Death Angel on their Act III tour in Europe and North America, and also played with bands such as Exodus, Sepultura, Vicious Rumors, Sanctuary, Fates Warning, Sacred Reich, Obituary, Morbid Angel, Realm, Defiance and Forced Entry.

Internal and managerial problems led to the band leaving Combat Records in 1991. This was followed by another line-up change when drummer Paul Bostaph left to replace Dave Lombardo in Slayer. Bostaph was replaced by drummer Steve Jacobs. [4] In 1993 amidst writing and rehearsing material for Forbidden's third studio album, Craig Locicero filled the guitar slot for Death during a three-week European tour.

The band signed to GUN Records in 1994 and released their third album Distortion in November. They toured Europe with Gorefest to promote the album into 1995 and followed that with U.S. dates with Testament and Malevolent Creation. They spent 1996 writing and recording darker, angrier material for their fourth album Green which was released in early 1997. Lack of support for the album from GUN Records and no tour scheduled to promote it, as well as Locicero wanting to go in a different creative direction, led to Forbidden breaking up in 1997. He along with Matt Camacho and Steve Jacobs would soon form the first incarnation of Manmade God the same year. [5]

Reunions and Omega Wave (2001–2010)

In August 2001, Anderson, Bostaph, Alvelais and Camacho reformed for a one-time, six song performance for Chuck Billy's Thrash of the Titans benefit concert, using their original name Forbidden Evil. Guitarist Steve Smyth stood in for Craig Locicero who was unable to join the event due to his commitment to recording with Manmade God. Former guitarist Tim Calvert also performed for the final three songs of the set while drummer Jeremy Colson performed two songs on drums before Bostaph performed four songs.

In 2007 Forbidden reformed again for reunion shows to take place in 2008 both in the US and in Europe. [6] The reunion initially featured the Forbidden Evil line-up from 2001, this time including Craig Locicero but without Paul Bostaph, who had prior commitments with Testament. Gene Hoglan (of Dark Angel, Death and Strapping Young Lad fame) played drums for the band's first few reunion shows. After Hoglan, Mark Hernandez (ex-Vio-lence, Heathen, Defiance) took over on the drums for the band's European tour, which included an appearance on the main stage at Belgium's Graspop festival. They also played some Japanese dates later in the year. After the tour, Glen Alvelais quit the group, stating that he felt he "could no longer take all the accusations and distrust that came with our so-called chemistry." Guitarist Steve Smyth stepped in as Alvelais' replacement. [7] In the summer of 2009 they toured Europe and the U.S. once more, performing their second album Twisted Into Form in its entirety.

In 2009 Forbidden began talks with Nuclear Blast Records about recording a fifth studio album for the label. The new album, Omega Wave , [8] was released in 2010. [9] The band toured extensively in the U.S., Europe and South America to promote the album.

Switching drummers, hiatus and third reunion (2011–present)

In August 2011, drummer Mark Hernandez left Forbidden, citing personal reasons. Gene Hoglan replaced him for a few shows, including Alcatraz Festival. [10] In November of that year, the band announced their new drummer was Sasha Horn. [11] However, in July 2012 when Matt Camacho announced he was leaving the band to pursue his legal career and Russ Anderson stated his intention to "take a break" from the music business, Forbidden was effectively over once more, with Locicero stating in 2013: "Unfortunately, I think Russ is finished, and by the time he would want to step up and do it again, it would be too late. It became painfully obvious to me that Russ really wasn't cut out for the road anymore and that's why Forbidden broke up the first time. I ended up doing too much work and I needed everyone to step up and help me out, and the same thing started happening again; when the original members aren't really motivated, it's just not fun anymore. So I don't think I ever want to go backwards again." [12]

Although Forbidden had not performed live since 2012 nor been active since the split with Camacho and Anderson, Locicero reported in April 2016 that the band was still under contract with Nuclear Blast. Despite not ruling out the possibility of a reunion, he stated, "The schematics are very confusing here. When we ended, there was two members from out of state (one out of the country) plus Matt and Russ retired from music until further notice. All of this presents a large hurdle if we just 'wanna get together to jam.' So you must understand that it is simply not likely. But as I stated, never say never." [13]

In April 2023, Forbidden launched an official Instagram account, posting images displaying each letter of their band logo in front of a black background; those posts had led to speculation that a third reunion of Forbidden was in the works. [14] [15] [16] This reunion was officially announced on April 19, with Norman Skinner replacing Russ Anderson (who is now retired from the music industry) on vocals. [17]

Forbidden played their first show in 11 years on July 16, 2023 at Baltic Kiss in Richmond, which was held as a "secret show" under the name Twisted into Evil, [18] followed nearly a month later by an appearance at the Alcatraz festival in Kortrijk. [19] The band's additional reunion dates included opening for Death Angel at two shows in San Francisco in December 2023, and appearing at the Hell's Heroes Festival in Houston in March 2024. [20] [21] Forbidden is also currently writing new material for their next studio album, which is planned for an early 2025 release. [22] [23] [24]

Band members

Current members

Current live members

Former members

Live members

Timeline

Forbidden (band)

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Forbidden Evil
Twisted into Form
  • Released: March 30, 1990
  • Label: Combat, Relativity
Distortion
  • Released: November 30, 1994
  • Label: GUN
Green
  • Released: March 21, 1997
  • Label: GUN
Omega Wave

Live albums

TitleDetails
Raw Evil - Live at the Dynamo
  • Released: 1989
  • Label: Combat, Relativity

Compilation albums

TitleDetails
Point of No Return
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Combat, Relativity

Demo albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark Angel (band)</span> American thrash metal band

Dark Angel is an American thrash metal band from Downey, California, formed in 1981. The band's current lineup includes drummer Gene Hoglan, guitarists Eric Meyer and Laura Christine, frontman Ron Rinehart and bassist Mike Gonzalez. In its history, they have gone through many lineup changes, and as of guitarist Jim Durkin's death on March 8, 2023, there are no original members left in the current lineup of Dark Angel, although Meyer is the only member to appear on all of their studio albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testament (band)</span> American thrash metal band

Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band's current lineup comprises rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Chris Dovas. Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since reunited with Skolnick, who had been out of the band from 1992 to 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original singer Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had left to replace Paul Baloff in Exodus. Peterson and Billy are the only members to appear on all of Testament's studio albums. The band has released thirteen studio albums, four live albums, five compilation albums, thirteen singles and three DVDs. They are estimated to have sold over 1.4 million albums in the United States since the beginning of the SoundScan era, and over 14 million copies worldwide as of 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Bostaph</span> American drummer

Paul Steven Bostaph is an American drummer best known as a member of the thrash metal band Slayer, initially from 1992 to 2001, again from 2013 to 2019, and in 2024, after the reunion. His drumming career began in 1984 when he was 20 years old. In addition to Slayer, he has worked with bands such as Forbidden, Exodus, Systematic, Testament, and BlackGates. Metal-Rules.com describes Bostaph as "a true professional and one of the best drummers on today's metal music scene".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exodus (band)</span> American thrash metal band

Exodus is an American thrash metal band formed in 1979 in Richmond, California. Their current lineup consists of guitarists Gary Holt and Lee Altus, bassist Jack Gibson, drummer Tom Hunting, and lead vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza. There are no original members left in Exodus other than Hunting, who has departed from the band twice, in 1989 and 2004, but rejoined in 2007. Exodus is also notable for featuring a then-unknown Kirk Hammett, who was the band's lead guitarist from its inception to his departure in 1983, when he left to join fellow Bay Area thrash metal band Metallica as Dave Mustaine's replacement. Holt has been most consistent member throughout various lineup changes and breakups, and is the only member to appear on all of Exodus' recordings. Much of the band's career has also been affected by feuds between both band members and record companies, two extended hiatuses, deaths of former band members, and drug addictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gene Hoglan</span> American drummer

Eugene Victor Hoglan II is an American drummer, acclaimed for his creativity in drum arrangements, including use of abstract devices for percussion effects and his trademark lengthy double-kick drum rhythms. Though his playing style is very technically demanding, he retains high accuracy at extreme tempos, earning him the nicknames "The Atomic Clock" and "Human Drum Machine".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vio-lence</span> American thrash metal band

Vio-lence is an American thrash metal band formed in 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Throughout its career, they have released demo tapes, three EPs and three studio albums. Vio-lence is best-known for their association with the 1980s Bay Area thrash metal scene, and often credited as one of the leading lights of the second wave of the genre. They are also considered to be a member of the "Big Six of Bay Area Thrash Metal," alongside Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Lȧȧz Rockit and Forbidden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robb Flynn</span> American guitarist and vocalist (born 1967)

Robert ConradFlynn is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for heavy metal band Machine Head. Flynn formed the band along with Adam Duce, Logan Mader and Tony Costanza after leaving Bay Area thrash band Vio-lence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Angel</span> American thrash metal band

Death Angel is an American thrash metal band from Daly City, California, initially active from 1982 to 1991 and again since 2001. They have released nine studio albums, two demo tapes, one box set and three live albums. The band has gone through several line-up changes, leaving guitarist Rob Cavestany as the only constant member; he and vocalist Mark Osegueda are the only members of to appear on all of their studio albums.

Bay Area thrash metal referred to a steady following of heavy metal bands in the 1980s who formed and gained international status in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Along with Central Florida, the scene was widely regarded as a starting point of American thrash metal, crossover thrash and death metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Olde Wolbers</span> Belgian musician

Christian Francis Olde Wolbers is a Belgian musician, songwriter and producer. He is the bassist and backing vocalist of the rap metal/nu metal band Powerflo and the bass player of the thrash metal band Vio-lence. He is also a former bassist, guitarist and backing vocalist of the industrial metal band Fear Factory, and the hardcore punk/crossover thrash band Beowülf.

<i>Forbidden Evil</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Forbidden

Forbidden Evil is the debut album by American thrash metal band Forbidden, released in 1988. The title of the album refers to their original name before shortening it to Forbidden in 1987. The album was well received by both critics and fans and eventually became a cult classic.

<i>Twisted into Form</i> 1990 studio album by Forbidden

Twisted into Form is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Forbidden. It features one line-up change from their debut – 1988's Forbidden Evil – with Tim Calvert replacing Glen Alvelais on guitar. The result is a more melodic and progressive affair with many acoustic interludes and clearer production, but less of a raw edge than its predecessor. It is their last album with drummer Paul Bostaph before he joined Slayer in 1992 when Forbidden was on hiatus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lȧȧz Rockit</span> American thrash metal band

Lȧȧz Rockit was an American thrash metal band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1981. They are most notable for their association with the Bay Area thrash metal scene of the 1980s, and they are considered to be a member of the region's so-called "Big Six", along with Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Forbidden and Vio-lence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrash of the Titans</span> 2001 benefit concert

Thrash of the Titans was a benefit concert held on August 11, 2001, at the Maritime Hall in San Francisco, California. The concert was a co-benefit for Testament vocalist Chuck Billy, who was diagnosed with germ cell seminoma ; and Chuck Schuldiner, leader of the death metal band Death, who was also battling cancer. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was S.O.D. vocalist Billy Milano. The concert was organized by Walter Morgan. The show was announced in May 2001, and all 2300 tickets quickly sold out.

Glen Alvelais is an American heavy metal guitarist from the San Francisco Bay Area. He was the lead guitarist for the thrash metal band Forbidden and has also played in Testament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Demmel</span> American guitarist

Phil Demmel is an American musician who played lead guitar in the heavy metal band Machine Head between 2002 and 2018, making him their longest running member in that position. He has also performed with other artists such as Vio-lence, Torque, Metal Allegiance, BPMD, Kerry King and Category 7, and briefly played with Slayer, Nonpoint, Overkill, Lamb of God and Testament as a fill-in guitarist.

Phantasm was an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, active between 1986 and 1988. The supergroup included several notable members, including early Metallica bassist Ron McGovney, Hirax singer Katon W. De Pena, and prolific drummer Gene Hoglan. The band did not record an album during its period of activity, but issued live and demo material on the 2001 CD Wreckage.

<i>Omega Wave</i> 2010 studio album by Forbidden

Omega Wave is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Forbidden, released on October 22, 2010. It was the band's first studio recording in 13 years and the first album to feature two new band members, Steve Smyth on guitar and Mark Hernandez on drums. This is also the final Forbidden studio album to feature vocalist Russ Anderson.

<i>Let the World Burn</i> 2022 EP by Vio-lence

Let the World Burn is an EP by the American thrash metal band Vio-Lence, released on March 4, 2022, by Metal Blade Records. It is the band's first material of any kind since their initial disbandment in 1994, and their first EP since Torture Tactics (1991). The EP is also Vio-lence's first studio recording to feature a different lineup, with bassist Christian Olde Wolbers and rhythm guitarist Bobby Gustafson replacing Deen Dell and Robb Flynn respectively, and three-fifths of the Eternal Nightmare lineup – lead guitarist Phil Demmel, vocalist Sean Killian and drummer Perry Strickland – remaining. This is also the only recording to feature Gustafson, whom the band parted ways with in 2022, and their final recording to feature Strickland and Demmel before their departures from the band in January 2023 and February 2024, respectively.

References

  1. ↑ "Is A 'Big 6 of Bay Area Thrash Metal' Tour in the Works? 'Never Say Never', Says VIO-LENCE Guitarist". Metaladdicts.com. September 5, 2019.
  2. ↑ "'The Big 6 of Bay Area Thrash Metal' Tour or Show Might Happen One Day". Ultimate-guitar.com.
  3. ↑ "March is Metal Month: Machine Head's Robb Flynn Discusses All Things Thrash with MetalSucks, and Shares His Personal Spotify Thrash Playlist!". Metalsucks.net. March 13, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 137. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.
  5. ↑ "Zetro's Toxic Vault - Craig Locicero: Forbidden History Part 4 of 8". YouTube . Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Legendary Bay Area Thrashers Forbidden To Reunite For Select Shows". Blabbermouth.net. October 5, 2007. Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Guitarist GLEN ALVELAIS Quits FORBIDDEN; STEVE SMYTH Steps In". Blabbermouth.net. January 9, 2009. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Forbidden: New Album Title Announced". Blabbermouth.net. May 3, 2010. Archived from the original on May 6, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Forbidden: New Song To Debut On 107.7 FM's 'Bone Metal Zone'". Blabbermouth.net. August 21, 2009. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Forbidden live at Alcatraz Festival 2011". MetalTraveller.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ "FORBIDDEN Loses Drummer, Cancels European Tour". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  12. ↑ "SPIRALARMS'S CRAIG LOCICERO - AS FAR AS THE WHOLE STONER ROCK THING, WE'RE MORE LIKE STONERS THAT ROCK". Bravewords.com. November 10, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ "CRAIG LOCICERO Says Goodbye To SPIRALARMS, Comments On Possibility Of FORBIDDEN Reunion". Blabbermouth.net. April 6, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Legendary Thrash Metal Band Forbidden Launch Instagram Account, Appear to be Teasing a Reunion".
  15. ↑ "Thrash Metal Legends FORBIDDEN Appear to be Teasing a Reunion". April 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ "FORBIDDEN – Classic Thrashers Plotting a Comeback?".
  17. ↑ "San Francisco Bay Area Thrash Metal Pioneers FORBIDDEN Announce Comeback: 'This Is Not A Reunion; It's A Rebirth'". Blabbermouth.net. April 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Watch: Resurrected FORBIDDEN Plays 'Secret' Concert in Northern California". July 17, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Watch: New FORBIDDEN Lineup Performs at Belgium's ALCATRAZ Festival". August 12, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Death Angel Tour Dates".
  21. ↑ "SODOM, QUEENSRŸCHE, CANDLEMASS, FORBIDDEN and WATCHTOWER Among Confirmed Bands for 2024 HEll's HEROES Festival". June 27, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Watch: New Forbidden Lineup Performing at Belgium's Alcatraz Festival".
  23. ↑ "Forbidden - Begin Writing First Album in over a Decade".
  24. ↑ "Forbidden - No New Album Until 2025". Metal Storm. November 25, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.