Forbidden
Formed: 1987
From:
San Francisco,
CA,
United States
Last Known Status: Regrouped
Latest Forbidden News
Below is our complete Forbidden news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 117 1 2 3 ... 5 6 Last
Forbidden Cancels European Tour Dates
American thrash metal veterans Forbidden has announced that they have decided to cancel their planned tour of Europe this Summer, which was set to feature headline shows and festival appearances. A statement from the band reads as follows:
"We regret to inform our fans in the U.K. and the rest of Europe that Forbidden won’t be able to make it overseas for the scheduled June dates. Instead, we are going to focus on putting the finishing touches in the planning & promotion on our forthcoming debut album for BLKIIBLK and preparing to unleash the new music later this year.
"Of course we will be back to rage with our fans soon enough. You’d better believe we will be on a mission to make it up to each and every one of you. By then, it will be in support of the first new Forbidden album in SIXTEEN YEARS!
"We can’t fucking wait!"
Mystic Festival (PL) Announce Daily Line-ups
Starting today, you can find the festival schedule broken down by day and stage on their website. There will still be five stages — Main Stage, Park Stage, Desert Shrine, Sabbath Stage, and The Void but with a slightly different arrangement this year.
Festival passes are available via the Mystic Festival homepage here
The following bands have already been announced for this year's line-up. More...
Overkill And Forbidden Added To Mystic Festival
East Coast thrash pioneers took their name from a Motörhead track and their inspiration from both metal and punk. Their cover of The Subhumans’ “Fuck You” perfectly captures the essence of their live shows - uncompromising, raw, and driven by pure joy of playing. Decades may pass, but Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth’s gritty vocals and D.D. Verni’s crushing bass still sound like the living definition of thrash metal.
And, one of the Big Six of the Bay Area, masters of thrash that fuses imagination with technical precision. For years, Forbidden have been a breeding ground for talent – their members went on to play with heavyweights like Slayer, Machine Head, Testament, Exodus, and Nevermore. After a long hiatus, the band returned to the stage and will come to claim what’s theirs in Gdansk…
Mystic Festival will take place in Gdansk, Poland at the Gdansk Shipyard on June 3rd through 6th, 2026.
Tickets are available now on the Mystic Festival homepage here
Headline News
Forbidden Premiere First New Song In Over 15 Years
Forbidden have returned with their first new single in over 15 years, debuting “Divided By Zero,” streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below. The revitalized Bay Area thrash metal veterans — now fronted by Norman Skinner since 2023 — also premiered an accompanying music video.
Speaking on the track and visual, the band shared the following statement: More...
Report
Rain Was No Match For Brutal Assault's Second Day
The schedule for the second day of Brutal Assault was going to be more relaxed than the previous day’s. I had only penciled in seven bands to see, so there would be plenty more time to enjoy the other festivities the festival has to offer other than just stage hopping all day/night long. The weather was still unsettled by the time we arrived at the grounds during the early afternoon, but according to the forecast, the only chance of rain for the duration of the festival would be for today.
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Cool stuff lurking about the festival grounds
Year after year, there are always newer bands that go viral as popularity. One of those bands, Escuela Grind, has been on my radar but I haven’t got to check them out until this year’s Brutal Assault. Before leaving for the Czech Republic, I did a little homework and listened to them during the flight. I do like Grindcore, thus I was interested in seeing how Escuela Grind would translate onto a Brutal Assault main stage.
When Escuela Grind took to the stage, I can only liken it to a simultaneous and timed grenade detonations. There were explosions of energy in every direction with the majority coming from their lead vocalist, Katerina Economou. I can only compare her to Barney Greenway of Napalm Death fame when it comes to stage presence. During one of the breaks between songs, she stated that Brutal Assault was the largest stage that Escuela Grind had ever played on. With the excitement I saw, without any doubt, I believed her. They were so pumped to be on a main festival stage and took full advantage of it.
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Katerina Economou of Escuela Grind
After Escuela Grind, the soggy weather had returned and I had a difficult decision to make. Do I run the risk of checking out thrashers Havok knowing that it was definitely going to rain during their set? After the last night’s catastrophe during Abbath, it was a pretty easy decision. I'm sorry but I’ll have to catch you another time Havok.
The rain arrived as predicted but it weened to a drizzle by the time I had to leave to see the next band, Dopethrone. I threw on my flimsy emergency rain poncho and covered my camera with a sort of “camera condom” that’s “supposed to” keep moisture away from the camera body and lens. However, I didn’t trust the condom for use during a constant downpour like what happened during Abbath and Havok.
During the moments leading up to start of Dopethrone, there was still a bit of sound checking going on. The slender, dreadlock draped vocalist, Vincent Houde, was conversing with the soundboard engineer in a voice mimicking Butthead of Beavis and Butthead fame. Everyone that was waiting for the band to start really didn’t mind that the unplanned comedy skit was spilling onto Dopethrone’s allotted playing time.
If you haven’t figured it out already by just band’s name alone, Dopethrone is a stoner/doom metal band. If marijuana were legal in the Czech Republic, I am absolutely certain I would have gotten a contact high during their show. Dopethrone’s set consisted of plenty fuzzed out, doomelicious riffs, however Vincent Houde has another career outside of stoner/doom waiting for him in standup comedy if he ever so desires.
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Vincent Houde of Dopethrone
I have been waiting 34 years to see the next band on my list. That band was Bay Area Thrash Metal titans, Forbidden. The first time I saw them, they played on a stage that could accommodate a three-piece local band. Was today’s set worth the thirty-four-year interlude? It was a resounding YES, a thousand times over. Only two of the original members were on stage today, but it sounded just like the band I remembered from so many years ago. Even Chuck Billy from Testament was spotted headbanging from the side of the stage during their set.
The new vocalist, Norman Skinner, effortlessly nailed every one of Russ Anderson’s vocal lines. I could barely tell the difference between the two at times. Daniel Mongrain, the guitarist on loan from Voivod, was an excellent fill in choice for the second guitarist role. I heard a rumor that he might join Forbidden on a permanent basis. What does that mean for Voivod if that happens? Enough of the rumor mill. Overall, this was one of my favorite sets from this year’s Brutal Assault.
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Matt Camacho and Craig Locicero of Forbidden More...
Brutal Assault Adds Four Thrash Titans
You can look forward to a sharp dose of 80s thrash on the Josefov stages. Three names
from the American scene will be there: Forbidden and Heathen with their Bay Area
thrash, and Hirax with their characteristic maniacal blend of speed and thrash metal.
German band Exumer, known for their classic old-school approach, will complete the
quartet - a must for all Exodus and Slayer fans.
Brutal Assault will take place in the Czech Republic at the Josefov Fortress during August 7-10, 2024.
Festival passes are available HERE! More...
Dress The Dead Releases Two New Songs
Dress The Dead, the band featuring former Forbidden guitarist Craig Locicero, has posted two new songs online named "There Goes The Sun" and "Promises & Kisses." You can check them both out below. The tracks follow on from the previous single, "Knives Out," which is available now through Blood Blast Distribution.
Dress The Dead was originally formed by former Forbidden and Spiral Arms guitarist Craig Locicero in 2017 along with The Haunted vocalist Peter Dolving. After Dolving's departure and the ensuing struggle to find a suitable replacement, the young vocalist Kayla Dixon, who also fronts the band Witch Mountain, reached out to Locicero and recorded sample vocals for the song "1969". From that point forward, Dress The Dead's lineup was complete.
Also featuring guitarist Mikey Rowan (Insolence), bassist James Walker (Manmade God) and drummer Mark Hernandez (Forbidden), the collective pedigree of Dress The Dead lends itself to a sound that is anthemic and soulful, as well as accessible. More...
Headline News
Former Forbidden/Nevermore Guitarist Calvert Dead
Former Forbidden/Nevermore guitarist Tim Calvert has died after a long battle with ALS. He was only 52-years-old at the time of his death. Calvert was with Forbidden for ~ eight years and later joined Nevermore from 1997 to 2000.
Comment former bandmates and family members of Calvert of his passing:
Exhorder: Live Video From First Comeback Concert
The new lineup of thrash metal veterans Exhorder made its live debut on February 9 at the St. Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NYC. Footage of their "Legions Of Death" performance from the show can be watched below.
Exhorder now features: More...
The Rise Of L.A. Thrash Metal-Docu Out In January
An impressing list of musicians, record executives, journalists and more have taken part in the upcoming two-part ‘Inside Metal‘ documentary DVD, ‘The Rise Of L.A. Thrash Metal‘. Directed by Bob Nalbandian, the DVD will land on January 19th and showcases narration from Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.
Below you can watch a clip from the DVD in which Gene Hoglan (Testament, etc.) can be found discussing his first encounter with Metallica vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield back in 1981:
As the title suggests, the docu will focus on the early/mid-80s rise of thrash metal. Among those who were interviewed for the series are: More...
Craig Locicero Comments On Chris Cornell's Passing
Last night news broke that Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) had passed away, with news arriving this morning that the cause of death was an apparent suicide. Musicians from across the genre spectrum have expressed their condolences or extreme surprise, with Forbidden's Craig Locicero issuing this lengthy statement:
"When Alice told me that Chris Cornell was found dead, it was around midnight last night. After looking around I saw it was evidently true. Shocking and somehow not shocking, but most certainly dauntingly sad for millions of us and especially his loved ones and bandmates. When I awoke this morning it still didn't seem real, but as I opened up Instagram, every post was a Cornell picture with heartfelt words attached to them. It hit me hard in that moment. It's hitting me right now.
"In 1989 Forbidden went to the Foundations Forum in L.A. to do the schmooze thing with hundreds of other metal bands. Hair metal, thrash metal, prog metal, heavy metal...metal metal. It was like what the NAMM show has turned into these days, but worse. Or better... I dunno...
Everybody got a gift bag the first day. I didn't even sift through mine until I got home. At that time I went back to living at my parents house in Fremont for a short stay. I opened up my gift bag and found a bunch of unmemorable crap and one cassette that looked interesting to me. Didn't fit in the cheese bag. That cassette was 'Loud Than Love' by Soundgarden.
"I remember putting it on and immediately feeling transformed into a different world. One far less ridged and more free than what music was turning into commercially, even in my thrash metal genre. A world that wasn't laid into perfect lines, but was splashed in colors and emotion. Less processed, more raw emotion and power. More...
Column
Sunday Old School: Forbidden
Of all the metal scenes across the world, the eighties thrash metal scene in California is probably of the most well known, having produced such big names as Metallica and Megadeth. It’s been some time since we examined a band from the scene, so this week, Sunday Old School will be taking a look at Forbidden, one of the heaviest and most daring bands from the Bay Area. Forbidden was formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1985, originally under the moniker Forbidden Evil, by guitarist Rob Flynn and drummer Jim Pittman, who quickly joined forces with vocalist Russ Anderson, bassist John Tegio and another guitarist, Craig Loicicero. The quintet made a live record entitled, "Live at Ruthies Inn – The Eastern Front" before Tegio, Pittman and Flynn all left the band, (the last of whom would join Vio-Lence before going on to form Machine Head,) and their places were taken by Matt Camacho, Paul Bostaph and Glen Avelais respectively.
This new incarnation of the band decided to shorten their name to Forbidden, as they were afraid that the name Forbidden Evil would stereotype them as a black metal outfit. They soon signed to Combat Records, home of such other thrash contemporaries as Heathen and Nuclear Assault and in 1988, they released their first full length album, "Forbidden Evil." The record was a hit with critics and thrash metal fans alike and has since gone on to be considered one of the true classics in the genre and featured a number of songs that have become live staples such as "Chalice of Blood" and "Through Eyes of Glass," as well as the title track. More...
Forbidden Parts Ways With Bassist, Cancels WOA Gig
Bay Area thrash metal veterans Forbidden have announced that they have canceled their scheduled appearance at this year's Wacken Open Air festival in Germany, owing to the departure of long time bass player Matt Camacho, while vocalist Russ Anderson has announced that he will be taking a break from the music business. Speaking about his departure, Camacho stated:
"Playing in Forbidden has been a dream come true for me. It has allowed me to tour the world, play with and meet some of the most amazing bands, make friends for life, perform some phenomenal shows, and, most important, experience the most amazing FANS...I'll truly miss the inspiration and love that people from around the world have shown towards the MUSIC. As I leave for a new endeavor, I want to express my thanks and gratitude for all the incredible musicians both past and present who have graced their magical touch on Forbidden's music. To be a part of this band and to have these guys as friends and family for life is a true blessing. Thanks guys for the support and I look forward to seeing Forbidden carry on for years to come." More...
Forbidden Issues Album Update
Craig Locicero of U.S. thrash act Forbidden has checked in with the following brief update about the progress of working on a new album and follow-up to "Omega Wave" (reviewed here):
"Sasha leaves the Bay to go back home and be with his family tomorrow and we unload the studio today. We got A LOT of work done towards the next Forbidden record this week.
"It's funny, I can't remember ever working as many days and hours in a row as we have. There is still much to do with the other guys, but we have some ripping material being conjured up!
"No two ways about it, this stuff is faster and much more thrashtastic then anyone would expect. I think we're off to a great start!"
For more on Forbidden and updates on the recording progress, head over to the band's Facebook profile.
Forbidden Issues New Album Update
Forbidden founding member / guitarist / songwriter Craig Locicero has issued the following update about working on a new album and the status of his other projects:
“Recently I've been getting bombarded with questions as to what exactly I am doing musically because I have so many updates about my different projects. Forbidden, SpiralArms, Demonica, and now Manmade God have all been thrown out there. So please let me explain a little bit.
“At the end of 2011, I made a commitment to myself: 2012 will be the year I have the most musical gratification and fun I will ever have had in my life. So far my mission is working out pretty well.
“Forbidden. We are writing a record presently and what we have so far is smoking-shit-hot-thrash-attack! Sasha Horn has been a lightning rod for our original energy since he's joined up. The only issue we have is the amount of time we get to spend together with Steve Smyth and Sasha both living elsewhere. But we have our 'Four Dates of the Apocalypse' coming up here in April and we finish that up in Santiago, Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil! That will be awesome. While we get together to practice, we also work on new songs. Then, it’s Wacken in August and recording the new record before the end of the year for a 2013 release. I sure hope there is a 2013! More...
More Metal Added To The Rock Band Network
Happy Friday to all you Rock Band fanatics! This week there unfortunately aren't that many new metal tracks hitting the Rock Band Network, with the main track of interest coming from reactivated thrashers Forbidden and music from Otep and Pyschostick also coming to the PS3 version next week.
These songs are now available on the Xbox 360 edition of the game:
Anarchy Club - "Built to Grind" (160 MSP)
Forbidden - "Omega Wave" (160 MSP)
Strikken - "Ashes" (80 MSP)
Strikken - "Ashes (2x Bass Pedal)" (80 MSP)
These tracks will hit the PS3 on 2/28/2012 (North America) and 2/29/2012 (Europe):
Otep - "Fists Fall" ($1.99)
Psychostick - "BEER!!" ($1.99)
Forbidden Writing New Songs
Craig Locicero of thrash act Forbidden, which recruited new drummer Sasha Horn last year, has checked in with the following announcement about writing new material:
"We had our first songwriting session with Sasha, Steve and my self last night. It was extremely productive and the stuff already sounds like STRONG Forbidden material!
"We're going to take the next couple of weeks with everyone in the band and blast through as many ideas as we can as well as rehearse for the big Baloff show on February 4th. We are FIRED UP!!!"
Further details on the band's upcoming follow-up to the "Omega Wave" album (reviewed here) will be announced as they are made available.
Possessed Announces Short U.S. Tour For Feb/March
U.S. death metal pioneers Possessed have announced a string of shows in the U.S. for February 2012. The confirmed dates include:
02/24: Santa Ana, CA @ Galaxy Theater
02/25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
03/02: Richmond, VA @ Kingdom
03/03: West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
03/04: New York, NY @ BB Kings
In addition, the band will join Exodus, Forbidden and Heathen on February 4, 2012 at the Oakland Metro Opera House in Oakland, CA for the 10th Anniversary of the passing of Paul Baloff, original vocalist of Exodus. The show is dubbed "Bonded By Baloff." A trailer for the show can be seen here:
Wacken Open Air 2012 Sold Out
The organizers of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival have announced that next year's edition of the event, scheduled to take place between August 2nd - 4th in Wacken, Germany, has already sold out. A message from the organizers reads as follows:
"Amazing! Wacken is sold out for the seventh time in a row! For the seventh time in a row Wacken Open Air is sold out and never before in such a short time! All 75,000 tickets are sold. Thanx for your support, metalheads! A huge part of the billing is already announced including several special and exclusive shows as well as high-class acts. As every year we have made every effort to provide a terrific billing! And the announcements don´t stop. Via our online advent calendar at least one band will be announced every day during December. Together we will turn the 23. Wacken Open Air into a mega party!"
The currently confirmed bands are as follows: More...
Opeth Confirmed For Wacken Open Air
Swedish progressive metal veterans Opeth have been confirmed as the latest band for next year's Wacken Open Air festival, which will take place from August 2nd - 4th in Wacken, Germany.
The lineup for the festival is now as follows:
Amon Amarth
Axel Rudi Pell
Cradle Of Filth
Dark Funeral
Endstille
Forbidden
Gamma Ray
Hammerfall
Henry Rollins (Spoken Word)
Machine Head
Ministry
Napalm Death
Opeth
Paradise Lost
Scorpions
Sick Of It All
Six Feet under
U.D.O.
Watain