Bay Area Thrashers FORBIDDEN Announce Self-Titled Album Set for Release on October 23rd via BLKIIBLK

Today, thrash metal pioneers FORBIDDEN are proud to announce their new self-titled album, set for release on October 23rd via BLKIIBLK, marking the band's first full-length release since 2010. To celebrate the announcement and offer fans a taste of what to expect, FORBIDDEN unleashes their new single, "Psyclops," alongside an official video.

About the new single, guitarist Craig Locicero shares:

"'Psyclops' was the final song completed for our newest self-titled offering. It was part of the last batch of music completed with Jeremy Von Epp & myself on the home stretch of our writing sessions & it came together quickly. The song itself is a hypnotizing stomper. Heavy footed like millions of people marching against how things stand in the status quo. Norman’s lyrics for 'Psyclops' should be left to the interpretation of the listeners. The chorus paints a vivid picture…'Forsaken, fast asleep and trapped inside a maze, Complacent eyes securely locked in an obscure gaze.'”

Watch the Official Video for "Psyclops" Below:

FORBIDDEN’s legacy is one of being the youngest, hungriest and most ambitious of the Bay Area brethren that has launched metal paradigm-shifters from Metallica to Machine Head. With a reconstituted lineup, guitarist Craig Locicero and bassist Matt Camacho, have crafted an hour-plus masterpiece of thrashy predilection, emotive musical movements, and prog-scraping sonic ambitions. From the intensity of opening track, “Single Point Failure” to the philosophical shades of the 9-minute closer, “Flower of Life,” this is FORBIDDEN not merely stretching beyond the steely foundations of 1988’s classic ‘Forbidden Evil’ or the quantum leap of 1990’s ‘Twisted Into Form,’ but the sound of a band with a new sense of scope and purpose. Produced by Locicero, Kontos & Zach Ohren (Machine Head), ‘Forbidden’ isn’t merely a revival for quintet, but full-blown reinvigoration and purgative endpoint for this Bay Area metal institution.

Locicero comments on the album:

"Making 'Forbidden' felt more like an odyssey than a typical recording process. We set out to create a record that reminds people why they fell in love with thrash and heavy metal in the first place, embracing raw energy, melody, and the imperfections that give heavy music its character. Every member brought their best, and having Brann Dailor (Mastodon) join us on'Sycophantasy' was an incredible addition. 'Forbidden' is five lifetimes of experience forged into one piece of metallic art."

Pre-Order 'Forbidden' HERE

FORBIDDEN is excited to be hitting the road in support of their upcoming self-titled album on a run of headlining tour dates supported by Heathen and Void.

FORBIDDEN Live:

10/23 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place

10/25 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

10/26 - Denver, CO @ Federal Theatre

10/28 - Iowa City, IA @ Gabes

10/29 - Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club

10/30 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies

10/31 - Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge

11/01 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground

11/02 - Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater

11/04 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs)

11/05 - Brooklyn, NY @ TBD

11/07 - Albany, NY @ Empire Underground

11/08 - Lititz, PA @ Mickey's Black Box

11/09 - Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819

11/10 - Greenville, SC @ Radio Room

11/12 - Orlando, FL @ Conduit

11/13 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Altar)

11/15 - Destin, FL @ Club LA

11/17 - Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live

11/18 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

11/20 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

11/21 - Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress

11/22 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom

Tickets and more information can be found HERE

Forbidden Release "Mutually Assured Dysfunction" Video

Bay Area thrash legends FORBIDDEN released the video for their first new song in over 15 years with "Divided By Zero" earlier this summer. Watch it here.

They follow up with the video for another new single — "Mutually Assured Dysfunction." It's a riff roarin' rager. 

Watch it below. 

"'Mutually Assured Dysfunction' is our aggressive follow-up to 'Divided By Zero,'" the band says. "Like a crack to the skull, it lands hard. It's about the DNA of endless arguments that people engage in. Sound bites over substance. This rationale is based upon the M.A.D. agreement of Rational Actors: A doctrine that assumes world leaders will be rational and self-preserving. Therefore, they will avoid any actions that would lead to their own country's demise. This leap of faith leads to the kind of dysfunction that will ultimately lead to our destruction as a species."

A crack to the skull — in more ways than one!

The band's forthcomingtour dates are below.

FORBIDDEN LIVE:
10/12 — Grita Festival — Manizales, Columbia

FORBIDDEN ARE:
Norman Skinner — Vocals
Craig Locicero — Guitar
Dan Mongrain — Guitar
Matt Camacho — Bass
Chris Kontos — Drums

ABOUT FORBIDDEN:
Forbidden were founded in 1985 as Forbidden Evil by singer Russ Anderson and guitarists Craig Locicero and Robb Flynn, bassist John Tegio, and drummer Jim Pittman while in their respective Fremont California High Schools. The quintet started playing house parties and Bay Area clubs such as the Legendary Ruthie’s Inn soon after. After a couple of lineup changes (Paul Bostaph/drums and Matt Camacho/bass) in '86, the band quickly rose through the ranks of Bay Area Thrash to gain a following and notoriety.

Flynn joined VIO-LENCE late '86, and Glen Alvelais was added as the second guitarist. It was this lineup that cemented itself into the Bay Area scene and soon after recorded 1988 release Forbidden Evil for Combat Records. After signing with Combat, the band decided that taking the "Evil" out of the name left them more options and leeway for a future without negative stigma or limitations. In 1989, they started the writing process for their second release, Twisted Into Form, released in April of 1990. This album landed more of a spotlight on the band with its critical acclaim. They supported the album with extensive tours with another legendary Bay Area Thrash band — Death Angel. Both outfits were riding a wave of critical acclaim and solid album sales through the Golden Age of Thrash Metal 1990.

In 1991, Forbidden began working on their third offering, compiling over 2 albums worth of material, which eventually became 1994's Distortion on G.U.N. Records. The band would tour throughout 1994 and 1995, with both Testament and Malevolent Creation. The industry's climate and lack of interest for thrash metal  in the mid-90s left the band frustrated and the writing during this era became their fourth album, Green, in 1996, which also led to their eventual breakup of Forbidden in 1997.

Remaining dormant until 2008 when, at the screening of the movie Get Thrashed, Locicero became inspired and contacted the band to reunite. Calvert (then an airline pilot) and Bostaph (Testament's then-drummer) weren't available, After a few lineup changes, the band recorded their 2010 comeback album Omega Wave. After touring stateside with Overkill, as well as a headline run and multiple festivals worldwide, including Santiago Chile's Metal Fest, the band faced further line up changes, and with that, the band dissolved again for another 11 years.

Fast forward to 2023, Forbidden reformed with original members Craig Locicero and Matt Camacho and Omega Wave-era guitarist Steve Smyth. Bay Area native Norman Skinner took on the role of vocalist, thrash punk drum legend Chris Kontos joined in on drums, and Forbidden was officially reborn. Their first appearance back would be Belgium's Alcatraz Metal Festival in 2023. They closed out 2023 with two sold-out performances in the Bay Area supporting the annual Death Angel Christmas Shows. 2024 saw Forbidden performing multiple festivals across the U.S. and Europe before the departure of Smyth, and the welcomed entrance of Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain.

Forbidden surged into 2025 with a singular goal in mind, writing new Forbidden music. This chapter has brought some of their most incredible songwriting yet, with the first new song "Divided By Zero" released in June 2025. Look for more new Forbidden Music in 2026!

Forbidden Drop "Divided By Zero" Video — WATCH // Touring This Summer

Bay Area thrash legends FORBIDDEN return with the video for their first new song in over 15 years with "Divided By Zero."

Watch it below. 

And then watch it again, because it was well worth the wait.

"The opening riff for 'Divided By Zero' was the first thing Craig [Locicero] brought to the table as a new Forbidden song," the band states. The lyrics address the erosion of civility and society through divisive control of institutions, cultures, religion, and government. Without picking sides, 'Divided By Zero' points to anyone and everyone that partakes in this mass manipulation, willingly or unwittingly."

"The video for 'Divided By Zero' is the stuff of dystopian nightmares, depicting how influential words and propaganda of the few have power to sway the many," the band states. 'Robots and monsters — how most of us unwittingly end up being one or the other through the multiple institutions' relentless brainwashing and beating us down. All of the disturbing imagery, created by Ethan Renoe at Crumb Hill, visually captures the story perfectly, haunting, powerful, and poignant."

"'Divided By Zero" represents the bridge between classic and modern Forbidden. Recorded similarly to Forbidden Evil in approach: No samples, triggers, and no over-editing. Just a singer, two guitars, bass, and drums. A band. Raw with hair left on it! It represents Forbidden with new blood and fire. Norman Skinner is the only one who could take over Russ Anderson's dynamic vocal torch. Dan Mongrain and Chris Kontos level up energy and execution alongside original members Craig Locicero and Matt Camacho. This is Forbidden — reborn.

The band's forthcoming US and European summer tour dates are below.

FORBIDDEN LIVE:
7/25 — Teragram Ballroom — Los Angeles, CA (w/ Nasty Savage)
8/1 — Wacken Open Air — DE
8/2 — Kulturwerk — Herfor, DE
8/3 — Dynamo — Eindhoven, NL (w/ Warbringer)
8/4 — Luxor — Köln, DE
8/5 — Colos-Saal — Aschaffenburg, DE
8/6 — Free & Easy Festival, Backstage Halle — München, DE (w/ Nailbomb)
8/8 — Hellsinki Metal Festival —Helsinki, FI
8/10 — Alcatraz Metal Festival — Kortrijk, BE
8/12 — The Dome  London, UK
8/13 — The Bread Shed — Manchester, UK
8/15 — Motocultor Festival — Carhaix, FR
10/3 — Aftershock Festival — Sacramento, CA

FORBIDDEN ARE:
Norman Skinner — Vocals
Craig Locicero — Guitar
Dan Mongrain — Guitar
Matt Camacho — Bass
Chris Kontos — Drums