Forbidden // Forbidden (Self Titled) // Album Review

If, like me, you were expecting the full-on thrash experience that is Forbidden, you won’t be disappointed, but you might be a little surprised. The band’s latest iteration has obviously kept the thrash element but also gone a little proggy and experimental at times, but don’t let that put you off; it is an excellent way for them to reintroduce themselves.

The album opens with “Single Point Failure”, which is a thrash track in every sense of the word, with a blistering drum beat from Kontos that drives the track; the guitar work from Locicero and Von Epp is killer and adds an air of intensity to that track that is accentuated by Skinner’s vocals ranging from high pitch to gravelly; the solos at the back end of the track are pure class.

“Burning Lungs Of Earth” opens with soaring vocals from Skinner accompanied by a foreboding drum and guitar riff that swiftly switches to full thrash mode with cutting riffs and a ripping drum beat, the bass booms in the background as Skinner snarls and growls his way through the track, this is the Forbidden of old, midway trough is the first signs of experimentation as the band drop a prog section that contains a killer solo before switching it back only to change it up again as the track comes to a close, this is one of the best tracks on the album but it takes a couple of listens for it to really sink in. “Divided By Zero” continues the onslaught, opening like a bat out of hell with Kontos laying a beat that the rest of the band builds on, and they do; Skinner switches it up effortlessly throughout, moving from high-pitched to gravelly. Locicero and Von Epp trade riffs like nobody’s business, while Camacho weighs in on the low end with a beast of a bass line, all in all, a killer tune. “DCLXVI” is a slower, heavier groove metal-style track with Skinner going to the depths of hell at stages while the guitars create chugging riffs that are bone-jarring; there are elements of trash still here, particularly in the lead-up to the savage dual guitar solos from Locicero and Von Epp before switching back to the heavier grind.

“Psyclops” takes it up a notch with a crushing bass-led track that has Camacho throwing the full weight of his bass into this one and allowing the guitars of Locicero and Von Epp to soar off it, Skinner’s vocals seem to grow more intense with each passing track as Kontos provides a steady drum beat to back it all up. “Jisei” is a stripped-back track with an eerie vibe, featuring softly strummed guitar and Skinner’s choirboy vocals; it is one of the strangest tracks these guys have ever done. “Mutually Assured Dysfunction” rips from the start with Skinner’s screamed intro and the pounding drum beat Kontos lays down, setting the track up perfectly. Von Epp and Locicero throw down unreal riffs and a couple of tasty solos, while Camacho’s bass underpins it all; this is probably the best track on the album, a complete banger. “Sycophantasy” has a heavier beat that slows things down a little which in turn creates a killer groove, the track also has Brann Dailor of Mastodon guesting, it is the shortest track on the album but packs a serious punch. “The Burden” pushes the boundaries of heavy and melodic, with Skinner switching vocally between gravelly and high-pitched; Kontos and Camocho lay down a brutal low end that lets Von Epp and Locicero add a melodic side to the riffage while still crushing.

Kontos drives “Sol Grave” with his phenomenal drumming, creating a slower, heavier vibe that is added to by Skinner’s vocals, his insane ability to sound frantic with his high pitches before dropping to the depths to add an air of impending doom, which, as a class add to that the guitar work from Locicero and Von Epp is epic with tight riffs and some excellent solos this is another high point on the album. The album closes with “Flower Of Life”, a stunning nine-and-a-half-minute opus that has everything from pianos to eerie atmospheric vocals to a string arrangement and, of course, thrash. It’s a ballsy move to close an album this way, especially after being away so long, but they pull it off in spectacular style.

Review: Conor

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

Pre-Order ‘Forbidden’ HERE

‘Forbidden’ Track List:

1. Single Point Failure
2. Burning The Lungs of Earth
3. Divided By Zero
4. DCLXVI
5. Psyclops
6. Jisei
7. Mutually Assured Dysfunction
8. Sycophantasy
9. The Burden
10. Sol Grave
11. Flower of Life (Chaos By Design)

FORBIDDEN is excited to hit the road in support of their upcoming self-titled album on a headlining tour with 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