Forbidden

FORBIDDEN was part of San Francisco’s “Thrash Metal,” movement innovated in the Bay Area, where legendary bands such as Metallica, Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, and FORBIDDEN changed the style of Metal music, making the San Francisco Bay Area synonymous with the word “Thrash.”

In the last several years, the band has seen something of a worldwide resurgence with a whole new generation of inspiring musicians and some of rock and metal’s most relevant bands specifically sighting “FORBIDDEN,” as a direct influence to their music. This new generation, along with the tens of thousands of die hard fans has been turning up at their shows, inundating their my-space site, and demanding new material from Forbidden. The band could no longer ignore their fans and in the summer of 2008, and 2009, they decided to do several dozen reunion shows marking appearances on some of Europe’s biggest Rock Festivals and several special club dates throughout Europe, Japan, and North America.

Originally, formed as “Forbidden Evil” in 1985, and shortly thereafter solidified the lineup of Russ Anderson (Vocals), Rob Flynn (guitar), Craig Locicero (guitar), Paul Bostaph (drums), and Matt Camacho (Bass). Prior to Forbidden Evil signing its first recording contract, Robb Flynn departed and was replaced by Glenn Avelias, and within several years Robb would move onto front one of Metals biggest bands “Machine Head.”

By 1987, Forbidden Evil had established themselves as one of the best live Thrash acts, headlining and selling out local nightclubs while securing the support slots for bands such as Slayer, Megadeth, and Exodus. Several recording offers followed resulting in the band finalizing a deal with Combat/Relativity. It was at this time the decision was made to drop the “evil” from its name, hence the beginning of a legacy “FORBIDDEN.”

The band’s 1988 debut album, "Forbidden Evil," thrust FORBIDDEN to the front of the flourishing thrash metal scene. Recently, in its June 2009 issue, Germany’s “Rock Hard” magazine, named “Forbidden Evil,” as one of the top five Thrash Albums of all time. In its 1990 follow up, the critically acclaimed album “Twisted into Form” was released and featured guitar work of future “Nevermore” guitarist Tim Calvert, who had replaced Glen shortly after their first European tour. The success of Twisted was the final nail in the coffin that solidified FORBIDDEN as one of the top Thrash metal bands to ever exist.

By the early 1990’s Paul Bostaph stepped aside when he was offered to join the multi million selling metal band “Slayer,” and was replaced by Steve Jacobs. FORBIDDEN went on to record some of metal’s most underrated albums, “Distortion,” (1994), and “Green, (1997), which were little known due to lack of worldwide distribution but were sought out and inspired countless musicians worldwide.

By early 1997, the cylindrical paths of popular music began to wind down for metal bands and the existing members of FORBIDDEN decided to hang up their metal riffs and bring an end to an era so they could expand their minds both musically and mentally with different styles of music.

It wasn’t until 2007, when Craig Locicero went to the premier of the documentary film, “Get Thrashed,” when the realization of what FORBIDDEN had accomplished and the influence on metal he and his comrades had left behind, but most importantly what FORBIDDEN meant to the fans both old and new. Craig, decided to reach out to the original line up of players on the debut album “Forbidden Evil,” and the decision was made to play several festivals in Europe as a way of subsiding an old hankering for playing metal, and calming the constant request from fans and promoters.

As the summer of 2008 approached, and FORBIDDEN booked on such prestige festivals as Graspop (Belgium), Hellfest (France), and Bang Your Head (Germany), Paul Bostaph decided to take the position of being Testaments full time drummer. The band was lucky enough to secure a well known local drummer Mark Hernandez, who has had stints with the legendary Social Unrest, Violence, and Heathen, thus the line up was secure for the 2008 Festivals.

After the shows were completed, the band was motivated and inspired enough to start working together closely and create music once again. Guitarist, Craig Locicero stated, “a conscious decision was made to continue moving forward and write a new Forbidden album, our first in almost 13 years!” However, Glen Avelias, decided to step aside and allow FORBIDDEN to acquire the services of Steve Smyth, who had already performed with Testament, Nevermore, Vicious Rumors, and the amazing instrumental band “EssenEss.”

By the summer of 2009, with festival dates on Sweden Rock, and Germany’s Rock Hard Festival, the band discovered something magical and undeniable both mentally and visually…NOW the new FORBIDDEN, after an almost 20 year journey, it was meant to be, solidified, bonded together, and the strongest unit yet.