Forbidden (band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in San Francisco Bay Area, California, U.S. |
| Founder | Jim Pittman, Robb Flynn, Craig Locicero, Russ Anderson, John Tegio |
| Headquarters | San Francisco Bay Area , United States |
| Products | Thrash metal music, albums, live performances |
Forbidden is a thrash metal group hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, established in 1985 under the name Forbidden Evil. The band adopted the shortened moniker Forbidden in 1987. Throughout their career, they have experienced several splits and reunions, notably dissolving in 1997, regrouping in 2007, entering a hiatus in 2012, and reassembling once more in 2023. Presently, the ensemble consists of Norman Skinner (vocals), Craig Locicero (guitar), Matt Camacho (bass), and Chris Kontos (drums).
Alongside contemporaries like Death Angel, Vio-lence, Defiance, Testament, and Exodus—the latter featuring Forbidden’s original drummer Paul Bostaph—Forbidden established themselves as one of the most prominent thrash metal acts emerging from the Bay Area. They cultivated a dedicated underground following and earned critical praise, with their debut record Forbidden Evil (1988) widely regarded as a thrash metal landmark. Their sophomore release, Twisted into Form (1990), is celebrated as a pinnacle of "tech-thrash." While initially focused on technical thrash metal, Forbidden integrated alternative and groove metal influences by their fourth studio album, Green (1997).
Forbidden is also acknowledged as a member of the "Big Six" within the Bay Area thrash metal movement, alongside Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Lȧȧz Rockit, and Vio-lence.
Early years and initial phase (1985–1997)
The band formed in early 1985 under the name 'Forbidden Evil,' initiated by drummer Jim Pittman and guitarist Robb Flynn—who would later join Vio-lence and Machine Head—with Craig Locicero on guitar, Russ Anderson handling vocals, and John Tegio on bass completing the original lineup. The name was inspired by a track from Chicago’s War Cry featured on the Metal Massacre 4 compilation. Early recordings included demos and a contribution to the live album The Eastern Front – Live At Ruthie's Inn. By 1986, Pittman, Tegio, and Flynn departed; their replacements were Paul Bostaph on drums, Matt Camacho on bass, and Glen Alvelais on guitar. In 1987, to distance themselves from associations with black metal, the group shortened their name to Forbidden.
After reviewing various label proposals, they signed with Combat Records in 1988 and released their first full-length album Forbidden Evil that September. This debut included three tracks penned by former guitarist Robb Flynn. The band supported the release with tours across the U.S. and Europe alongside acts such as Testament, Exodus, Sepultura, and Death Angel. Following these tours, Alvelais exited and Tim Calvert took over guitar duties. In 1989, they issued the live EP Raw Evil - Live at the Dynamo.
Their second studio effort, Twisted Into Form (1990), featured a shift toward a more melodic and progressive style coupled with enhanced production quality. To promote this album, they toured with Death Angel during the Act III tour as well as sharing stages with bands like Exodus, Sepultura, Sanctuary, and Fates Warning.
Following internal conflicts, Forbidden parted ways with Combat Records in 1991. Drummer Paul Bostaph left to join Slayer, and Steve Jacobs stepped in as his replacement. In 1993, guitarist Craig Locicero briefly performed with Death during a European tour.
In 1994, after signing with GUN Records, Forbidden released their third album Distortion in November. They supported this release through European tours alongside Gorefest, followed by U.S. tours with Testament and Malevolent Creation. By 1996, they began crafting darker material that culminated in their fourth album Green, which was released early in 1997. Due to insufficient label backing, absence of touring promotion, and creative disagreements involving Locicero, Forbidden disbanded later that year. Subsequently, Locicero, Camacho, and Jacobs formed the original lineup of Manmade God.
Reunions and Omega Wave Era (2001–2010)
In August 2001, Anderson, Bostaph, Alvelais, and Camacho reunited under their original moniker Forbidden Evil for a special six-song set at Chuck Billy's Thrash of the Titans charity event. Guitarist Steve Smyth substituted for Craig Locicero, who was engaged in recording sessions with Manmade God. Former guitarist Tim Calvert joined for the final trio of songs, while Jeremy Colson handled drums on two tracks before Bostaph resumed drumming duties for the remaining four.
Forbidden came together once more in 2007 to prepare for reunion performances held in 2008 across both the United States and Europe. This lineup included members from the 2001 Forbidden Evil reunion, featuring Locicero but excluding Bostaph due to his obligations with Testament. Initially, Gene Hoglan (known for his work with Dark Angel and Death) was on drums, succeeded by Mark Hernandez (formerly of Vio-lence and Heathen) for the European leg that encompassed Belgium's Graspop festival and subsequent shows in Japan. Following these tours, Glen Alvelais departed amid internal conflicts and was replaced by Steve Smyth. During the summer of 2009, the band toured Europe and North America, delivering complete live renditions of their sophomore album Twisted Into Form.
In 2009, Forbidden entered negotiations with Nuclear Blast Records to produce their fifth studio album. The resulting record, Omega Wave, was released in 2010. To promote it, the band embarked on extensive tours throughout the United States, Europe, and South America.
Drummer Changes, Hiatus, and Third Reunion (2011–Present)
Mark Hernandez exited Forbidden in August 2011 due to personal reasons. Gene Hoglan stepped in temporarily for appearances such as the Alcatraz Festival. By November of that year, Sasha Horn had been appointed as the new drummer. However, in July 2012, bassist Matt Camacho left to pursue a career in law, while Russ Anderson announced a hiatus from music activities, effectively bringing Forbidden’s activity to a halt once again. Guitarist Craig Locicero remarked in 2013 that dwindling enthusiasm among original members rendered continuation impractical.
Despite remaining inactive since 2012, Locicero confirmed in April 2016 that Forbidden still maintained a contract with Nuclear Blast Records. He acknowledged that logistical hurdles—stemming from members’ geographic dispersion and retirements—complicated any potential reunion but did not dismiss the possibility entirely.
In April 2023, Forbidden created an official Instagram profile, igniting speculation about a third reunion. This was officially confirmed on April 19 with Norman Skinner stepping in as vocalist following Russ Anderson’s retirement. The band’s first live appearance in eleven years took place on July 16, 2023, at Baltic Kiss in Richmond under the alias Twisted into Evil, followed by a performance at Belgium’s Alcatraz Festival.
Additional reunion engagements included opening for Death Angel in San Francisco (December 2023) and playing at Houston’s Hell's Heroes Festival scheduled for March 2024. Concurrently, Forbidden began composing new material intended for a studio album aimed at an early 2025 release. On June 26, 2025, they unveiled "Divided by Zero," their first new track in fifteen years, preceding a European summer tour that features another appearance at the Alcatraz Festival.
Band members
Current members
- Craig Locicero – guitars (1987–1997, 2007–2012, 2023–present)
- Matt Camacho – bass (1987–1997, 2007–2012, 2023–present)
- Norman Skinner – lead vocals (2023–present)
- Chris Kontos – drums (2023–present)
- Jeremy Von Epp – guitars (2025–present)
Former members
- Russ Anderson – lead vocals (1987–1997, 2007–2012)
- Glen Alvelais – guitars (1987–1989, 2007–2009)
- Tim Calvert – guitars (1989–1997; died 2018)
- Paul Bostaph – drums (1987–1992)
- Steve Jacobs – drums (1992–1997)
- Mark Hernandez – drums (2007–2011)
- Steve Smyth – guitars (2009–2012, 2023–2024)
- Sasha Horn – drums (2011–2012)
Live members
- Gene Hoglan – drums (2008, 2011)
- Daniel Mongrain – guitars (2024–2025)
Studio albums
| Album | Information |
|---|---|
| Forbidden Evil |
|
| Twisted into Form |
|
| Distortion |
|
| Green |
|
| Omega Wave |
|
Live albums
| Album | Information |
|---|---|
| Raw Evil - Live at the Dynamo |
|
Compilation albums
| Album | Information |
|---|---|
| Point of No Return |
|
Demo albums
- Demo 1985 (1985)
- Rehearsal 85 (1985)
- Endless Slaughter (1986)
- As Good as Good (1987)
- March into Fire (1987)
- Demo '87 (1987)
- Trapped (1991)
- Disillusions (1992)
- Distortion (1993)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups established in 1987
- Musical groups disestablished in 2012
- Musical groups reestablished in 2023
- Thrash metal musical groups from California
- Musical groups from the San Francisco Bay Area
- Nuclear Blast artists
- Combat Records artists
- 1987 establishments in California
- 2012 disestablishments in California