FORBIDDEN Unleashes a Sonic Beast with Upcoming Self-Titled Album
In a recent no-holds-barred conversation with The Adventures Of Pipeman, FORBIDDEN's axe-slinger Craig Locicero dissected the raw energy and distinctiveness that defined the San Francisco Bay Area thrash scene. He emphasized how these pioneering bands carved their identities by marrying intricate guitar wizardry, the melodic hooks of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, and progressive structures to carve out their own niche. As Locicero put it, "At the top of the musical food chain, you can definitely hear the differences between all the bands. But FORBIDDEN, our lane is way the fuck over here. We are so different in many aspects, and having a great singer like Russ Anderson was the first and foremost thing. He could do anything, which opened doors for us to be just as much heavy metal as it did thrash metal. This new self-titled album? It’s heavy metal, thrash metal, and prog all rolled into one intense experience.
Delving deeper into the writing and recording of their first studio album in over a decade, Locicero shared his thoughts on the experience of creating "Forbidden" alongside fresh blood in the lineup, including powerhouse vocalist Norman Skinner. Reflecting on the band's history, he stated, "Your first album, you don't know what you're doing. I was 15 when I started writing 'Forbidden Evil.' I was clueless, but we grew tremendously through our journey. By the time we recorded 'Twisted Into Form,' things clicked, and we understood how to work as a guitar duo. The growth was monumental, but the later albums were turbulent, written mostly for ourselves in a time when the world didn’t care much for thrash.
With "Forbidden," Locicero feels a wave of unity and purpose that he hasn’t experienced in years. The writing process spanned two and a half years, but he insists it was the most cohesive effort yet. "We were all on a mission," he said, revealing that the collaborative spirit allowed them to craft some of their best material. The album’s production, helmed by the talented Zack Ohren, captures a raw and authentic sound, reminiscent of the band's early days but polished to perfection. "We brought back the old tuning that nobody uses these days in our genre, and it’s key to that nostalgic feel—something that makes your shoulders go up and your ears perk, all while sounding fresh and relevant.
Locicero also teased the album’s unique structure, with its seamless blend of diverse tracks forming a cohesive whole. "We’re talking about an hour and four minutes of music, arranged in four quadrants that reflect different philosophical themes. It’s not just thrash metal; we’ve over-delivered with a blend of heavy metal, prog, and more. If you were expecting a one-dimensional thrash record, you may find yourself delightfully surprised. This album is a testament to our evolution and our commitment to pushing boundaries.