Forbidden

Forbidden: Bay Area Thrash Titans

Hailing from the fertile San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal scene, Forbidden emerged in 1985 as Forbidden Evil. The band, initially featuring Robb Flynn (later of Vio-lence and Machine Head) and drummer Jim Pittman, solidified their lineup with Craig Locicero (guitar), Russ Anderson (vocals), and John Tegio (bass). Flynn christened the band after a War Cry song on the Metal Massacre IV compilation. They shortened their name to Forbidden in 1987.

Throughout their existence, Forbidden have endured multiple breakups and reunions, along with significant lineup changes. Their initial split occurred in 1997, only to be followed by a reunion in 2007. After an indefinite hiatus starting in 2012, they triumphantly returned in 2023 with a lineup comprised of Norman Skinner (vocals), Craig Locicero (guitar), Matt Camacho (bass), and Chris Kontos (drums).

Forbidden quickly earned their stripes alongside Bay Area giants like Exodus (featuring original Forbidden drummer Paul Bostaph), Testament, Death Angel, Vio-lence, and Defiance. They cemented their place as one of the "Big Six" of the Bay Area thrash scene, later joined by Lȧȧz Rockit. Their influence on the underground metal community is undeniable.

Their debut, Forbidden Evil (1988), is widely considered a thrash classic. The follow-up, Twisted into Form (1990), is a tech-thrash masterpiece, showcasing their technical prowess. While initially rooted in technical thrash, Forbidden later explored alternative and groove metal elements, most notably on their 1997 album, Green. Their legacy remains firmly etched in the annals of thrash metal history, securing their status as true Bay Area legends.