In a recent and in-depth interview with The Adventures Of Pipeman, Craig Locicero, the founding guitarist and a driving force behind the iconic San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal outfit FORBIDDEN, shed considerable light on the band’s artistic evolution and the meticulous process behind their highly anticipated self-titled album, "Forbidden." Locicero articulated how early thrash metal pioneers in the Bay Area meticulously crafted distinct sonic identities by weaving together intricate guitar compositions, the melodic sensibilities of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), and the complex structures often associated with progressive rock. This deliberate blending was not merely an aesthetic choice but a strategic imperative to stand apart in a burgeoning and increasingly competitive scene.
The Uniqueness of FORBIDDEN’s Sonic Identity
Locicero emphasized that while the top tier of the musical landscape displayed clear divergences, many bands struggled to forge their own path, often imitating the successful sounds of their predecessors. FORBIDDEN, however, consciously carved out a unique niche. "Our lane is way the fuck over here," Locicero stated, underscoring the band’s commitment to originality. A pivotal element in this differentiation, he explained, was the exceptional vocal prowess of original frontman Russ Anderson. "Having a great singer like Russ [Anderson] was the first and foremost thing," Locicero elaborated. "Russ, he could do anything, and so that opened doors for us to be just as much heavy metal as it did thrash metal."
This vocal flexibility, combined with the band’s instrumental prowess, allowed FORBIDDEN to transcend the confines of a single genre. The upcoming self-titled album, "Forbidden," is a testament to this philosophy. Locicero expressed his conviction that the album seamlessly integrates elements of heavy metal, thrash metal, and progressive music. "We stretched out and fully embraced that we could do anything, and everybody contributed," he remarked, highlighting the collaborative spirit that defined its creation.
The Philosophy of Uniqueness
Locicero’s perspective on originality is nuanced, drawing a compelling analogy to human fingerprints. "I always say nothing is original; everything is unique. It’s like fingerprints," he explained. "This finger looks like that finger, but they’re completely different if you really pull up and examine them." This sentiment reflects a deep appreciation for the subtle nuances that define artistic expression, suggesting that while influences are undeniable, the synthesis and individual application of those influences create something entirely new. This philosophical undercurrent likely guided the band’s approach to songwriting, encouraging exploration and innovation within their established sonic framework.
A Retrospective on FORBIDDEN’s Discography and the Genesis of "Forbidden"
The conversation then shifted to the writing and recording process of "Forbidden," an album that marks a significant milestone as the band’s first studio release since 2010’s "Omega Wave." The new album also introduces new blood to the FORBIDDEN ranks, with vocalist Norman Skinner, drummer Chris Kontos, and guitarist Jeremy Von Epp joining the fold.
Locicero provided a candid assessment of FORBIDDEN’s past recording experiences, offering a chronological perspective on their creative growth. The debut album, "Forbidden Evil" (1988), was a product of youthful exuberance and inexperience. "Your first album, you don’t know what you’re doing. You’re just writing it. I was 15 when I started writing that record and then 18 when we recorded it. And [I was] clueless," he admitted.
A significant leap forward occurred with the 1990 album, "Twisted Into Form," which saw the integration of guitarist Tim Calvert. Locicero described this period as a pivotal moment in establishing a true guitar duo dynamic. "When we got [guitarist] Tim Calvert in the band, him and I started working the way a guitar duo should work, and we sat down and we hashed everything out and syncopated and harmonized. And so there was a big growth through ‘Twisted Into Form’."
The subsequent albums, "Distortion" (1994) and "Green" (1997), were created during a challenging period for thrash metal, where the genre faced a decline in mainstream popularity. "The other two albums were in turbulent times where nobody gave a fuck about thrash metal. So we wrote those kind of only for ourselves and hardly anybody else," Locicero recalled.
The comeback album, "Omega Wave" (2010), was a testament to Locicero’s determination, but the recording process was somewhat fragmented due to the members living in different locations and varying levels of engagement. "I was on a mission, but I didn’t get as much help as I wanted," he stated. "We lived separately. We weren’t hanging out as much. I’d work with [then-drummer] Mark [Hernandez] a bunch. [Then-guitarist] Steve [Smyth] lived in England. Russ didn’t wanna get together till the end of the process to finish lyrics and melodies. So we were all just kind of everywhere."
The creation of the new self-titled album, however, represented a significant departure from this dispersed approach. "On this album, it started together," Locicero asserted. He detailed the collaborative process, beginning with a substantial period of joint work with drummer Chris Kontos. "Chris and I worked through 75% of the album together until he had things come up in his life where he couldn’t be around as much." This led to the involvement of Jeremy Von Epp, with whom Locicero established a creative synergy reminiscent of his partnership with Tim Calvert. "And then [Jeremy] and I worked like Tim Calvert and I. We sat down and we created demos for everything and wrote four songs together."
This intensive, collaborative approach fostered a sense of unity and purpose throughout the two-and-a-half-year writing period. "It feels like even though it was a span of two years writing this thing, or two and a half years, it feels like it was the most conducive and put together album out of all of them, where everybody was on a mission," Locicero reflected. The result was a recording process that felt exceptionally smooth and well-prepared. "So it felt great writing it and felt even better recording it because we were so prepared when we went in the studio."
Embracing Rawness and a Classic Tuning
The production philosophy for "Forbidden" was centered on authenticity and a return to the band’s roots. "The approach we had was to keep it raw, keep it real," Locicero emphasized. A key element of this was the decision to utilize E tuning, a practice not commonly found in the genre today. "Many of the songs were written in E, which is the old tuning that we used back in the first two albums, that nobody uses these days in our particular genre."
Locicero believes this sonic choice contributes significantly to the album’s visceral impact. "That’s what’s making your shoulders go up and your ears perk, is that you’re hearing a sound that you used to hear, with just way better production and recording." He credited producer Zack Ohren for his exceptional work in capturing this raw essence while delivering a modern, high-fidelity sound. "[‘Producer’] Zack Ohren is incredible, and he did a great job of capturing it. But it’s very raw and it’s very sincere."
Thematic Depth and Genre Fluidity of "Forbidden"
The self-titled album is not merely a collection of songs but a meticulously crafted sonic journey spanning over an hour. Locicero described the album as having a deliberate structure, divided into four distinct "quadrants" with specific song counts (three, three, three, and two). This architectural approach to sequencing was integral to the album’s overall coherence. "The sequencing of the album is a big, big part of it," he noted.
While not a strict concept album, "Forbidden" possesses a thematic undercurrent that ties the disparate elements together. "Every quadrant of the record has a little philosophical flavor to it. It’s not a concept, but it’s a theme to everything," Locicero explained. He further elaborated on the album’s genre-bending nature, cautioning listeners who might expect a purely thrash metal experience. "So, if you’re looking at the digital link, you don’t see it, but the album is actually in four quadrants, and it’s three, three, three and two, and the last one being a space opera, with the ‘Flower Of Life’ and ‘Sol Grave’."
"So, it all fits together like the old-school records did, but we’re metal," he reiterated. "So if you’re expecting just thrash metal, you might be disappointed because we over-delivered. We didn’t just do thrash metal. We did thrash metal, heavy metal, prog. We hit on a lot of different elements. Everything we love about music, we did it." This uninhibited creative expression stemmed from a desire to avoid artistic limitations. "I didn’t see any reason to hold back or try to fit into any kind of particular genre, ’cause I think that would’ve been more disappointing to the listener than what we did, and stretching ourselves out and giving… We bared it all. We’re up there. We’re naked. It’s right there. It’s right for you."
Tour Updates and Lineup Changes
In conjunction with the album’s release, FORBIDDEN has announced a fall 2026 U.S. tour titled "Chaos By Design," featuring support from HEATHEN and VOID. However, bassist Matt Camacho and drummer Chris Kontos will be absent from this tour due to personal reasons. They will be temporarily replaced by Avery Thurman on bass and Eli Lucas on drums, respectively. The tour is scheduled to commence on October 23 in Las Vegas and conclude on November 22 in Los Angeles, California.
The self-titled album "Forbidden" is slated for release on October 23 via BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group. The album was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, with engineer and co-producer Zack Ohren.
A Legacy in Bay Area Thrash Metal
FORBIDDEN, originally formed as FORBIDDEN EVIL in Fremont, California, in 1985, emerged as a pivotal force in the Bay Area thrash metal movement. Alongside titans of the genre, the band helped define its sound. Following early lineup shifts, the classic configuration solidified with vocalist Russ Anderson, guitarists Craig Locicero and Glen Alvelais, bassist Matt Camacho, and drummer Paul Bostaph. Their landmark 1988 debut, "Forbidden Evil," preceded their name change to FORBIDDEN. Subsequent acclaimed albums, including "Twisted Into Form" (1990), "Distortion" (1994), and "Green" (1997), showcased their technical proficiency, melodic songwriting, and Anderson’s distinctive vocals. Extensive touring alongside bands such as SACRED REICH, EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT, and MALEVOLENT CREATION cemented their reputation as a formidable live act.
After a hiatus, FORBIDDEN reunited in 2008, releasing the critically acclaimed comeback album "Omega Wave" in 2010, followed by international touring before another period of inactivity in 2012.
The band’s most recent iteration, which began to coalesce in 2023, features founding guitarist Locicero alongside long-standing members Camacho and guitarist Steve Smyth. This lineup was augmented by vocalist Norman Skinner and drummer Chris Kontos. Their live return began at Belgium’s Alcatraz Metal Festival, followed by sold-out Bay Area performances supporting DEATH ANGEL’s annual Christmas shows. The focus on new material was evident with the release of "Divided By Zero" in 2025, their first new song in 15 years.
Recent personnel changes include the departure of guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain, who had briefly joined in July 2024 as a replacement for Steve Smyth. Mongrain’s tenure was short-lived, with Jeremy Von Epp now filling the guitar position. Smyth had previously announced his departure in July 2024, citing a desire to prioritize his band ONE MACHINE and other projects.
The initial lineup of the resurrected FORBIDDEN, comprising Locicero, Camacho, Skinner, Kontos, and Smyth, made their live debut in July 2023 under the moniker TWISTED INTO EVIL at Baltic Kiss in Richmond, California. This period of regrouping and creative re-engagement has culminated in the ambitious and multifaceted self-titled album, "Forbidden," poised to reignite the band’s legacy and captivate a new generation of metal enthusiasts.
