Forbidden announce self-titled album and unleash new single 'Psyclops' • GRIMM Gent

Thrash metal pioneers FORBIDDEN are proud to announce their new self-titled album, set for release on October 23rd via BLKIIBLK, marking the band’s first full-length release since 2010. To celebrate the announcement and offer fans a taste of what to expect, FORBIDDEN unleashes their new single, “Psyclops,” alongside an official video, available below.

About the new single, guitarist Craig Locicero shares:

“‘Psyclops’ was the final song completed for our newest self-titled offering. It was part of the last batch of music completed with Jeremy Von Epp & myself on the home stretch of our writing sessions & it came together quickly. The song itself is a hypnotizing stomper. Heavy footed like millions of people marching against how things stand in the status quo. Norman’s lyrics for ‘Psyclops’ should be left to the interpretation of the listeners. The chorus paints a vivid picture…’Forsaken, fast asleep and trapped inside a maze, Complacent eyes securely locked in an obscure gaze.’”

FORBIDDEN’s legacy is one of being the youngest, hungriest and most ambitious of the Bay Area brethren that has launched metal paradigm-shifters from Metallica to Machine Head. With a reconstituted lineup, guitarist Craig Locicero and bassist Matt Camacho, have crafted an hour-plus masterpiece of thrashy predilection, emotive musical movements, and prog-scraping sonic ambitions. From the intensity of opening track, “Single Point Failure” to the philosophical shades of the 9-minute closer, “Flower of Life,” this is FORBIDDEN not merely stretching beyond the steely foundations of 1988’s classic ‘Forbidden Evil’ or the quantum leap of 1990’s ‘Twisted Into Form,’ but the sound of a band with a new sense of scope and purpose. Produced by Locicero, Kontos & Zach Ohren (Machine Head), ‘Forbidden’ isn’t merely a revival for quintet, but full-blown reinvigoration and purgative endpoint for this Bay Area metal institution.

Locicero comments on the album:

“Making ‘Forbidden’ felt more like an odyssey than a typical recording process. We set out to create a record that reminds people why they fell in love with thrash and heavy metal in the first place, embracing raw energy, melody, and the imperfections that give heavy music its character. Every member brought their best, and having Brann Dailor (Mastodon) join us on ‘Sycophantasy’ was an incredible addition. ‘Forbidden’ is five lifetimes of experience forged into one piece of metallic art.”

Pre-Order ‘Forbidden’ HERE

‘Forbidden’ Track List:

1. Single Point Failure
2. Burning The Lungs of Earth
3. Divided By Zero
4. DCLXVI
5. Psyclops
6. Jisei
7. Mutually Assured Dysfunction
8. Sycophantasy
9. The Burden
10. Sol Grave
11. Flower of Life (Chaos By Design)

FORBIDDEN is excited to be hitting the road in support of their upcoming self-titled album on a run of headlining tour dates supported by Heathen and Void.

FORBIDDEN Live:

10/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place
10/25 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
10/26 – Denver, CO @ Federal Theatre
10/28 – Iowa City, IA @ Gabes
10/29 – Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club
10/30 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies
10/31 – Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge
11/01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground
11/02 – Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater
11/04 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs)
11/05 – Brooklyn, NY @ TBD
11/07 – Albany, NY @ Empire Underground
11/08 – Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box
11/09 – Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819
11/10 – Greenville, SC @ Radio Room
11/12 – Orlando, FL @ Conduit
11/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Altar)
11/15 – Destin, FL @ Club LA
11/17 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
11/18 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
11/20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
11/21 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
11/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom

Tickets and more information can be found HERE

Formed in 1985 in Fremont, California as Forbidden Evil, FORBIDDEN quickly became one of the defining bands of the Bay Area thrash metal movement alongside the genre’s biggest names. Following lineup changes that solidified the classic lineup featuring vocalist Russ Anderson, guitarists Craig Locicero and Glen Alvelais, bassist Matt Camacho and drummer Paul Bostaph, the band released their landmark 1988 debut ‘Forbidden Evil’ before shortening their name to FORBIDDEN. Acclaimed follow-up albums ‘Twisted Into Form’ (1990), ‘Distortion’ (1994), and ‘Green’ (1997) showcased the band’s technical precision, melodic songwriting, and Anderson‘s unmistakable vocals, while extensive tours with acts including Sacred Reich, Exodus, Death Angel, Testament, and Malevolent Creation helped cement their reputation as one of thrash’s most respected acts. After disbanding in 1997, FORBIDDEN reunited in 2008, released the acclaimed comeback album ‘Omega Wave’ in 2010, and toured internationally before going on hiatus once again in 2012.

FORBIDDEN returned in 2023 with founding guitarist Craig Locicero joined by longtime members Matt Camacho and Steve Smyth, alongside vocalist Norman Skinner and drummer Chris Kontos. The revitalized lineup made its live debut at Belgium’s Alcatraz Metal Festival before returning home for sold-out Bay Area performances supporting Death Angel‘s annual Christmas shows. Focused on creating new music, the band entered a new creative era in 2025 with the release of its first new song in 15 years, “Divided By Zero,” with more new material set to follow in 2026 as FORBIDDEN continues writing the next chapter of its legendary career.