Bay Area thrash legends Forbidden released the video for their first new song in over 15 years with “Divided By Zero” earlier this summer. Today, they follow up with the video for another new single, “Mutually Assured Dysfunction” and it’s a riff roarin’ rager.
“‘Mutually Assured Dysfunction’ is our aggressive follow-up to ‘Divided By Zero,'” the band says. “Like a crack to the skull, it lands hard. It’s about the DNA of endless arguments that people engage in. Sound bites over substance. This rationale is based upon the M.A.D. agreement of Rational Actors: A doctrine that assumes world leaders will be rational and self-preserving. Therefore, they will avoid any actions that would lead to their own country’s demise. This leap of faith leads to the kind of dysfunction that will ultimately lead to our destruction as a species.”
Forbidden were founded in 1985 as Forbidden Evil by singer Russ Anderson and guitarists Craig Locicero and Robb Flynn, bassist John Tegio, and drummer Jim Pittman while in their respective Fremont California High Schools. The quintet started playing house parties and Bay Area clubs such as the Legendary Ruthie’s Inn soon after. After a couple of lineup changes (Paul Bostaph/drums and Matt Camacho/bass) in ’86, the band quickly rose through the ranks of Bay Area Thrash to gain a following and notoriety.
Flynn joined Vio-lence late ’86, and Glen Alvelais was added as the second guitarist. It was this lineup that cemented itself into the Bay Area scene and soon after recorded 1988 release Forbidden Evil for Combat Records. After signing with Combat, the band decided that taking the “Evil” out of the name left them more options and leeway for a future without negative stigma or limitations. In 1989, they started the writing process for their second release, Twisted Into Form, released in April of 1990. This album landed more of a spotlight on the band with its critical acclaim. They supported the album with extensive tours with another legendary Bay Area Thrash band — Death Angel. Both outfits were riding a wave of critical acclaim and solid album sales through the Golden Age of Thrash Metal 1990.
In 1991, Forbidden began working on their third offering, compiling over 2 albums worth of material, which eventually became 1994’s Distortion on G.U.N. Records. The band would tour throughout 1994 and 1995, with both Testament and Malevolent Creation. The industry’s climate and lack of interest for thrash metal in the mid-90s left the band frustrated and the writing during this era became their fourth album, Green, in 1996, which also led to their eventual breakup of Forbidden in 1997.
Remaining dormant until 2008 when, at the screening of the movie Get Thrashed, Locicero became inspired and contacted the band to reunite. Calvert (then an airline pilot) and Bostaph .(Testament’s then-drummer) weren’t available. After a few lineup changes, the band recorded their 2010 comeback album Omega Wave. After touring stateside with Overkill, as well as a headline run and multiple festivals worldwide, including Santiago Chile’s Metal Fest, the band faced further line up changes, and with that, the band dissolved again for another 11 years.
Fast forward to 2023, Forbidden reformed with original members Craig Locicero and Matt Camacho and Omega Wave-era guitarist Steve Smyth. Bay Area native Norman Skinner took on the role of vocalist, thrash punk drum legend Chris Kontos joined in on drums, and Forbidden was officially reborn. Their first appearance back would be Belgium’s Alcatraz Metal Festival in 2023. They closed out 2023 with two sold-out performances in the Bay Area supporting the annual Death Angel Christmas Shows. 2024 saw Forbidden performing multiple festivals across the U.S. and Europe before the departure of Smyth, and the welcomed entrance of Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain.
Forbidden surged into 2025 with a singular goal in mind, writing new Forbidden music. This chapter has brought some of their most incredible songwriting yet, with the first new song “Divided By Zero” released in June 2025. Look for more new Forbidden Music in 2026!
The band’s forthcoming tour dates are below.
10/3 — Aftershock Festival — Sacramento, CA
10/12 — Grita Festival — Manizales, Columbia
