Originally founded in 1985 as Forbidden Evil by singer Russ Anderson and guitarists Craig Locicero & 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 & Matt Camacho / bass) in ’86, the band quickly rose through the ranks of Bay Area Thrash to gain a following and notoriety.
When Flynn joined VIO-LENCE in late ’86, the band added Glen Alvelais 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. Forbidden took the thrash metal world by storm and cemented the band as one of the Bay’s most explosive and melodic outfits with Russ Anderson’s unmatched vocal skills and attitude. With Russ’s voice, the duel shredding of Locicero & Alvelais, Camacho’s galloping bass lines and Bostaph’s bombastic drum approach, nobody sounded like Forbidden.
In May of ’89 while on a European tour with Sacred Reich, Forbidden played their first appearance at the Legendary Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven, Netherlands. It was there that Forbidden made their European mark and also recorded the 'Raw Evil EP'. After the band returned Stateside, they replaced Alvelais with Tim Calvert. Calvert at the time was the missing ingredient that brought the band closer together as a team. They continued to tour the U.S. first with Exodus and then again with Sacred Reich. Soon after the band finished the European and U.S. runs they started the writing process for their second release, ’Twisted Into Form’ which was released in April of 1990. This album put more of a spotlight on the band with its critical acclaim. At the time taking the band by surprise, they supported the album with two extensive European and American 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, the band replaced Bostaph with Ohio native, Steve Jacobs. Jacobs brought new energy to the band and they continued writing. Not knowing it wouldn’t be until 1994 before the next record’s release, they compiled over 2 albums worth of material, which became "Distortion", Forbidden’s 3rd offering released on G.U.N. BMG in late 1994. The band would tour Europe throughout 1994 with Gorefest and the U.S. in ’95 with both Testament and Malevolent Creation. The climate for thrash metal was still very much waining in this period of the mid 1990's. After the tours were completed, the band felt a new found fire and frustration and the writing from this era became their 4th release, ‘Green’, recorded in 1996. In answer to the industry’s lack of interest in thrash metal at the time, their angst led to the eventual breakup of Forbidden in 1997.
Forbidden remained dormant until 2008 when, at the screening of the movie ‘Get Thrashed’, Craig became inspired and contacted Anderson, Bostaph, Camacho and Calvert. Both Calvert (then an airline pilot) and Bostaph (Testament’s then drummer) weren't available. Calls were then made to Glen Alvelais, and the Atomic Clock, Gene Hoglan. This lineup played 2 sold out shows with Death Angel in the San Francisco and Slim’s. Those 2 shows fueled what would turn into a 2008 European Festival run, as well as the band’s first ever Japanese dates with Testament & Voivod at the Thrash Domination Festivals. Hoglan had other commitments, and so the band recruited drummer Mark Hernandez (VIO-LENCE, Torque, Social Unrest and Re:Ignition).
After the band returned from Japan, Alvelais parted and was soon replaced by another Bay Area guitar icon, Steve Smyth. This was the lineup that recorded Forbidden’s 2010 comeback album ‘Omega Wave'. After the album's release, the band toured stateside with Overkill and then a headline run. From 2010 to 2012 the band played multiple festivals in Europe and South America. Hernandez was forced to leave the band for personal and family commitments after the Bloodstock & Brutal Assault festivals. A last minute reverberation which caused Forbidden to cancel their first ever European headlining tour, forcing the band to search for another drummer. Accepting video submissions from drummers all around the world, Sascha Horn (now with Exhorder) won the spot and the band immediately started writing new music. After playing Bonded By Baloff with Exodus and another Bay Area show, Forbidden embarked for Chile to play the Metal Fest in Santiago. It was on this flight back home that Russ informed the band that he could no longer tour due to the physical toll it was taking on him. With that, the band dissolved again for another 11 years.
Fast forward to 2023, Forbidden reformed with Locicero, Camacho & Smyth remaining from the Omega Wave lineup. Norman Skinner took on the role of vocalist after shocking witnesses with his performance of Chalice of Blood alongside LA thrashers Warbringer. Bay Area thrash punk drum legend Chris Kontos filled in the final piece on the drums, and Forbidden was officially reborn. Their first appearance back would be Belgium’s Alcatraz Metal Festival in 2023. The year closed out with two sold out performances at the Great American Music Hall supporting the traditional Death Angel Christmas Shows. This was Forbidden’s official return in the U.S. and it appropriately took place in the their home, the Bay Area.
In 2024 Forbidden performed at Houston's Hell’s Heros Festival, Seattle's Northwest Terror Assault, Maryland Deathfest, and the first annual Forbidden Omegafest In Berkley CA. Prior to heading back to Europe's summer festival season, Forbidden saw the departure of member Steve Smyth, and welcomed in Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain, also longtime guitarist for Canada's legendary metal act Voivod. Forbidden surged into 2025 with a single 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" releasing June 26, 2025, and preempting their August 2025 European Festival run with special club dates. Look for more new Forbidden Music in 2026!
