| CD REVIEW Fir Bolg |
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Band : Forbidden I can still remember the somewhat dumbfounded face our editor-in-chief made when, after trying to hand over Forbidden's new album for review, a colleague of mine riposted with the words: “Nay, I've never really liked that band,” a comment which immediately aroused my somewhat weird attention for Forbidden, the more since overall he IS into Old School Thrash Metal! At the same time I had a feeling that the “task” of reviewing this album would eventually fall upon my shoulders (a premonition which eventually became reality a bit more than month after my colleague's comments). Which annoyed me to some degree, firstly because I had once again been given a task which should've been done a month earlier, and secondly because I didn't think I'd ever come across this Bay Area thrash metal act. So, imagine my surprise when, after a short check, I found out I have a copy of Forbidden's 1997 album Green in my far too large collection of albums which have still to be listened to! Of course, Forbidden's history harkens back to older days, and can boast the fact of having comprised some of Extreme Metal's more popular musicians in its ranks. In fact, the band was founded as Forbidden Evil back in 1985 by drummer Jim Pittman and guitarist Robb Flynn (later of Machine Head) who recorded a couple of demos and appeared on the legendary but long since out-of-print compilation album Live At Ruthies Inn – The Eastern Front with the band's original line-up also comprising singer Russ Anderson, guitarist Chris Locicero, and bassist John Tegio. Pittman, Tegio and Flynn left he band, to be replaced by Paul Bostaph, Matt Camacho, and Glen Alvelais respectively. Shortening their name in order to not being confused for a Black Metal act, Forbidden released their debut album Forbidden Evil in 1988. The year after saw the departure of Alvelais (later to join Testament) and the recruitment of new guitarist Tim Calvert, and with the new man in place the band recorded their 1990 outing Twisted Into Form. Line-up problems were not over yet though, and in 1992 Bostaph (whom would later replace Dave Lombardo in Slayer) was replaced by Steve Jacobs. The new line-up recorded two more albums, 1994's Distortion and 1997's Green. As the band by then was without label support, they disbanded later that same year. Forbidden reformed as Forbidden Evil for the one-off performance at the Thrash Of The Titans benefit event for Testamant's Chuck Billy (with a line-up of Anderson, Alvelais, Calvert, Camacho, Bostaph, and additional musicians Steve Smyth on 3rd guitar, and Jeremy Colson on second drums). Forbidden again reformed (this time comprising Anderson, Locicero, Alvelais, Camacho, and interim drummer Gene Hoglan of Dark Angel, Death, and Strapping Young Lad fame – Bostaph having prior commitments with Testament) in 2007 for some reunion shows in 2008. As a permanent drummer the band eventually recruited one Mark Hernandez (formerly of Violence and Heathen), and when Alvelais again left in 2009, Steve Smyth (see also earlier) stepped in to complete the current line-up. Now I have it from trusted source that originally Forbidden (or rather, Forbidden Evil) player a rather technical Thrash Metal, and included “alternative elements” only for their Green album, and of course I cannot relate to what those elements include, but having given the Green album a listening session before starting with this review, I can tell you that those among you who've liked what's on that album are definitely gonna like what's on the new one! In actuality, the band's style can be described as an uncanny catchy and melodic mixture of technical Heavy Metal and Thrash, with progressive elements, with guitars that are constantly adding nice technical yet melodic whaling. But what makes Forbidden stand out from the Thrash Metal flock even more, is Anderson's additional use of truly soaring vocals on top of the harsher Thrash Metal type. On top, he gets more than decent backing (both in the clean and harsh vocal department), and this only ads to the overall beauty of this band's sound. In essence, I've found a new favourite Thrash Metal act. At myspace.com/forbiddenofficial, you can only find two songs off the new album, but boy, will they ever blow your minds! And you can believe me that the rest of the album is of equal high standard in quality! At the moment Forbidden is touring the USA (tour started Nov. 5 in NY state, and ends Dec. 11 in San Francisco) with Evile, Gamma Bomb, and Bonded By Blood (first leg of the tour, until Nov. 20 even saw Overkill on that bill), and all I can say is...check the remaining tour dates, and if you càn go see 'em, dó so! I guess even without the aid of stage machinery, these guys have sparks flying around all the time! And as far as Thrash Metal goes, Forbidden pales anything in the genre at this moment...at least in my book!!! 98/100 Tony. |
