Forbidden announce first new album in 15 years, release “Psyclops” music video

Bay Area thrash metal pioneers Forbidden have announced their new self-titled album, arriving October 23 via BLKIIBLK (pre-order). The record marks the band’s first full-length release since 2010.

To celebrate the announcement, Forbidden have released the album’s new single, “Psyclops,” accompanied by an official music video.

Guitarist Craig Locicero describes the track as “a hypnotizing stomper” and explains that the song came together during the final stages of the album’s writing process. He adds that the lyrics, written by vocalist Norman Skinner, are open to interpretation, with the chorus painting a picture of people trapped in complacency.

Produced by Craig Locicero, Gene Hoglan, and Zach Ohren, Forbidden features more than an hour of new material that blends the band’s classic Bay Area thrash roots with progressive elements and the experience gained throughout their decades-long career.

Locicero said: “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.”

The album also features a guest appearance from Brann Dailor of Mastodon on “Sycophantasy.”



Forbidden track listing:
01. Single Point Failure
02. Burning The Lungs of Earth
03. Divided By Zero
04. DCLXVI
05. Psyclops
06. Jisei
07. Mutually Assured Dysfunction
08. Sycophantasy
09. The Burden
10. Sol Grave
11. Flower of Life (Chaos By Design)

Forbidden will hit the road this fall in support of the album with Heathen and Void.

Forbidden live:
Oct. 23 – Las Vegas, NV – The Usual Place
Oct. 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
Oct. 26 – Denver, CO – Federal Theatre
Oct. 28 – Iowa City, IA – Gabes
Oct. 29 – Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club
Oct. 30 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
Oct. 31 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
Nov. 1 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground
Nov. 2 – Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater
Nov. 4 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium (Upstairs)
Nov. 5 – Brooklyn, NY – TBD
Nov. 7 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
Nov. 8 – Lititz, PA – Mickey’s Black Box
Nov. 9 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
Nov. 10 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
Nov. 12 – Orlando, FL – Conduit
Nov. 13 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Altar)
Nov. 15 – Destin, FL – Club LA
Nov. 17 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
Nov. 18 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Nov. 20 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
Nov. 21 – Tucson, AZ – Club Congress
Nov. 22 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom

Photo by Phil Emerson