Thrash Legends FORBIDDEN Returns With Their First New Single In 15 Years

The wait is finally over! Legendary Bay Area thrash band Forbidden has returned with a vengeance, unveiling their first new music in over 15 years.

The blistering new single "Divided By Zero" can be found above, though it's unfortunately paired with an AI-generated music video. Which just looks kinda doofy, as all AI-generated imagery does. Still, the video is credited to Ethan Renoe at Crumb Hill.

"The opening riff for 'Divided By Zero' was the first thing Craig [Locicero] brought to the table as a new Forbidden song," said Forbidden of the single. The lyrics address the erosion of civility and society through divisive control of institutions, cultures, religion, and government. Without picking sides, 'Divided By Zero' points to anyone and everyone that partakes in this mass manipulation, willingly or unwittingly."

"The video for 'Divided By Zero' is the stuff of dystopian nightmares, depicting how influential words and propaganda of the few have power to sway the many. 'Robots and monsters — how most of us unwittingly end up being one or the other through the multiple institutions' relentless brainwashing and beating us down. All of the disturbing imagery, created by Ethan Renoe at Crumb Hill, visually captures the story perfectly, haunting, powerful, and poignant."

Forbidden in 2025 is guitarists Craig Locicero and Dan Mongrain (Martyr, Voivod), bassist Matt Camacho, drummer Chris Kontos (Machine Head, Testament), and vocalist Norman Skinner. Forbidden has the following tour dates lined up for 2025:

7/25 Los Angeles, CA Teragram Ballroom (w/ Nasty Savage)
8/1 Wacken, DE Wacken Open Air
8/2 Herfor, DE Kulturwerk
8/3 Eindhoven, NL Dynamo (w/ Warbringer)
8/4 Köln, DE Luxor
8/5 Aschaffenburg, DE Colos-Saal
8/6 München, DE Free & Easy Festival, Backstage Halle (w/ Nailbomb)
8/8 Helsinki, FI Hellsinki Metal Festival
8/10 Kortrijk, BE Alcatraz Metal Festival
8/12 London, UK The Dome
8/13 Manchester, UK The Bread Shed
8/15 Carhaix, FR Motocultor Festival
10/3 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival

Bay Area thrash legends Forbidden were formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil by Russ Anderson, Craig Locicero, Robb Flynn, John Tegio, and Jim Pittman. Early gigs at venues like Ruthie's Inn helped establish them quickly, and lineup changes brought in Paul Bostaph on drums and Matt Camacho on bass, solidifying their sound.

With Flynn's departure and Glen Alvelais joining, the band recorded their landmark debut Forbidden Evil in 1988. Dropping Evil from the name to avoid negative connotations, they released Twisted Into Form in 1990 to critical acclaim, touring extensively with Death Angel during thrash metal's golden age.

The band continued into the '90s with Distortion (1994) and Green (1996), but industry shifts and waning support for thrash led to their disbandment in 1997. A 2008 reunion led to the 2010 comeback album Omega Wave and a burst of touring activity, but lineup instability returned, causing another lengthy hiatus. In 2023, Craig Locicero and Matt Camacho revived Forbidden once more, joined by vocalist Norman Skinner, drummer Chris Kontos, and guitarist Steve Smyth (later replaced by Danie Mongrain).

Now revitalized, Forbidden are charging into a new era. Their first new music in over 15 years, "Divided By Zero," dropped on June 26, 2025, marking a powerful return to form. The song kicks off their European festival run this August and previews what's to come as the band writes new material for 2026 and beyond.