Godfathers in the Bay Area metal scene, Forbidden have returned with their first album in 16 years to unleash 12 fierce, uncompromising, and supremely progressive songs which signal an almighty return. Forbidden will be released by BLKIIBLK Records on ________and charts a defiant journey through scything riffs, incredible melodies, 24 karat lead guitars, simply thunderous drums and bass, plus the studio debut of Norman Skinner (Niviane & Imagika) whose soaring vocals elevate the material to unprecedented levels. Conceived by founder and guitarist Craig Locicero alongside his creative brother, drummer Chris Kontos, the foundational energy of bassist Matt Camacho, the versatility and poise of guitarist Jeremy Von Epp, and Skinner’s voracious fresh approach, Forbidden sees the band arriving at their finest hour with their richest-ever line-up.

With Skinner stepping up to take on lyrical duties, Forbidden takes a fierce and uncompromising look into the eyes of our times without taking sides, instead imploring people to recognize the false conflicts created by the current society and how they can conquer and rise above them. Take the blistering roar of “Single Point Failure”, the beautiful orchestral savagery of “Flower of Life”, and the relentless charge of “Burning The Lungs Of Earth.” There’s also the mid-paced brooding power of “Psyclops,” the twisting, winding power force of “Sycophantasy” featuring guest vocals from Mastodon’s Brann Dailor, and a thunderous ode to women “The Burden” featuring guest vocals from Kayla Dixon. In addition, Forbidden pay homage to classic American heavy metal band Savatage in the shape of a malevolent and mesmeric cover of “Sirens”, which embraces Greek mythology.

Recorded, produced and engineered at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California with engineer and co-producer Zack Ohren, Forbidden is the the resounding realization of a band which has finally found inner-peace, and furious cohesion, in expressing its true passionate angst and incredible metal heart.

Heathen is an American thrash metal band originating from the San Francisco Bay Area, active from 1984 to 1993 and again from 2001 onwards. Despite never achieving commercial success, the band is often credited – alongside Exodus, Testament, Forbidden, Death Angel and Vio-Lence – as one of the leaders of the Bay Area thrash metal scene of the mid-to-late 1980s, and they have gone through several line-up changes, leaving guitarist Lee Altus as the only constant member. To date, Heathen has released three studio albums: Breaking the Silence (1987), Victims of Deception (1991) and The Evolution of Chaos (2009). The band is currently signed with Nuclear Blast Records and recently completed work on the follow up to The Evolution of Chaos.

Void is a ferocious five-piece thrash metal band from Lafayette, Louisiana. Formed in 2019 by vocalist Jackson Davenport, the band quickly made a name for themselves across the Gulf Coast with an unmistakable sound rooted in tradition but fired with modern intensity.

After building regional momentum with local shows and their first Southern U.S. tour in late 2022, Void released their debut album Horrors of Reality in early 2023—a raw and relentless fusion of Bay Area thrash aggression and the band’s sinister themes. Their summer Haunted Madness tour followed, capped by the Halloween release of their single “Silent Onslaught.”

The following Summer of 2024 saw the band embark on their “Spectral Aggression” tour of the US, and after brief venture out west to open for thrash legends Whiplash, the band returned with a revamped lineup and evolved sonic identity. November’s “Return of the Phantom” showcased a matured, more dynamic approach and was met with critical acclaim.

In early 2025, Void entered the studio to record their sophomore album Forbidden Morals and toured the East Coast with Louisiana icons Exhorder. May’s single “Apparition” showed a darker, more layered direction, just ahead of their Breaking and Entering summer tour.