San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal stalwarts Forbidden have officially returned, marking their resurgence with the release of the music video for “Divided By Zero“—their first new song in over 15 years. This powerful track not only signals a new chapter for the band but also features their current lineup, showcasing a blend of veteran presence and fresh talent.
The “Divided By Zero” video offers a stark, dystopian visual narrative that amplifies the song’s intense lyrical themes. As the band describes, the video “is the stuff of dystopian nightmares, depicting how influential words and propaganda of the few have power to sway the many.” Created by Ethan Renoe at Crumb Hill, its “disturbing imagery… visually captures the story perfectly, haunting, powerful, and poignant,” portraying how individuals can become “robots and monsters” through societal “brainwashing.”
Lyrically, “Divided By Zero” delves into critical social commentary, addressing a profound breakdown in civility.
The band stated: “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 opening riff for the track was notably the first new musical idea founding guitarist Craig Locicero brought to the table for this new era of Forbidden.
“Divided By Zero” also serves as the inaugural recording with Forbidden‘s revitalized lineup. This includes Locicero and longtime bassist Matt Camacho, alongside new additions Norman “Norm” Skinner on vocals and Chris Kontos on drums. Adding to the instrumental prowess is VOIVOD guitarist Daniel Mongrain, who joined as a replacement for Steve Smyth in July 2024. The song was recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, with engineer/co-producer Zack Ohren, embracing a production approach reminiscent of their 1988 debut, Forbidden Evil, opting for a raw sound free of samples, triggers, and excessive editing.
To support their return, Forbidden is set to hit the stage, beginning with a performance at Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, California, on July 25th, alongside Nasty Savage. This will precede their European tour, titled “40 Years Of Twisted Evil,” which kicks off on August 1st at Germany’s renowned Wacken Open Air festival. This tour not only marks a significant comeback but also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the band’s formation and the 35th anniversary of their seminal second album, Twisted Into Form, originally released in March 1990 via Combat Records.
Forbidden 2025 tour dates:
7/25 Los Angeles, CA Teragram Ballroom (with Nasty Savage)
8/1 Wacken, DE Wacken Open Air
8/2 Herfor, DE Kulturwerk
8/3 Eindhoven, NL Dynamo (with Warbringer)
8/4 Köln, DE Luxor
8/5 Aschaffenburg, DE Colos-Saal
8/6 München, DE Free & Easy Festival, Backstage Halle (with 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
