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Rating: Uh-oh! It has been pointed out that this review also appears (in whole or in part) on truemetal.it
In my opinion, Forbidden was one of the most important bands born from the second wave of Thrash Metal that came from the Bay Area, those that emerged around 1987/88. Unfortunately, the band, after two excellent albums, lost their way, chasing the sounds that were in vogue at the beginning of the '90s, thus losing their identity.
The opening track "Chalice Of Blood" must be rightfully included among the best Thrash songs of all time, a direct, violent, and at the same time very technical piece, with Paul Bostaph (as we all know, he later became the drummer for Slayer) dictating fiery and always very precise rhythms. The characteristic that has always identified Forbidden is the voice of singer Russ Anderson, powerful but also clean, very personal. The following "Off the Edge" is another hit, with Craig Locicero and Glenn Alvelais' guitars always ready to grind out devastating riffs, and bassist Matt Camacho adding further rhythmic depth, as if Bostaph's powerful drums weren't enough.
It continues with "Through Eyes of Glass", another devastating piece, with violent accelerations that seem to encourage the most frantic pogo. The central break is nice, giving the listener a breather without losing the piece's power, and the solo guitar work is first-rate. The title track, "Forbidden Evil" indeed, is another piece that could be used as an example to show people what U.S.A.-made Thrash was like back then. The beginning of the piece is based on not excessively fast tempos, but the riffs produced by the Alvelais-Locicero duo are those kinds that break. The track continues with what are the band's characteristics, namely precise and effective tempo changes, neck-breaking riffs, and Russ treating us with some great high notes.
The listening continues with "March into Fire", another masterpiece song, another hit. Forbidden impresses for the ability to create songs that are so aggressive and at the same time of such high technical difficulty. Bostaph's performance on this track is nothing short of impressive; listening to this song, one understands why Slayer wanted him to replace the great Dave Lombardo. The vocal parts are also very nice, being melodic and aggressive at the same time. "Feel no Pain" begins with the sounds of a battle and sad atmospheres, then turning into yet another Thrash hit. This piece reminds me of certain things by Slayer, an evident source of inspiration, along with Metallica, for the group. The band does nothing to hide their influences, reinterpreting them in a personal key and creating a fairly personal style. We arrive at "As Good As Dead", and the band does not cease to amaze, pulling out another great piece. The recipe is always the same, but Forbidden manages to give each song a different personality. The piece is another lesson on how to make high-quality Thrash.
The finale is entrusted to "Follow me", which opens with a guitar arpeggio halfway between sickly and melodic. One cannot help but be amazed by the number and quality of riffs churned out by the band. The finale of a great album like this couldn't be trusted to a better song, embodying all the best qualities of this album.
This "Forbidden Evil" is a Thrash gem too often forgotten; if you like Bay Area Thrash of the '80s, you cannot miss it, it would be a grave mistake.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Chalice of Blood (04:22)
What is this, an evil church?
People deceived upon the Earth,
Sundays prayer has lost the truth,
Will we dare to live the truth?
What I see is a serpent hiss,
Congration makes the list,
Pass around your money plates
Gather' round to fill the date
Welcome to the church of lies
Doves will die,
A priest will cry,
Man will tithe
Welcome to the church of lies
Chalice of blood,
Waits to fill us,
Chalice of blood
Unfaithful priest an evil man,
Mark of death fills his hand,
Black and white turn to grey,
In blaspheme he will pray,
Deceived by religion he will see,
Run in panic you will flee,
Out of heaven he will fall,
Fame to riches says it all,
Welcome to the church of lies
Doves will die,
A priest will cry,
Man will tithe
Welcome to the church of lies
Chalice of blood,
Waits to fill us,
Chalice of blood
Talk in tongues out of mind,
Is this truth you will find?
The evil ways is lose control,
Satan's laugh will be your toll,
Church of god lives in sin,
Gathers up all of men,
Out of good we're still in fright,
We all must live to see the light
Chalice of blood,
Waits to fill us,
Chalice of blood
You're welcome to church of lies
06 Feel No Pain (04:17)
Broken code holds information,
Deadly message of confrontation,
Secret passed from spy to spy,
Covert action needles eye,
Silent hero secret word,
Blow his cover kick down the door,
Caught in act the pain is near,
Close my mind to all fear
Give him strength to help block the pain,
In his mind that screams,
For mercy he will not give in
Feel no pain, feel no pain
Talk is done he must prepare,
Tortured now strapped in the chair,
The beating's over he must rest,
He has suffered his very best,
Sharpened blades rip through his skin,
Worthless efforts he won't give in,
His blood is cold his nerves is are dead,
They can't get inside his head
Give him strength to help block the pain,
In his mind that screams,
For mercy he will not give in
Feel no pain, feel no pain
Pain, pain, pain, pain
Crush
Broken code holds information,
Deadly message of confrontation,
Secret passed from spy to spy,
Covert action needles eye,
Silent hero secret word,
Blow his cover kick down the door,
Caught in act the pain is near,
Close my mind to all fear
Give him strength to help block the pain,
In his mind that screams,
For mercy he will not give in
Feel no pain, feel no pain
Pain!
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Other reviews
By BartOcraBus
"'Forbidden Evil' is one of the most devastating debuts of '80s Thrash for its ferocity, technical skill, and personality."
"Thrash Metal thus succeeds in organizing its restless stylistic chaos, imposing control over the aggression that lies at the base of the movement."
