Drummer CHRIS KONTOS quits FORBIDDEN
05-11-2026
Drummer Chris Kontos has officially exited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN after a three-year run with the band.
On Wednesday, November 4,Kontos released the following statement via social media: “This does not come easy for me. I have been trying to not have to do this and resolve many issues with FORBIDDEN for quite some time now. I have expressed my concerns to the band members as well as our management, the legal team and accounting. Financial integrity, a lack of transparency of accounting, ongoing business decisions I did not agree with, or was not made aware of or told about till after the fact resulting in conflicts with the band. These issues have become irreconcilable. I have decided that I can no longer continue as a part of the band.
“I am stepping down as the drummer for FORBIDDEN effective immediately. I wish the band all the best moving forward.
“I am incredibly proud of the music we created together including the new album and videos. I have never worked harder on a project in my life. I put my heart and soul into every bit of the work. I’m truly grateful to the fans for nearly four years of incredible support.
“I want to thank BLKIIBLK Records as well as everyone that helped the band over my time in FORBIDDEN. This includes past band members, road crew, sound engineers, tour management, production companies and promoters. I’m very grateful and have a ton of appreciation and gratitude for you all. You know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“I’m looking forward to what life has to offer moving forward. New opportunities and adventures.
“I respectfully ask for privacy at this time and will have no further comment.
“Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.”
The remaining members of FORBIDDEN issued a separate statement indicating that Kontos‘s departure came as a surprise.
“Everyone in FORBIDDEN wants to wish Chris Kontos the absolute best in his future endeavors,” the band said. “We found out about his leaving the band the same way everyone else did. A social media post.
“What we created together with this album will hopefully stand the test of time. Chris was an integral part of the process.
“We wish him nothing but happiness.”
Last July FORBIDDEN will released their single, “Psyclops”, alongside an official video.
Watch “Psyclops” below.
About the new single, FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero shares: “‘Psyclops’ was the final song completed for our newest self-titled offering. It was part of the last batch of music completed with [FORBIDDEN guitarist] Jeremy Von Epp and myself on the home stretch of our writing sessions and it came together quickly. The song itself is a hypnotizing stomper. Heavy footed like millions of people marching against how things stand in the status quo. Norman‘s (Skinner, FORBIDDEN singer) lyrics for ‘Psyclops’ should be left to the interpretation of the listeners. The chorus paints a vivid picture…’Forsaken, fast asleep and trapped inside a maze, Complacent eyes securely locked in an obscure gaze.'”
Watch the previously releaed “Mutually Assured Dysfunction” below.
Last year FORBIDDEN returned with the official music video for their first new song in over 15 years, “Divided By Zero”. The track marked the band’s first recording with FORBIDDEN‘s current lineup, consisting of founding guitarist Craig Locicero, alongside longtime bassist Matt Camacho and the group’s latest additions, Norman “Norm” Skinner (vocals) and Chris Kontos (drums),plus VOIVOD guitarist Daniel Mongrain, who stepped in as a replacement for Steve Smyth in July 2024.
Watch “Divided By Zero” below.
FORBIDDEN comments: “The opening riff for ‘Divided By Zero’ was the first thing Craig brought to the table as a new FORBIDDEN song. 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 band adds: “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.”
Locicero comments on the album: “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. Every member brought their best, and having Brann Dailor (MASTODON) join us on ‘Sycophantasy’ was an incredible addition. ‘Forbidden’ is five lifetimes of experience forged into one piece of metallic art.”
“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)
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