FORBIDDEN announces self-titled album, shares new single 'Psyclops'
24-07-2026
San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal pioneers FORBIDDEN will release their new, self-titled album on October 23 via BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group. The band’s follow-up to 2010’s “Omega Wave” album was tracked at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California with engineer/co-producer Zack Ohren. To celebrate the announcement and offer fans a taste of what to expect, FORBIDDEN releases their new 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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