FORBIDDEN connect the musical approach of their early records with a technological catastrophe on their new single, “Single Point Failure.” Released alongside a visualizer, the song opens the Bay Area thrash band’s self-titled album, their first full-length since 2010.
In the announcement supplied by Freeman Promotions, guitarist Craig Locicero compares the track to the Twisted Into Form era. He describes intertwining syncopated, melodic riffs and instruments tuned to standard E, as on the band’s first two albums. His account highlights Norman Skinner’s urgent vocals, bassist Matt Camacho and drummer Chris Kontos driving the rhythm section, and guitar solos shared with Jeremy Von Epp.
Locicero calls the song “a fast-paced bashing thrasher.” Its lyrical premise imagines an electromagnetic pulse caused by solar activity disabling electronics across the planet. In his description, the resulting loss of communications and technology-dependent infrastructure leads to panic and social unrest. That disaster scenario is the guitarist’s explanation of the song’s subject.
“‘Single Point Failure’ feels frantic and befitting of the subject matter while being a fun and turbulent ride,” Locicero says.
FORBIDDEN released their self-titled sixth studio album on October 23, 2026, through BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group. Recorded at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, the 11-track album marks the Bay Area thrash metal veterans’ first full-length release since 2010’s Omega Wave. “Single Point Failure” serves as the album’s opening track.
Locicero, Kontos and Zach Ohren produced the album. The announcement describes a running time exceeding an hour, ending with the nine-minute “Flower of Life (Chaos By Design).” Mastodon’s Brann Dailor also joins the band on “Sycophantasy.”
Discussing the recording, Locicero explains: “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.” He describes the process as an odyssey and credits every member’s contribution.
The announced running order is “Single Point Failure,” “Burning The Lungs of Earth,” “Divided By Zero,” “DCLXVI,” “Psyclops,” “Jisei,” “Mutually Assured Dysfunction,” “Sycophantasy,” “The Burden,” “Sol Grave” and “Flower of Life (Chaos By Design).”
FORBIDDEN formed in Fremont, California, in 1985. Their 1988 debut was followed by Twisted Into Form in 1990, Distortion in 1994 and Green in 1997. After disbanding in 1997, they reunited in 2008 and released Omega Wave in 2010, before another hiatus began in 2012. The band returned in 2023; “Divided By Zero” followed in 2025 as their first new song in 15 years.
The current lineup comprises Skinner on vocals, Locicero and Von Epp on guitars, Camacho on bass and Kontos on drums. The accompanying promotional band photograph is credited to Phil Emerson.