CRAIG LOCICERO On FORBIDDEN’s New, Self-Titled Album: ‘If You’re Expecting Just Thrash Metal, You Might Be Disappointed’

FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero says the band’s forthcoming self-titled album blends heavy metal, thrash and progressive music, rather than sticking to thrash alone. He argues that the group has its own sound, shaped in part by original singer Russ Anderson’s versatility, and says every member contributed to the new record.

“Forbidden” is the band’s first studio album since 2010’s “Omega Wave” and its first featuring vocalist Norman Skinner, drummer Chris Kontos and guitarist Jeremy Von Epp. Locicero says writing took around two to two and a half years, with him working closely with Kontos before co-writing four songs with Von Epp; the band prepared demos and aimed to keep the recording raw.