Craig Locicero, guitarist for thrash legends Forbidden, has checked in with the following message:
“For those of you who aren’t aware of our songwriting process, here’s how it goes:
Once we have a pile of quality riffs, the arrangement process has always been for myself and the drummer put the puzzle pieces together early on. Be it Bostaph, Jacobs, Hernandez, Horn and now Kontos. Sounds simple enough, but it’s never simple!
Each drummer added their own rhythmic identity to the process. Some more syncopated, some more tribal. All great in their own ways. Writing songs with Chris Kontos has been all of it and more. We try anything and everything we can think of as an alternative interpretation to a riff. Always thinking about the song more than the part. This process leads us to something greater than any one individual standing out. Sum of the parts.
And that’s just the early arrangement!
Matt comes in, hangs out and records everything. Learning as he goes. Thinks of alternative melodies and counter rhythms. Then Norm comes in and helps put a bow on the arrangements for his vocal ideas (which are always great). All the while we send the songs to Dan Mongrain, who’s located in Quebec. Once he focuses on it, he adds his ideas on arrangements and writes insanely cool counter parts and solos to the riffs. Taking a great idea and improving on it. Really something to behold his first idea demos.
Lastly, Norm shows us his melodies and lyrics. So far I’ve been giving him song titles and concepts and then he puts it all together. Then Chris and myself help button it up. This process is fantastic, because I can concentrate more on my job and less on Norm’s. He’s proven to be amazing at writing Forbidden lyrics.
Chris and I are presently pounding out the next batch of songs. We’re recording this album in phases. Because we can! This phase is SUPER heavy and technical. Some of the craziest riffs thus far. Writing with Chris is like scripting an epic movie. He helps me see everything in technicolor.
I think any Forbidden fan will appreciate what we’re doing here. It’s a real team effort.”
Forbidden recently shared an audio teaser for new single “Divided By Zero”. Check it out below:
“Another taste of ‘Divided By Zero’. Our first new music since 2010’s Omega Wave. Step by step… we get closer.”
Bloodstock Open Air organizers recently released the video below, along with the following message:
“Bay Area thrash metal legends, Forbidden, made their long-awaited return to UK soil with a devastatingly powerful full set performance at Bloodstock Open Air 2024, proving that their legacy is not just alive—it’s on fire. Taking over the main stage at Catton Park on August 10th, Forbidden unleashed a relentless barrage of classic thrash fury that left thousands of fans in awe.
With a setlist packed full of fan favorites and technical masterpieces, Forbidden delivered a sonic assault that was both precise and punishing. Every riff, solo, and breakdown reminded the crowd exactly why Forbidden are considered pioneers of the Bay Area thrash movement. Their performance combined old-school intensity with modern-day muscle, captivating longtime fans and winning over a new generation of metalheads.
From the explosive opening to the final crushing moments, the band’s energy never let up. The pit was a warzone of headbangers, moshers, and diehards screaming every lyric back at the stage. Forbidden’s tight musicianship, scorching guitar work, and commanding stage presence made this one of the most talked-about sets of BOA 2024.
This performance wasn’t just a comeback—it was a declaration. Thrash is eternal, and Forbidden are still among its fiercest torchbearers.”
Setlist:
“Parting of the Ways”
“Infinite”
“Out of Body (Out of Mind)”
“Forbidden Evil”
“March Into Fire”
“Twisted Into Form”
“Step by Step”
“Through Eyes of Glass”
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The post FORBIDDEN Guitarist CRAIG LOCICERO Shares Studio Update – “We’re Recording This Album In Phases; This Phase Is Super Heavy And Technical” appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
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“For those of you who aren’t aware of our songwriting process, here’s how it goes:
Once we have a pile of quality riffs, the arrangement process has always been for myself and the drummer put the puzzle pieces together early on. Be it Bostaph, Jacobs, Hernandez, Horn and now Kontos. Sounds simple enough, but it’s never simple!
Each drummer added their own rhythmic identity to the process. Some more syncopated, some more tribal. All great in their own ways. Writing songs with Chris Kontos has been all of it and more. We try anything and everything we can think of as an alternative interpretation to a riff. Always thinking about the song more than the part. This process leads us to something greater than any one individual standing out. Sum of the parts.
And that’s just the early arrangement!
Matt comes in, hangs out and records everything. Learning as he goes. Thinks of alternative melodies and counter rhythms. Then Norm comes in and helps put a bow on the arrangements for his vocal ideas (which are always great). All the while we send the songs to Dan Mongrain, who’s located in Quebec. Once he focuses on it, he adds his ideas on arrangements and writes insanely cool counter parts and solos to the riffs. Taking a great idea and improving on it. Really something to behold his first idea demos.
Lastly, Norm shows us his melodies and lyrics. So far I’ve been giving him song titles and concepts and then he puts it all together. Then Chris and myself help button it up. This process is fantastic, because I can concentrate more on my job and less on Norm’s. He’s proven to be amazing at writing Forbidden lyrics.
Chris and I are presently pounding out the next batch of songs. We’re recording this album in phases. Because we can! This phase is SUPER heavy and technical. Some of the craziest riffs thus far. Writing with Chris is like scripting an epic movie. He helps me see everything in technicolor.
I think any Forbidden fan will appreciate what we’re doing here. It’s a real team effort.”
Forbidden recently shared an audio teaser for new single “Divided By Zero”. Check it out below:
“Another taste of ‘Divided By Zero’. Our first new music since 2010’s Omega Wave. Step by step… we get closer.”
Bloodstock Open Air organizers recently released the video below, along with the following message:
“Bay Area thrash metal legends, Forbidden, made their long-awaited return to UK soil with a devastatingly powerful full set performance at Bloodstock Open Air 2024, proving that their legacy is not just alive—it’s on fire. Taking over the main stage at Catton Park on August 10th, Forbidden unleashed a relentless barrage of classic thrash fury that left thousands of fans in awe.
With a setlist packed full of fan favorites and technical masterpieces, Forbidden delivered a sonic assault that was both precise and punishing. Every riff, solo, and breakdown reminded the crowd exactly why Forbidden are considered pioneers of the Bay Area thrash movement. Their performance combined old-school intensity with modern-day muscle, captivating longtime fans and winning over a new generation of metalheads.
From the explosive opening to the final crushing moments, the band’s energy never let up. The pit was a warzone of headbangers, moshers, and diehards screaming every lyric back at the stage. Forbidden’s tight musicianship, scorching guitar work, and commanding stage presence made this one of the most talked-about sets of BOA 2024.
This performance wasn’t just a comeback—it was a declaration. Thrash is eternal, and Forbidden are still among its fiercest torchbearers.”
Setlist:
“Parting of the Ways”
“Infinite”
“Out of Body (Out of Mind)”
“Forbidden Evil”
“March Into Fire”
“Twisted Into Form”
“Step by Step”
“Through Eyes of Glass”
Follow BraveWords on social media… Facebook page, Facebook Group, X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and YouTube.
Visit https://linktr.ee/bravewords
The post FORBIDDEN Guitarist CRAIG LOCICERO Shares Studio Update – “We’re Recording This Album In Phases; This Phase Is Super Heavy And Technical” appeared first on BraveWords - Where Music Lives.
Continue reading...