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It has been a number of years since one band has burst upon the scene to completely revolutionize an entire genre but that is all about to change. Much like visionaries Hatebreed, Meshuggah and The Dillinger Escape Plan, the mighty GOD FORBID forge their own path with a stunning new effort that stretches musical boundaries to their limits. The New Jersey-based quintet successfully strived to create an opus that would not only stand the test of time but also push their talents to the very max. It has been a long, hard road for GOD FORBID and this new album proves their determination has paid off tenfold.
Soon after the group's inception in 1996, Out of Misery and Reject The Sickness were released on the small indie label 9 Volt Records helping GOD FORBID develop a rabid underground following. This buzz quickly attracted the attention of Century Media Records who immediately signed the band. In 2001, they unleashed Determination - an Americanized form of thrash metal so unrelenting that it brought listeners to their knees. This offering also saw the band incorporate more of their hardcore influences into their already relentless attack helping them develop rabid fans in the metal and hardcore crowds alike, a feat not easily accomplished. The album garnered mainstream acclaim and would soon prove to be a small taste of what this band was fully capable of creating. GOD FORBID embarked on an endless amount of tours over the course of two years. This undying road dog mentality helped them to expand their devoted fanbase. The challenge of playing numerous shows with artists ranging from Cradle of Filth and Opeth to Mushroomhead and Thursday forced their live performance to only grow stronger and more devastating. In the same timeframe, We Put Out Records re-released Out of Misery complete with additional tracks. It would be these years of experience that they would take into the recording of their highly anticipated new offering.
After a three-year wait and with a desire to prove to the world just what they are truly capable of, the group return with their most pummeling offering to date. This time they have successfully bridged the gap between thrash, hardcore and traditional metal. The group's many influences, ranging from Ozzy and Slayer to Megadeth and The Haunted all shine though on this stunning new offering, as they created a record that can appeal to any fan of heavy music no matter their preference. The new album, Gone Forever, was recorded at Trax East Studios by Eric Rachel (Atreyu, A Life Once Lost) and mixed by acclaimed producer Colin Richardson (Chimaira, Fear Factory).
Doc Coyle (guitars) further describes the band's evolution, "Gone Forever is a huge step forward for us all. I have never been more proud of an album and for all of the longtime fans out there, please do not expect a Determination sequel. It has all of the elements of our past records but the songs are written and arranged better. It's extremely heavy with great riffs and melodies, better lyrics and more intricate leads. We promise that you will not be disappointed."
With three full-length releases and almost a decade of experience under their belts, the group has unleashed the most cohesive and dynamic offering possible. Propelled by the shredding and vocal melodies of the blistering guitar duo of Doc and Dallas Coyle and the rock-solid rhythm section of Jon Outcalt (bass) and Corey Pierce (drums), each of the album's 10 tracks keeps listeners on their toes. This is all capped off with the guttural screams and sinister aggression of Byron Davis on vocals, who proves he is one of the most commanding frontmen iReign In Bloodn the genre today. Imagine a propulsive mixture of Killswitch Engage melodies, Arch Enemy thrash aggression and Pantera intensity. The group has spent the latter half of 2003 on tour alongside the likes of Atreyu, Darkest Hour and fellow hometown giants E-Town Concrete devastating audiences with their new material. However, it would be their slot on the massive MTV2 sponsored Headbanger's Ball tour that would cap off an already stellar year. Recall how stunned you were after first hearing Kill Them All and because this album is going to hit you just as hard, as GOD FORBID officially raised the bar for all other bands in the genre. Prepare to be annihilated.
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