Drummer CHRIS KONTOS Exits FORBIDDEN: 'I Have Decided That I Can No Longer Continue As A Part Of The Band'

Drummer Chris Kontos has officially exited San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN after a three-year run with the band.

Earlier today (Wednesday, November 4),Kontos released the following statement via social media: "This does not come easy for me. I have been trying to not have to do this and resolve many issues with FORBIDDEN for quite some time now. I have expressed my concerns to the band members as well as our management, the legal team and accounting. Financial integrity, a lack of transparency of accounting, ongoing business decisions I did not agree with, or was not made aware of or told about till after the fact resulting in conflicts with the band. These issues have become irreconcilable. I have decided that I can no longer continue as a part of the band.

"I am stepping down as the drummer for FORBIDDEN effective immediately. I wish the band all the best moving forward.

"I am incredibly proud of the music we created together including the new album and videos. I have never worked harder on a project in my life. I put my heart and soul into every bit of the work. I'm truly grateful to the fans for nearly four years of incredible support.

"I want to thank BLKIIBLK Records as well as everyone that helped the band over my time in FORBIDDEN. This includes past band members, road crew, sound engineers, tour management, production companies and promoters. I'm very grateful and have a ton of appreciation and gratitude for you all. You know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"I'm looking forward to what life has to offer moving forward. New opportunities and adventures.

"I respectfully ask for privacy at this time and will have no further comment.

"Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support."

The remaining members of FORBIDDEN issued a separate statement indicating that Kontos's departure came as a surprise.

"Everyone in FORBIDDEN wants to wish Chris Kontos the absolute best in his future endeavors," the band said. "We found out about his leaving the band the same way everyone else did. A social media post.

"What we created together with this album will hopefully stand the test of time. Chris was an integral part of the process.

"We wish him nothing but happiness."

This past September, it was announced that Kontos and FORBIDDEN bassist Matt Camacho would sit out the band's fall 2026 U.S. tour with HEATHEN and VOID due to "personal reasons". They are being temporarily replaced by Avery Thurman and Eli Lucas, respectively.

FORBIDDEN's "Chaos By Design" U.S. tour with HEATHEN and VOID launched on October 23 in Las Vegas and will conclude on November 22 in Los Angeles, California.

FORBIDDEN released its new, self-titled album on October 23 via BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group. The band's long-awaited follow-up to 2010's "Omega Wave" album was tracked at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California with engineer/co-producer Zack Ohren.

Formed in 1985 in Fremont, California as FORBIDDEN EVIL, FORBIDDEN quickly became one of the defining bands of the Bay Area thrash metal movement alongside the genre's biggest names. Following lineup changes that solidified the classic lineup featuring vocalist Russ Anderson, guitarists Locicero and Glen Alvelais, Camacho and drummer Paul Bostaph, the band released their landmark 1988 debut "Forbidden Evil" before shortening their name to FORBIDDEN. Acclaimed follow-up albums "Twisted Into Form" (1990),"Distortion" (1994) and "Green" (1997) showcased the band's technical precision, melodic songwriting, and Anderson's unmistakable vocals, while extensive tours with acts including SACRED REICH, EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, TESTAMENT and MALEVOLENT CREATION helped cement their reputation as one of thrash's most respected acts. After disbanding in 1997, FORBIDDEN reunited in 2008, released the acclaimed comeback album "Omega Wave" in 2010, and toured internationally before going on hiatus once again in 2012.

FORBIDDEN returned in 2023 with founding guitarist Locicero joined by longtime members Camacho and Steve Smyth (guitar),alongside vocalist Norman Skinner and drummer Chris Kontos. The revitalized lineup made its live debut at Belgium's Alcatraz Metal Festival before returning home for sold-out Bay Area performances supporting DEATH ANGEL's annual Christmas shows. Focused on creating new music, the band entered a new creative era in 2025 with the release of its first new song in 15 years, "Divided By Zero".

Last November, FORBIDDEN announced it had parted ways with VOIVOD guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain and replaced him with Jeremy Von Epp.

Mongrain originally joined FORBIDDEN in July 2024 as the replacement for Steve Smyth.

Smyth exited FORBIDDEN in July 2024, saying in a statement that he "decided it's time to part ways with FORBIDDEN, and return to my band ONE MACHINE as priority, along with other projects on the horizon, and of course session work, and teaching music as always."

The first lineup of the resurrected FORBIDDEN — consisting of Locicero, Camacho, Skinner, Kontos and Smyth — made its live debut at a "secret" show in July 2023 at Baltic Kiss in Richmond, California under the TWISTED INTO EVIL banner.

Photo credit: Phil Emerson