FORBIDDEN Bassist MATT CAMACHO And Drummer CHRIS KONTOS To Sit Out Fall 2026 U.S. Tour; Temporary Replacements Announced

FORBIDDEN bassist Matt Camacho and drummer Chris Kontos will sit out the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' fall 2026 U.S. tour with HEATHEN and VOID due to "personal reasons". They will be temporarily replaced by Avery Thurman and Eli Lucas, respectively.

On Friday (September 18),FORBIDDEN released the following statement via social media: "Hello, FORBIDDEN People. We're letting you all know that Matt & Chris unfortunately can't be a part of our upcoming US tour with HEATHEN & VOID, starting on October 23rd. They both have personal reasons that they can't make this trip. Please respect their privacy as we do and support their decision.

"That being said, they're both planning on being back in the fold in 2027, as we have a full slate of touring coming up to support our first new album in 16 years — a record that both Chris & Matt are a part of and made amazing contributions to.

"We've already been preparing/rehearsing the set for the last few weeks with Eli Lucas (drums) & Avery Thurman (bass). Both of these guys are absolutely insane musicians in their own right. Eli was the runner-up as FORBIDDEN's drummer during our international search back in 2011. He barely missed the cut by a whisker to Sasha Horn, simply because Eli was a little too young & inexperienced at the time. Since then, he's gained a reputation as one of the Bay Area's best drummers. Avery is being borrowed from the legendary BLIND ILLUSION for this tour. He's a 21-year-old bass prodigy who's been quickly making a name for himself with his insane technique & raging stage presence. Both of them have no shortage of energy & musical prowess. We're ecstatic to have them aboard for the tour, with the blessings of both Matt & Chris.

"We're working on a set spanning most of our history, revolving around 18 songs that we can pull in & out each night.

"See you out there on tour starting October 23rd at The Usual Place in Las Vegas."

Matt added in a separate statement : "There is nothing more satisfying than playing for FORBIDDEN fans, which is why it pains me, due to circumstances out of my control, that I will miss the upcoming US tour.

"I want to thank Avery Thurman from BLIND ILLUSION for stepping in for me, and thank Team FORBIDDEN for understanding.

"This is the first tour I will miss since 1987, and I'll be super excited to rejoin my brothers in 2027.

"HORNS UP!!!! You're in good hands. This lineup is insane!"

In his own statement, Chris wrote: "Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I will not be able to join FORBIDDEN on the upcoming US tour. It all comes down to some very important family and personal commitments, as well as timing that just doesn't line up right now.

"I'm really bummed to miss it because I was looking forward to hitting the road with the band and crew and seeing all of you out there.

"Thank you so much for your understanding and support. Please show my replacement, Eli Lucas, the same respect and support you would show me. Eli is a fantastic drummer who will certainly deliver an outstanding performance on this tour.

"I'm hoping I'll have another chance to tour down the line and see you all again."

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

FORBIDDEN will release 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 Craig Locicero and Glen Alvelais, bassist Matt 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 Craig Locicero joined by longtime members Matt Camacho and Steve Smyth, 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 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