FORBIDDEN

Like most of BLACK SABBATH studio albums, their latest release presents nothing more than straight heavy metal based on Tony Iommi's guitar riff inspirations. For some peculiar reason the band seems to take a path to 'modernisation' with the inclusion of rap vocals on the opening track and groovier riffs at various tracks in the album.

Although I can still enjoy some moments after more than 10 years having heard the album for the first time, the overall feeling someone could get after a few listens is that Forbidden is probably the worst studio album made in the history of the band. Iommi once again adds his slow/creeping heavy riffs and the sound resembles to recent efforts like Tyr and Headless Cross. The band line-up is quite promising and the successful 'recipe' with Tony Martin on the vocals seems as it might work again...

Despite that, there are not any really inspiring moments throughout the record and the few glimpses of hope appear in the slower/ballad-like songs and in occasional riffs spread here and there. Namely, I won't cry for you and Kiss of death, while not great, reminded me of some good compositions in previous Martin-era albums and stand quite above the rest with some great vocal melodies. The title track is based on a mid-tempo classic Sabbath riff, sounds quite pleasant and can be regarded as a decent composition...

...beyond that there is almost chaos! Occasional good guitar riffs on Can't get close enough and Shaking off the chains can not hide the big disadvantage of this album: inspiration. The band seems to struggle to create interesting pieces of heavy music and depends on repeated and previously-used riffs. There are even insulting or embarrassing moments that could have been avoided (opening track, Rusty angels).

Concluding, it is not worth spending too much time on this release, although I would pick out a few decent tracks from time to time. In my opinion, even fans of SABBATH including myself would struggle to enjoy this album and prog fans would probably discard it eagerly...