The Chris Kontos Forbidden era is over. The drummer said on Wednesday, Nov. 4, that he is stepping down from the Bay Area thrash band effective immediately, citing financial integrity, a lack of accounting transparency and business decisions he was not told about. The statement was posted on social media and reported by Blabbermouth.
Chris Kontos Forbidden Statement
“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,” Kontos wrote.
“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.”
He added that he is “incredibly proud of the music we created together including the new album and videos,” thanked BLKIIBLK Records, crew and promoters, and asked for privacy. “I respectfully ask for privacy at this time and will have no further comment.”
Forbidden Respond
The remaining members said they learned the news the same way fans did. Per ThePRP, the band’s statement read: “Everyone in Forbidden wants to wish Chris Kontos the absolute best in his future endeavors. 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.”
Already Off the Chaos By Design Tour
Kontos was already sitting out Forbidden’s fall U.S. run. In September, the band announced that Kontos and bassist Matt Camacho would miss the Chaos By Design tour with Heathen and Void for “personal reasons.” Avery Thurman (drums) and Eli Lucas (bass) are filling in, matching Blabbermouth’s report that they temporarily replace Kontos and Camacho respectively. The tour launched Oct. 23 in Las Vegas. Whether Camacho returns after the tour has not been announced, and neither has a permanent drummer.
Kontos had been in Forbidden since the 2023 return, when founding guitarist Craig Locicero regrouped with Camacho, guitarist Steve Smyth and vocalist Norman Skinner. For more Bay Area thrash history, see our Blind Illusion live album story.
Remaining Chaos By Design dates
- Nov. 4: Worcester, MA, The Palladium (Upstairs)
- Nov. 5: Brooklyn, NY, TBA
- Nov. 7: Albany, NY, Empire Underground
- Nov. 8: Lititz, PA, Mickey’s Black Box
- Nov. 9: Greensboro, NC, Hangar 1819
- Nov. 10: Greenville, SC, Radio Room
- Nov. 12: Orlando, FL, Conduit
- Nov. 13: Atlanta, GA, Masquerade (Altar)
- Nov. 15: Destin, FL, Club LA
- Nov. 17: Austin, TX, Come And Take It Live
- Nov. 18: Dallas, TX, Trees
- Nov. 20: Albuquerque, NM, Launchpad
- Nov. 21: Tucson, AZ, Club Congress
- Nov. 22: Los Angeles, CA, Teragram Ballroom
The closest show to San Diego is the tour finale at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 22. There is no San Diego date.
Forbidden’s New Album
The fallout comes days after Forbidden released their self-titled album on Oct. 23 via BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group. It is their first album since 2010’s Omega Wave and was tracked at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland with engineer and co-producer Zack Ohren. Kontos plays on the record, which he called the hardest he has ever worked on a project. With no replacement named, the Chris Kontos Forbidden split leaves the band without a permanent drummer for now.
SDMETAL
