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{{About|the album|the band|Forbidden (band)}}
{{About|the album|the band|Forbidden (band)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Forbidden
| name = Forbidden
| type = Album
| type = studio
| artist = [[Black Sabbath]]
| artist = [[Black Sabbath]]
| cover = Forbidden.jpg
| cover = Forbidden.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Cover art by [[Paul Sample (cartoonist)|Paul Sample]]
| caption = Cover art by [[Paul Sample (cartoonist)|Paul Sample]]
| released = 5 June 1995<ref>{{cite magazine|date=3 June 1995|title=New Releases|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-06-03.pdf|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=34|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
| released = {{start date|1995|6|5|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite magazine|date=3 June 1995|title=New Releases|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-06-03.pdf|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=34|access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=Forbidden|url=https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pbkAAOSwQnFlA-X3/s-l1600.jpg|access-date=5 November 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231105154513/https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pbkAAOSwQnFlA-X3/s-l1600.jpg|archive-date=5 November 2023|url-status=unfit|publisher=[[I.R.S. Records]]|year=1995|type=press advertisement}}</ref>
| recorded = 4 December 1994 – March 1995<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.black-sabbath.com/2020/06/forbidden-at-25/|title=Forbidden at 25 – Black Sabbath Online}}</ref>
| recorded = 4 December 1994 – March 1995<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.black-sabbath.com/2020/06/forbidden-at-25/|title=Forbidden at 25 – Black Sabbath Online|website=Black-sabbath.com}}</ref>
| venue =
| studio =
| studio = Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, England<br />[[Devonshire Sound Studios]], Los Angeles, California
* Parr Street (Liverpool, England)
* [[Devonshire Sound Studios|Devonshire Sound]] (Los Angeles)
| genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
| genre = [[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]
| length = 44:10
| length = 44:10
Line 22: Line 23:
| next_year = 2013
| next_year = 2013
}}
}}
⚫
'''''Forbidden''''' is the eighteenth studio album by English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Black Sabbath]], released in June 1995. This recording saw the reunion of Black Sabbath's ''[[Tyr (album)|Tyr]]''-era line-up from 1990, with the return of [[Neil Murray (British musician)|Neil Murray]] and [[Cozy Powell]]. It was the last album to feature [[Tony Martin (British singer)|Tony Martin]] on vocals and [[Geoff Nicholls]] on keyboards, and the last by the band until 2013 when [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Geezer Butler]] returned for the album ''[[13 (Black Sabbath album)|13]]''. The album sold 21,000 copies in the US in its first week and as of 2013, ''Forbidden'' has sold 191,000 copies in the US.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?H=Black-Sabbath-set-for-major-US-debut&nItemID=67226 | title = Black Sabbath set for major US debut | access-date = 30 August 2013 | date = 18 June 2013 | publisher = Music-News.com}}</ref>


⚫
'''''Forbidden''''' is the eighteenth studio album by English rock band [[Black Sabbath]], released on 5 June 1995. This recording saw the reunion of Black Sabbath's ''[[Tyr (album)|Tyr]]''-era line-up from 1990, with the return of [[Neil Murray (British musician)|Neil Murray]] and [[Cozy Powell]]. It was the last album to feature [[Tony Martin (British singer)|Tony Martin]] on vocals and [[Geoff Nicholls]] on keyboards, and technically the last by the band until 2013 when [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Geezer Butler]] returned for the album ''[[13 (Black Sabbath album)|13]]''. The album sold 21,000 copies in the US in its first week and as of 2013, ''Forbidden'' has sold 191,000 copies in the US.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?H=Black-Sabbath-set-for-major-US-debut&nItemID=67226 | title = Black Sabbath set for major US debut | access-date = 30 August 2013 | date = 18 June 2013 | publisher = Music-News.com}}</ref>
⚫
The album received a generally negative response from critics and fans alike. After its release, the band underwent several line-up changes and found itself at a career crossroads. However, original Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne would reconcile with guitarist [[Tony Iommi]] not long afterwards.<ref name="AllMusicReview" />

⚫
The album received a generally negative response from critics and fans alike. After its release, the band underwent several line-up changes and found itself at a career crossroads. However, original Black Sabbath vocalist [[Ozzy Osbourne]] would reconcile with guitarist [[Tony Iommi]] not long afterwards.<ref name="AllMusicReview" /> It was re-released with a totally new remix in 2024 as part of the ''[[Anno Domini 1989–1995]]'' box set, and then later on as an individual release.


==Background and recording==
==Background and recording==
''Forbidden'' followed lineup changes in the band: Geezer Butler was replaced by Neil Murray and Cozy Powell returned in the immediate aftermath of 1994's ''Cross Purposes'' tour. Writing and rehearsals took place at Bluestone Farm in Wales, ahead of recording at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, in December 1994. According to a July 1995 interview by Tony Iommi for the [[Boston]] radio station [[WBCN (FM)|WBCN]], the album took ten days to record. It was launched in June 1995.<ref name="bls2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.black-sabbath.com/2015/06/happy-birthday-forbidden/|title=Happy Birthday Forbidden! – Black Sabbath Online|website=Black-sabbath.com|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>
''Forbidden'' followed lineup changes in the band: Geezer Butler was replaced by Neil Murray and Cozy Powell returned in the immediate aftermath of 1994's ''Cross Purposes'' tour. Writing and rehearsals took place at Bluestone Farm in Wales, ahead of recording at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, in December 1994. According to a July 1995 interview by Tony Iommi for the [[Boston]] radio station [[WBCN (FM)|WBCN]], the album took ten days to record. It was launched in June 1995.<ref name="bls2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.black-sabbath.com/2015/06/happy-birthday-forbidden/|title=Happy Birthday Forbidden! – Black Sabbath Online|website=Black-sabbath.com|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-date=11 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511095028/https://www.black-sabbath.com/2015/06/happy-birthday-forbidden/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Musically, the release draws on traditional [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[power metal]] and influences from [[blues]]. [[Ernie C]] of the [[rap metal]] band [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]] produced, recorded and mixed the album.<ref name="AllMusicReview" /> The opening track, "The Illusion of Power", features Body Count member [[Ice-T]]<ref name="AllMusicReview" /> delivering a spoken word part during the bridge.
Musically, the release draws on traditional [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and influences from [[blues]]. [[Ernie C]] of the [[rap metal]] band [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]] produced, recorded and mixed the album.<ref name="AllMusicReview" /> The opening track, "The Illusion of Power", features Body Count member [[Ice-T]]<ref name="AllMusicReview" /> delivering a spoken word part during the bridge.


"We were pushed into a corner," explained [[Tony Iommi]]. "Somebody at the record company suggested we work with Ice-T. My reaction was, 'Who the hell is he?' But we met up and he was a nice bloke, and also a big fan of Sabbath. Ernie C ended up producing ''Forbidden'', which was a terrible mistake. Ernie tried to get Cozy Powell to play these [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]-style drum parts, which quite rightly offended him. You don't tell Cozy Powell how to play drums."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Ling|title=The gospel according to Tony Iommi|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=January 2018|issue=244|page=50}}</ref>
"We were pushed into a corner," explained [[Tony Iommi]]. "Somebody at the record company suggested we work with Ice-T. My reaction was, 'Who the hell is he?' But we met up and he was a nice bloke, and also a big fan of Sabbath. Ernie C ended up producing ''Forbidden'', which was a terrible mistake. Ernie tried to get Cozy Powell to play these [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]-style drum parts, which quite rightly offended him. You don't tell Cozy Powell how to play drums."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Ling|title=The gospel according to Tony Iommi|magazine=[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]|date=January 2018|issue=244|page=50}}</ref>


==Reception and legacy==
==Reception and legacy==
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusicReview">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/forbidden-mw0000172344|title=Forbidden - Black Sabbath {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|last=Torreano|first=Bradley|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=21 April 2019}}</ref>
| rev1Score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusicReview">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/forbidden-mw0000172344|title=Forbidden - Black Sabbath {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|last=Torreano|first=Bradley|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=21 April 2019}}</ref>
Line 46: Line 48:


Guitarist [[Tony Iommi]] has admitted to Sabbath fanzine ''Southern Cross'' that he was "not happy" with ''Forbidden''. He elaborated by saying, "We brought in Ernie C to do production, which was a bit difficult really, because I had to leave him to it… One of the problems was we weren't all there at the same time, when we were writing it. Cozy and Neil were still contracted to do other stuff, so it ended up with just Tony Martin, [[Geoff Nicholls]] and myself just jamming around and putting ideas down. It all came together very quickly and we didn't have time to reflect: make sure it was the right songs and the right way of doing it."<ref>''Southern Cross'' No.19, March 1997</ref> Iommi reiterated his dissatisfaction with the album to the ''[[Birmingham Mail]]'' newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.readability.com/index.html|title=Readability|website=Readability.com|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>
Guitarist [[Tony Iommi]] has admitted to Sabbath fanzine ''Southern Cross'' that he was "not happy" with ''Forbidden''. He elaborated by saying, "We brought in Ernie C to do production, which was a bit difficult really, because I had to leave him to it… One of the problems was we weren't all there at the same time, when we were writing it. Cozy and Neil were still contracted to do other stuff, so it ended up with just Tony Martin, [[Geoff Nicholls]] and myself just jamming around and putting ideas down. It all came together very quickly and we didn't have time to reflect: make sure it was the right songs and the right way of doing it."<ref>''Southern Cross'' No.19, March 1997</ref> Iommi reiterated his dissatisfaction with the album to the ''[[Birmingham Mail]]'' newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.readability.com/index.html|title=Readability|website=Readability.com|access-date=30 May 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, Ernie C defended his production in ''Forbidden,'' saying it was a "cool and fun experience." It was his goal to "dry" the band's sound up a little bit and make it "more personal," meaning to amplify the music so it did not sound like "you're playing in a tunnel." He recalled that Iommi approached both him and Ice-T in England to record their new album after listening to a demo of "War Pigs" that Body Count had made. It was also Ernie's idea to get Ice-T to rap in "The Illusion of Power."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blabbermouth |title=ERNIE C Defends His Production On BLACK SABBATH's 'Forbidden' Album: I Wanted 'To Dry The Sound Up A Little Bit' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/ernie-c-defends-his-production-on-black-sabbaths-forbidden-album-i-wanted-to-dry-the-sound-up-a-little-bit |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=20 August 2024}}</ref>


==Remix==
==Remix==
[[File:Forbidden remix cover.jpeg|thumb|right|Forbidden 2024 remix album cover.]]
⚫
On 4 March 2016, Iommi discussed future re-releases of the&nbsp;Tony Martin-era catalogue. He explained: "We've held back on the reissues of those albums because of the current Sabbath thing with Ozzy Osbourne, but they will certainly be happening... I'd like to do a couple of new tracks for those releases with Tony Martin... I'll also be looking at working on&nbsp;''Cross Purposes''&nbsp;and&nbsp;''Forbidden''."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/tony-iommi-hopes-write-tony-martin-black-sabbath-album-reissues/?trackback=tsmclip |title=Tony Iommi Wants to Write With Tony Martin |website=Loudwire.com |access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref>&nbsp;In 2019, Iommi said he was working on a remix of ''Forbidden'' "on and off" with [[Mike Exeter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tony-iommi-says-remixing-forbidden-is-opportunity-to-make-it-more-what-people-would-expect-black-sabbath-to-sound-like/ |title=TONY IOMMI Says Remixing 'Forbidden' Is 'Opportunity To Make It More What People Would Expect BLACK SABBATH To Sound Like' |website=blabbermouth.net |date=10 February 2019 |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>&nbsp;

⚫
On 4 March 2016, Iommi discussed future re-releases of the&nbsp;Tony Martin-era catalogue. He explained: "We've held back on the reissues of those albums because of the current Sabbath thing with Ozzy Osbourne, but they will certainly be happening... I'd like to do a couple of new tracks for those releases with Tony Martin... I'll also be looking at working on&nbsp;''Cross Purposes''&nbsp;and&nbsp;''Forbidden''."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/tony-iommi-hopes-write-tony-martin-black-sabbath-album-reissues/?trackback=tsmclip |title=Tony Iommi Wants to Write With Tony Martin |website=Loudwire.com |access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref>&nbsp;In 2019, Iommi said he was working on a remix of ''Forbidden'' "on and off" with [[Mike Exeter]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tony-iommi-says-remixing-forbidden-is-opportunity-to-make-it-more-what-people-would-expect-black-sabbath-to-sound-like/ |title=TONY IOMMI Says Remixing 'Forbidden' Is 'Opportunity To Make It More What People Would Expect BLACK SABBATH To Sound Like' |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=10 February 2019 |access-date=5 August 2020}}</ref>&nbsp;


On 14 May 2020, during an interview with [[Eddie Trunk]], Iommi revealed that the remix of the album was complete and he was just waiting for "the right time" to re-release the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_gocQD1ZbI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6_gocQD1ZbI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=TONY IOMMI TALKS ABOUT HIS CURRENT PROJECTS, FORBIDDEN REMASTERED, IAN GILLAN, GLEN HUGHES & MORE |publisher=BACKSTAGE PASS Rock News |website=YouTube |access-date=5 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On 14 May 2020, during an interview with [[Eddie Trunk]], Iommi revealed that the remix of the album was complete and he was just waiting for "the right time" to re-release the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_gocQD1ZbI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/6_gocQD1ZbI |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=TONY IOMMI TALKS ABOUT HIS CURRENT PROJECTS, FORBIDDEN REMASTERED, IAN GILLAN, GLEN HUGHES & MORE |publisher=BACKSTAGE PASS Rock News |website=YouTube |access-date=5 August 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In January 2024 Tony Iommi confirmed that a box set of the Tony Martin albums is coming out in May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-01 |title=TONY IOMMI Says That Box Set Of TONY MARTIN-Era BLACK SABBATH Albums Will Finally Arrive In May |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/tony-iommi-says-that-box-set-of-tony-martin-era-black-sabbath-albums-will-finally-arrive-in-may |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}</ref>

On 22 March 2024, the box set ''[[Anno Domini 1989–1995]]'' was announced, collecting the four albums recorded with Tony Martin released under IRS Records. The box set, which was released on 31 May 2024, contains a full remix of ''Forbidden'' by Tony Iommi. Additionally, the CD edition of the album includes the Japanese bonus track "Loser Gets It All'".<ref>{{cite web |title=BLACK SABBATH: Box Set Of TONY MARTIN-Era Recordings, 'Anno Domini 1989-1995', To Arrive In May |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbath-box-set-of-tony-martin-era-recordings-anno-domini-1989-1995-to-arrive-in-may |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=22 March 2024 |language=en |date=21 March 2024}}</ref> The bonus track is also included on the individual CD version of the remixed album, released on November 15th, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2024-10-25 |title=Black Sabbath's Tony Martin Albums Set For Remastered/Re-Mixed Vinyl & CD Reissues |url=https://www.theprp.com/2024/10/25/news/black-sabbaths-tony-martin-albums-set-for-remastered-re-mixed-vinyl-cd-reissues/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Standard Edition
| headline = Standard Edition
| all_lyrics = [[Tony Martin (British singer)|Tony Martin]], except "The Illusion of Power" by Martin and [[Ice-T]]
| all_lyrics = [[Tony Martin (British singer)|Tony Martin]], except "The Illusion of Power" by Martin and [[Ice-T]]
Line 80: Line 90:
}}
}}
{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese Edition Bonus Track
| headline = Japanese Edition / 2024 Remix Bonus Track
| title11 = Loser Gets It All
| title11 = Loser Gets It All
| length11 = 2:55
| length11 = 2:55
Line 87: Line 97:
==Personnel==
==Personnel==
'''Black Sabbath'''
'''Black Sabbath'''
*[[Tony Iommi]] – guitars
*[[Tony Iommi]] – guitar
*[[Tony Martin (British singer)|Tony Martin]] – vocals
*[[Tony Martin (British singer)|Tony Martin]] – vocals
*[[Cozy Powell]] – drums
*[[Cozy Powell]] – drums
*[[Neil Murray (British musician)|Neil Murray]] – bass
*[[Neil Murray (British musician)|Neil Murray]] – bass
⚫
*[[Geoff Nicholls]] – keyboards


'''Additional musicians'''
'''Additional musicians'''
⚫
*[[Geoff Nicholls]] – keyboards
*[[Ice-T]] – additional vocals on "The Illusion of Power"
*[[Ice-T]] – additional vocals on "The Illusion of Power"


Line 101: Line 111:
*Andrea Wright, Phill Luff – assistant engineers
*Andrea Wright, Phill Luff – assistant engineers
*Geoff Pesche – mastering at [[Townhouse Studios]], London
*Geoff Pesche – mastering at [[Townhouse Studios]], London

'''2024 Remix'''
*[[Tony Iommi]] – New remix
*[[Mike Exeter]] – Remix Engineer


==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 108: Line 122:
! Peak<br/>position
! Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|40|artist=Black Sabbath|album= Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Austria|40|artist=Black Sabbath|album= Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|86|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Netherlands|86|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | language= fi}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book|last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|edition=1st|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|year=2006|isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 | language= fi}}</ref>
| align="center"| 12
| align="center"| 12
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Germany4|35|artist=Black Sabbath|album= Forbidden|id=2105|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Germany4|35|artist=Black Sabbath|album= Forbidden|id=2105|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005|publisher=[[Oricon|Oricon Entertainment]]|location=Roppongi, Tokyo|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9|language=ja}}</ref>
| align="center"| 45
| align="center"| 45
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Sweden|19|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|Sweden|19|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|-
{{Album chart|Switzerland|48|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|-
|-
{{Album chart|Switzerland|48|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|UK2|71|date=19950611|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|-
|-
{{Album chart|UK|71|artist=Black Sabbath|album=Forbidden|refname=UK albums|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 April 2018}}
{{Album chart|UKRock|6|date=19950611|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 30, 2023}}
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 05:17, 18 December 2024

This article is about the album. For the band, see Forbidden (band).

Forbidden
Cover art by Paul Sample
Studio album by
Black Sabbath
Released5 June 1995 (1995-06-05)[1][2]
Recorded4 December 1994 – March 1995[3]
Studio
GenreHeavy metal
Length44:10
LabelI.R.S.
ProducerErnie C
Black Sabbath chronology
Cross Purposes
(1994) 		Forbidden
(1995) 		13
(2013)

Forbidden is the eighteenth studio album by English rock band Black Sabbath, released on 5 June 1995. This recording saw the reunion of Black Sabbath's Tyr-era line-up from 1990, with the return of Neil Murray and Cozy Powell. It was the last album to feature Tony Martin on vocals and Geoff Nicholls on keyboards, and technically the last by the band until 2013 when Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler returned for the album 13. The album sold 21,000 copies in the US in its first week and as of 2013, Forbidden has sold 191,000 copies in the US.[4]

The album received a generally negative response from critics and fans alike. After its release, the band underwent several line-up changes and found itself at a career crossroads. However, original Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne would reconcile with guitarist Tony Iommi not long afterwards.[5] It was re-released with a totally new remix in 2024 as part of the Anno Domini 1989–1995 box set, and then later on as an individual release.

Background and recording

[edit]

Forbidden followed lineup changes in the band: Geezer Butler was replaced by Neil Murray and Cozy Powell returned in the immediate aftermath of 1994's Cross Purposes tour. Writing and rehearsals took place at Bluestone Farm in Wales, ahead of recording at Parr Street Studios, Liverpool, in December 1994. According to a July 1995 interview by Tony Iommi for the Boston radio station WBCN, the album took ten days to record. It was launched in June 1995.[6]

Musically, the release draws on traditional heavy metal and influences from blues. Ernie C of the rap metal band Body Count produced, recorded and mixed the album.[5] The opening track, "The Illusion of Power", features Body Count member Ice-T[5] delivering a spoken word part during the bridge.

"We were pushed into a corner," explained Tony Iommi. "Somebody at the record company suggested we work with Ice-T. My reaction was, 'Who the hell is he?' But we met up and he was a nice bloke, and also a big fan of Sabbath. Ernie C ended up producing Forbidden, which was a terrible mistake. Ernie tried to get Cozy Powell to play these hip-hop-style drum parts, which quite rightly offended him. You don't tell Cozy Powell how to play drums."[7]

Reception and legacy

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[8]

Forbidden was panned by critics upon its release. AllMusic's Bradley Torreano gave the album only one and a half stars, remarking that "with boring songs, awful production, and uninspired performances, this is easily avoidable for all but the most enthusiastic fan". He also stated that he considered it a "sad state of affairs" given the band's long history.[5] Blender magazine called Forbidden "an embarrassment ... the band's worst album".[9]

Band members have since spoken about their mixed opinions of the album. Vocalist Tony Martin made known his feelings in an interview in July 2011, during which he stated: "Well, Forbidden is... I want to say 'crap', but it's actually not". He added that he thought the songs worked in rehearsals, but other factors, such as rumours of a reunion of the original Black Sabbath line-up and the record company wanting to "take [the album] and see what Ice-T wanted to do", gave the album a "distinct ill feeling". Martin also maintained that he never believed a "Run-D.M.C. type"/"Rap Sabbath" album would work.[10] Rob Zombie gave some lighter praise at the launch, stating "There is one easy way to figure out the lasting power of Black Sabbath. There's always certain bands that get a great reaction and Black Sabbath is always one of them."[6] In regards to the subsequent original line-up reunion, Martin has also said Forbidden was a "filler album that got the band out of the label deal, rid of the singer, and into the reunion", but remarked that he "wasn't privy to that information at the time".[11]

Guitarist Tony Iommi has admitted to Sabbath fanzine Southern Cross that he was "not happy" with Forbidden. He elaborated by saying, "We brought in Ernie C to do production, which was a bit difficult really, because I had to leave him to it… One of the problems was we weren't all there at the same time, when we were writing it. Cozy and Neil were still contracted to do other stuff, so it ended up with just Tony Martin, Geoff Nicholls and myself just jamming around and putting ideas down. It all came together very quickly and we didn't have time to reflect: make sure it was the right songs and the right way of doing it."[12] Iommi reiterated his dissatisfaction with the album to the Birmingham Mail newspaper.[13]

In 2019, Ernie C defended his production in Forbidden, saying it was a "cool and fun experience." It was his goal to "dry" the band's sound up a little bit and make it "more personal," meaning to amplify the music so it did not sound like "you're playing in a tunnel." He recalled that Iommi approached both him and Ice-T in England to record their new album after listening to a demo of "War Pigs" that Body Count had made. It was also Ernie's idea to get Ice-T to rap in "The Illusion of Power."[14]

Remix

[edit]
Forbidden 2024 remix album cover.

On 4 March 2016, Iommi discussed future re-releases of the Tony Martin-era catalogue. He explained: "We've held back on the reissues of those albums because of the current Sabbath thing with Ozzy Osbourne, but they will certainly be happening... I'd like to do a couple of new tracks for those releases with Tony Martin... I'll also be looking at working on Cross Purposes and Forbidden."[15] In 2019, Iommi said he was working on a remix of Forbidden "on and off" with Mike Exeter.[16] 

On 14 May 2020, during an interview with Eddie Trunk, Iommi revealed that the remix of the album was complete and he was just waiting for "the right time" to re-release the album.[17]

In January 2024 Tony Iommi confirmed that a box set of the Tony Martin albums is coming out in May 2024.[18]

On 22 March 2024, the box set Anno Domini 1989–1995 was announced, collecting the four albums recorded with Tony Martin released under IRS Records. The box set, which was released on 31 May 2024, contains a full remix of Forbidden by Tony Iommi. Additionally, the CD edition of the album includes the Japanese bonus track "Loser Gets It All'".[19] The bonus track is also included on the individual CD version of the remixed album, released on November 15th, 2024.[20]

Track listing

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All lyrics are written by Tony Martin, except "The Illusion of Power" by Martin and Ice-T; all music is composed by Black Sabbath

Standard Edition
No.TitleLength
1."The Illusion of Power" (featuring Ice-T)4:51
2."Get a Grip"3:58
3."Can't Get Close Enough"4:27
4."Shaking Off the Chains"4:02
5."I Won't Cry for You"4:47
6."Guilty as Hell"3:27
7."Sick and Tired"3:29
8."Rusty Angels"5:00
9."Forbidden"3:47
10."Kiss of Death"6:06
Japanese Edition / 2024 Remix Bonus Track
No.TitleLength
11."Loser Gets It All"2:55

Personnel

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Black Sabbath

Additional musicians

Production

2024 Remix

Charts

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Chart (1995) Peak
position
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[21] 40
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[22] 86
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[23] 12
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[24] 35
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[25] 45
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[26] 19
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] 48
UK Albums (OCC)[28] 71
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[29] 6

References

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  1. ^ "New Releases" (PDF). Music Week. 3 June 1995. p. 34. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  2. ^ Forbidden (press advertisement). I.R.S. Records. 1995. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Forbidden at 25 – Black Sabbath Online". Black-sabbath.com.
  4. ^ "Black Sabbath set for major US debut". Music-News.com. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d e Torreano, Bradley. "Forbidden - Black Sabbath | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Happy Birthday Forbidden! – Black Sabbath Online". Black-sabbath.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  7. ^ Ling, Dave (January 2018). "The gospel according to Tony Iommi". Classic Rock. No. 244. p. 50.
  8. ^ "Black Sabbath: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  9. ^ Mitchell, Ben. "Blender Forbidden review". Blender.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2008. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
  10. ^ Hodgson, Peter. "The Gibson Interview: Black Sabbath's Tony Martin". Gibson.com. Gibson. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Tony Martin.net Q&A". TonyMartin.net. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
  12. ^ Southern Cross No.19, March 1997
  13. ^ "Readability". Readability.com. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  14. ^ Blabbermouth. "ERNIE C Defends His Production On BLACK SABBATH's 'Forbidden' Album: I Wanted 'To Dry The Sound Up A Little Bit'". Blabbermouth. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Tony Iommi Wants to Write With Tony Martin". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  16. ^ "TONY IOMMI Says Remixing 'Forbidden' Is 'Opportunity To Make It More What People Would Expect BLACK SABBATH To Sound Like'". Blabbermouth.net. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  17. ^ "TONY IOMMI TALKS ABOUT HIS CURRENT PROJECTS, FORBIDDEN REMASTERED, IAN GILLAN, GLEN HUGHES & MORE". YouTube. BACKSTAGE PASS Rock News. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  18. ^ "TONY IOMMI Says That Box Set Of TONY MARTIN-Era BLACK SABBATH Albums Will Finally Arrive In May". Blabbermouth.net. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  19. ^ "BLACK SABBATH: Box Set Of TONY MARTIN-Era Recordings, 'Anno Domini 1989-1995', To Arrive In May". Blabbermouth.net. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  20. ^ wookubus (25 October 2024). "Black Sabbath's Tony Martin Albums Set For Remastered/Re-Mixed Vinyl & CD Reissues". Theprp.com. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Black Sabbath – Forbidden" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  22. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Black Sabbath – Forbidden" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  23. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  24. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Black Sabbath – Forbidden" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  25. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  26. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Black Sabbath – Forbidden". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  27. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Black Sabbath – Forbidden". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  28. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
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