Review by Brian McLean
The quality standard for metalcore bands has been raised to a new level with the release of Gone Forever, the latest album from New Jersey's own God Forbid.
With the release of Gone Forever through Century Media Records, God Forbid has unified and brought together the gaps between thrash, hardcore, and traditional metal and have polished it up with outstanding production.
It's been nearly three years since the band put out a full length release, but for those fans that were impatient the wait was well worth it.
The song writing for God Forbid has matured ten fold. There's plenty of metal and melody, heart and soul and pure passion all over. For the core kids who don't appreciate melody, don't worry, there's still plenty of aggression on the disc.
There are nine solid tracks with two cuts that specifically stand out, “Precious Lie” and “Washed-Out World,” which fall in the middle of the disc, the meat of Gone Forever.
The opening track, “Force Fed,” which could be a great show opener sets the tone. It is followed by “Antihero” and lets the listeners know this isn't going to be the nonstop brutal pounding of God Forbid as in their last full release Determination.
There's heaviness all over this disc, but then there's the tempo changes adding that special touch as in “Living Nightmare.” The heavier “Soul Engraved” fades out with some nice guitar work followed by the title track, “Gone Forever” and “Judge the Blood” which has a nice introduction and wraps up the disc.
There's keyboards, underlying vocals supporting Byron Davis' aggressive vocal assault, and higher end harmonies as on “Better Days” which was featured on the Better Days EP released several months prior giving the God Forbid fans something to chew on.
For the dual guitar attack and dual leads of brothers Dallas and Doc Coyle, there's no need for speed on the fret board, just the feeling and it's all over the disc. Lending the important supporting roles of rhythm would be John Outcalt on bass and drummer Corey Pierce.
God Forbid has taken their career to the next level. They aren't just a metal band anymore; they are a metal band that can write great songs and are not aren't afraid of the taboo words melodic guitar riffs. There are nine songs on Gone Forever that give proof to the fact.
God Bless God Forbid for they have planted and produced the forbidden fruit of the metalcore scene. For this, they will reap the benefits. Respect.