Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Bay Area thrash metal veterans Forbidden have parted ways with drummer Chris Kontos, who announced his immediate departure in a social media statement on November 4. The remaining members say they learned of his decision through the public post rather than a private notification.
Kontos, who joined the reunited band in 2023, cited disagreements over financial transparency and business decisions as reasons for his exit. His comments represent his account of the dispute; the specific concerns have not been independently established.
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. 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.
I am incredibly proud of the music we created together including the new album and videos. I have never worked harder on a project in my life. I put my heart and soul into every bit of the work. I’m truly grateful to the fans for nearly four years of incredible support.
I want to thank BLKIIBLK Records as well as everyone that helped the band over my time in Forbidden. This includes past band members, road crew, sound engineers, tour management, production companies and promoters. I’m very grateful and have a ton of appreciation and gratitude for you all. You know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I’m looking forward to what life has to offer moving forward. New opportunities and adventures.
I respectfully ask for privacy at this time and will have no further comment.
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.
The remaining members of Forbidden responded with their own public statement, saying they discovered Kontos’ exit at the same time as fans.
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.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Forbidden released their self-titled studio album on October 23 through BLKIIBLK Records. The record marked the band’s first full-length release since “Omega Wave” in 2010.
Kontos and Camacho had already been announced as unavailable for the current “Chaos By Design” US tour, with personal reasons cited in September. Avery Thurman and Eli Lucas were brought in as temporary replacements on drums and bass, respectively.
Forbidden are touring alongside Heathen and Void, with the run scheduled to conclude in Los Angeles on November 22. The group has not yet announced whether Kontos will receive a permanent replacement.
Craig Locicero stated in this newly posted video on social media:
I’m here in Worcester, Massachusetts right now, and we’re setting up for soundcheck. And I’m just, instead of answering any questions anybody has or getting involved in all the extracurricular opinions, I don’t really have one. I really don’t have one.
I love Chris Contos. I consider him a brother. And, you know, he had to do what he had to do, but we’re not going to get into any mudslinging because I don’t think that’s cool.
We’re out here fucking doing it, kicking ass, committed to bringing you the best fucking shows we can, playing songs we haven’t played in years. Like, we’re going for it out here. And Chris had other things going on, and I don’t know exactly what drove him to do what he did or say what he did. But I’ve loved that guy for a long fucking time.
So, yeah, I don’t know, man. But one thing I’ve learned over the years is to get involved in mudslinging and drama, you won’t see me doing it. I ain’t going to do it. I don’t think that that’s a healthy way to go, and there’s really nothing to it.
So, at the end of the day, at the end of the day, we’ll all be fine. Chris will be fine. Band’s doing great. He just cleared the spot for what we need to do next. I just didn’t think he was going to do that. So, but I really do wish him the best, and I love the man. And, yeah, that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
There you go.
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