God Forbid is an American heavy metal band formed in East Brunswick, New Jersey in 1996.

History

Early career (1999-2004)

Building up a following in the late 1990s by touring with bands such as GWAR, Nile,

Cradle of Filth Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved originally from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic metal and other metal genres. Their ly ...

and Candiria, God Forbid's first full album '' Reject the Sickness'' was released by 9volt Industries in 1999. This album received heavy rotation from

WSOU-FM WSOU (89.5 FM) is a non-commercial, college radio station. The station broadcasts from the campus of Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey. It is a student-run station with university administrator Mark Maben serving as its curren ...

in the New York City area and the band was subsequently signed to

Century Media Records Century Media Records is a heavy metal record label with offices in the United States, Germany and London. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million. Background Century Media was founded by Robert Kampf and Oli ...

, releasing the album ''

Determination Determination is a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles.Kirby, L.D., Morrow, J., & Yih, J. (2014). The challenge of challenge: Pursuing determination as an emotion. In M. M. Tugade, ...

'' in 2001. They played on the

MTV2 MTV2 (formerly M2) is an American pay television Cable television, channel owned by the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. The channel launched initially as an all-music video service, once the original MTV had started to sh ...

Headbangers Ball ''Headbangers Ball'' is a music television program that consisted of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV and its global affiliates. The show began on MTV on April 18, 1987, playing heavy metal music videos from both well-known and more obs ...

'' tour with Shadows Fall and

Lamb of God Lamb of God ( el, Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Amnòs toû Theoû; la, Agnus Dei, ) is a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God wh ...

Breakthrough (2004-2013)

In 2004, they released ''

Gone Forever ''Gone Forever'' is the third full-length studio album by American heavy metal band God Forbid. Jeff Loomis of Nevermore contributes the solo on track 7, "Soul Engraved". Track 2, "Antihero", was used in a sampler track hidden in Shadows Fall' ...

'', which, along with a slot on Ozzfest's second-stage, increased their profile considerably. The next year, they released '' IV: Constitution of Treason'', a concept album about the end of the world. It was their first album to enter the ''Billboard'' 200, debuting at number 118. In 2005 and 2006, they supported Trivium on their UK tour along with

Mendeed Mendeed was a Scottish heavy metal band formed in Dumbarton, in 2000 and disbanded in 2007. History The band's members met at school in Dumbarton. In 2002 they self-released their first EP '' Killing Something Beautiful''. In 2003 the band r ...

and Bloodsimple. In late 2006 and early 2007, they headlined the Chains of Humanity tour. In 2007, God Forbid's "To the Fallen Hero" won the Independent Music Award for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Song. They released a DVD on June 10, 2008, and their fifth studio album, '' Earthsblood'', was released on February 24, 2009, and landed at number 110 on the ''Billboard'' 200. God Forbid toured across the United States and Canada in the No Fear Energy Music Tour featuring

and others in April. In March 2009, Dallas Coyle left the band. His replacement for the upcoming tour was named as former Darkest Hour guitarist

Kris Norris Kris Norris is the former lead guitarist for the heavy metal bands Scar the Martyr, Darkest Hour and the Canadian metalcore band Threat Signal. He is also known for his stints as touring guitarist for God Forbid and Straight Line Stitch. Kris ...

. He was later replaced by Matt Wicklund. In July 2009, God Forbid participated in the Rockstar Mayhem Festival along with Trivium, Bullet for My Valentine,

Cannibal Corpse Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York in 1988, now based out of Tampa, Florida. The band has released fifteen studio albums, two box sets, four video albums, and two live albums. The band has had little radi ...

, All That Remains,

Slayer Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...

Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), known professionally as Marilyn Manson, is an American rock musician. He came to prominence as the lead singer of the band which shares his name, of which he remains the only constant member since it ...

and many others. In April 2010, the band issued an update that they started work on a new album. The new album is titled '' Equilibrium'' and was released on March 26, 2012. From July 13 to August 28, 2012, God Forbid took part in Metal Hammer's "

Trespass America Festival Five Finger Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2005. The band originally consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Moody, rhythm guitarist Zoltan Bathory, lead g ...

" headlined by Five Finger Death Punch with additional support from Battlecross, Emmure, Pop Evil, Trivium and Killswitch Engage. In late 2012, the band co-headlined the ''Party To The Apocalypse 2012'' tour with Shadows Fall starring Thy Will Be Done and Trumpet The Harlot.

Breakup (2013-2022)

On August 16, 2013, Doc Coyle posted on his personal website that he has chosen to leave God Forbid. Following this, Corey Pierce had said that the band is no more by a post on hi
Facebook page
"''No more suspense, God Forbid is over. Sorry". ''Right after this, Byron Davis had posted on hi
Facebook page
"''It's Friday and my boy is home doing well and yes it's true GF is down. We are a family for the most part some move on while others keep it real like before the band began. I should feel sad but I don't right now because a new chapter has begun. I'll be seeing you all around somewhere. Believe that. Uncle Corey J needs some drums I have a guitar too for him. Blabbering".'' During the hiatus, Doc Coyle joined Bad Wolves.

Reunion (2022-)

On March 14, 2022, the band announced they would be reuniting for the 2022 Blue Ridge Rock Festival in September, making it the first time in nine years the band will perform. Four months later, it was announced former As I Lay Dying guitarist Nick Hipa would be performing with the band for their reunion show.

Musical Style

God Forbid have been described as melodic death metal,

death metal Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...

metalcore Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...

, thrash metal, and as key-players in the new wave of American heavy metal.

Band members

Current members

* Doc Coyle — lead guitar, backing vocals (1996–2013, 2022–present) * Corey Pierce —

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

(1996–2013, 2022–present) * Byron Davis —

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

(1997–2013, 2022–present) * John "Beeker" Outcalt —

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

(1997–2013, 2022–present)

Current touring members

* Nick Hipa —

rhythm guitar In music performances, rhythm guitar is a technique and role that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with other instruments from the rhythm section (e.g., drum kit, bass guitar ...

(2022–present)

Former members

* Dallas Coyle — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1996–2009) * Matt Wicklund — rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2009–2013)

Touring

— rhythm guitar (2009)

Discography

Studio albums

*'' Reject the Sickness'' (1999) *''

'' (2001) *''

'' (2004) *'' IV: Constitution of Treason'' (2005) *'' Earthsblood'' (2009) *'' Equilibrium'' (2012)

EPs

*''Out of Misery'' (1998) *'' Better Days'' (2003)

Singles

*"To the Fallen Hero" (2006, strictly limited tour single)

Compilation albums

*''Bring You to Your Knees...Guns N' Roses'' (2004) *''

Sickness and Misery ''Sickness and Misery'' is an album by God Forbid. It is a combination of their first album, ''Reject the Sickness'', and their first Extended Play, EP, ''Out of Misery''. Track listing Personnel

* Byron Davis – lead vocals * Doc Coyle � ...

'' (2007)

Videos

*''Beneath the Scars of Glory and Progression'' (2008, DVD)

References

External links

* * {{Authority control 1996 establishments in New Jersey African-American heavy metal musical groups American melodic death metal musical groups Metalcore musical groups from New Jersey American thrash metal musical groups Century Media Records artists Heavy metal musical groups from New Jersey Independent Music Awards winners Musical groups established in 1996 Musical groups disestablished in 2013 Musical quintets Sibling musical groups Victory Records artists Musical groups reestablished in 2022