Bay Area thrash legends FORBIDDEN have officially joined forces with BLKIIBLK!
Melding classic thrash metal with melodic and progressive leanings, FORBIDDEN’s recent return to both the stage and studio is a rebirth for the Bay Area legends.
Joining founding guitarist Craig Locicero and bassist Matt Camacho are drummer Chris Kontos (formerly of Machine Head and Attitude Adjustment), guitarist Jeremy Von Epp and vocalist Norman Skinner (ex-Imagika and Niviane).
States the band: “When Forbidden was ‘reborn’ in 2023, we knew we were going to write new music. That excited us. We also knew that we were in no rush to be signed or obligated to anything that didn’t feel ideal. Well… that situation has finally revealed itself. We are elated to announce that Forbidden has joined forces with BLKIIBLK as one of their inaugural signings.”
Mumbai, India extreme metal force GUTSLIT return with their blistering new single “I, Berzerker”, marking the band’s first release since 2023’s Carnal and the beginning of a new chapter in their relentless evolution. Released independently, the track showcases a sharpened, ferocious sound that reaffirms GUTSLIT’s position as one of the most uncompromising bands in modern death metal.
“I, Berzerker” is a raw declaration of intent. Written as a defiant response to the notion of mellowing with age, the song captures GUTSLIT at their most primal and focused. Blistering riff work, punishing rhythms, and guttural vocals collide in a tightly constructed assault that balances precision with unrestrained aggression.
The track draws inspiration from the myth of the Berzerker, the warrior consumed by battle rage, and reinterprets it as a metaphor for creative freedom. Lyrically, the song explores instinct, release, and total immersion in the act of creation. Violence and fury become symbols of purpose, expression, and identity.
“I, Berzerker” also marks an important turning point for the band. Now operating as a five piece, GUTSLIT feature the dual guitar lineup of Ishwar Hariharan and Aditya Swaminathan, bringing a renewed melodic edge and dynamic interplay to the band’s signature brutality. The core foundation remains as vicious as ever, with Aditya Barve on vocals, Gurdip SinghNarang on bass, and Aaron Pinto on drums driving the chaos forward.
Produced by GUTSLIT, the single was recorded across Gray Spark Studio for drums and Altar Studio for guitars and bass. Engineering was handled by Saurabh Lodha, with vocals engineered by Ashwin Shriyan. Mixing and mastering were completed by Mendel Bij de Liej of EX-ABORTED, delivering a crushing yet refined sonic impact. The single artwork was created by drummer Aaron Pinto, under his visual alias Kidsquidy.
About GUTSLIT:
Formed in Mumbai, India in 2007, GUTSLIT is one of the country’s most formidable extreme metal exports. With a history spanning nearly two decades, the band blend brutal death metal and grindcore with elements of thrash and punk, delivering a sound defined by precision, intensity, and relentless aggression.
GUTSLIT have toured and performed across 25 countries worldwide, appearing at major festivals including Obscene Extreme, Brutal Assault, PartySan, Summer Breeze, and Deathfeast Open Air, and sharing stages with bands such as DYING FETUS, NILE, BENIGHTED, and ABORTED. Known for their ferocious live performances and global ambition, GUTSLIT continue to push modern death metal forward without compromise.
We are very happy to announce that we will be hitting the road with our friends in Hunt The Dinosaur & Mantra Of Morta in March to celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of our “Poison Words” album!!! We will be playing a special set list that includes songs that have never been played live!!!
3.13 – Akron, OH @ Afterlife Nightclub 3.14 – Toledo, OH @ Frankie’s 3.15 – West Chicago, IL @ The W.C. Social Club 3.16 – Iowa City, IA @ Wildwood Saloon 3.17 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Bigs Bar 3.18 – Denver, CO @ The Roxy Theatre 3.19 – Casper, WY @ Oil City Beer Company 3.20 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater 3.21 – Las Vegas, NV @ Vegas UnAlive w/Decrepit Birth 3.22 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rhythm Room 3.23 – Shiprock, NM @ The MOD 3.24 – Tulsa, OK @ The Whittier Bar 3.25 – Kansas City, MO @ Sk8bar 3.26 – Nashville, TN @ Cobra 3.27 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s 3.28 – Columbus, OH @ (ANNOUNCING SOON) *
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