Forbidden
Black Sabbath · 1995
44 min · 10 tracks · hard rock
A turbulent blend of heavy riffs and haunting melodies, infused with a sense of desperation and reflection.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Illusion of Power Start here — This opening track showcases the band's experimental approach, blending heavy metal with hip-hop elements through Ice-T's unique vocal delivery, reflecting a bold attempt at reinvention during a challenging era.
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Can't Get Close Enough — The song combines classic Black Sabbath heaviness with a more modern rock sensibility, illustrating the band's struggle to balance their roots with contemporary influences.
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I Won't Cry for You — This track highlights poignant lyrics and melodic guitar work, demonstrating the emotional depth that characterizes much of the album despite its mixed reception.
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Kiss of Death — Closing the album, this track encapsulates themes of mortality and doom through powerful riffs and reflective lyrics, serving as a fitting farewell to an era.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo progression
- darker introspective themes
- gritty atmospheric soundscapes
- thoughtful listening for reflection
- engaging narrative throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer upbeat party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Features a departure from traditional heavy metal, alienating some long-time fans.
- Themes
- guilt and redemption· mid-'90s metal landscape· crossover experimentation
- Career context
- Released in 1995, 'Forbidden' is Black Sabbath's thirteenth studio album and marks the final collaboration between the original lineup before their brief reunion. At this stage, the band faced declining commercial success compared to their earlier releases while navigating changes in musical trends and identity amidst a grunge-heavy landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Candlemass· Electric Wizard· Pentagram
Tracklist
- 1 The Illusion of Power Start here 4:54
- 2 Get a Grip 3:59
- 3 Can't Get Close Enough 4:28
- 4 Shaking Off the Chains 4:04
- 5 I Won't Cry for You 4:48
- 6 Guilty as Hell 3:28
- 7 Sick and Tired 3:31
- 8 Rusty Angels 5:00
- 9 Forbidden 3:49
- 10 Kiss of Death 6:09
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Draconian Times
Paradise Lost
Shares a similar blend of gothic atmosphere and introspective themes in a heavy metal context.
October Rust
Type O Negative
Combines dark lyrical themes with dense, atmospheric soundscapes, paralleling the emotional weight of 'Forbidden'.
The Angel and the Dark River
My Dying Bride
Explores themes of guilt and redemption through melancholic melodies and heavy riffs, akin to 'Forbidden'.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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