Band:	God Forbid
Album:	Gone Forever
Style:	Metalcore, Melodic thrash metal
Release date:	February 23, 2004
Guest review by:	Passenger

01. Force-Fed
02. Antihero
03. Better Days
04. Precious Lie
05. Washed-Out World
06. Living Nightmare
07. Soul Engraved
08. Gone Forever
09. Judge The Blood
10. Allegiance [Japanese bonus]
11. Mind Eraser [Japanese bonus]

Since the talk around a New Wave Of American Metal started that several new bands came up and got more attention. Many say that this is a new group of bands with too high commercial purposes, something to replace the ultra-explored and progressively fading Nu Metal. Yet, that doesn't reflect, neither in the sound nor in attitude, the reality of this movement, mainly based on Thrash and Hardcore. It (the NWOAM) acquired a very characteristic and appealing extreme style, but far from any concern with popularity goals to achieve.

Leaving arguable interpretations aside, fact is some of this new bands have lots of talent and seem to be ready to rock and remain for as long as possible. This could well be the best introduction for God Forbid. What this American quintet offers us isn't far from the previously referred "formula". As if that wasn't enough to shine, they distinguish themselves from the rest for their great melodic sense when, for example, changing from the more usual screaming to cleaner vocals, but specially because they count on the Coyle brothers to add, in Arch Enemy mode, amazing leads to the powerful tracks.

"Gone Forever" starts with "Force-Fed", nice beginning, great riffs, mostly Hardcore vocals, one big solo and a smaller one, great track. "Antihero" is absolute killer. The riffs remain in the mind lots of time before listening to the song, the bigger solo makes me want to do some air guitar, the drums are very good and there are really some catchy lines. "Better Days" is faster, more Hardcore, but still great. "Precious Lie" is a complex song, starts with a quiet intro and suddenly changes to an aggressive sound. Quite a melancholic chorus, with clean vocals making most of it. "Washed-Out World" is simply amazing, energetic chorus, great tempo changes, intelligent vocalizations, brilliant guitar work. "Living Nightmare" is head banging from the first second to the last. Nice drums and, as usual, a great solo, probably the fastest and my favourite in this work. "Soul Enraged" really opens with rage, very Hardcore influenced, except for the chorus and ends with another pleasant solo. The song with the same name as the album, the eight in the album, is all about the riffs, with the duo of guitars combining perfectly. "Judge The Blood" has a great calm intro and Byron Davis does a great job with the vocals. Also has the longest solo of the album, another great one.

The lyric content is also very good and meaningful. This release is very solid, creative, addictive, full of energy and rage and well produced. Quality diversified modern Thrash Metal, certainly deserves everyone's attention.