In a shocking turn of events that has left fans utterly unsurprised, FORBIDDEN’s bassist Matt Camacho and drummer Chris Kontos will be sitting out the band’s fall 2026 U.S. tour with HEATHEN and VOID due to “personal reasons”. Because, you know, adults have adulting to do 🙄. The band’s guitarist Craig Locicero discussed this earth-shattering news in a recent interview with “Reckless” Rexx Ruger of Pod Scum, stating that Camacho and Kontos have “personal commitments that they have to handle as real adults in the real world” and that they will be temporarily replaced by Avery Thurman and Eli Lucas, respectively.
The Horror! The Shame! The… Meh 🤷♂️
Locicero seemed almost enthusiastic about the new additions to the band, saying “the guys we got are fucking phenomenal, and they’re younger and hungry — hungry, hungry — and great musicians.” One can only assume that the “hungry” part refers to their musical prowess and not their actual hunger, because, you know, that would be a real concern 🍔. He also mentioned that Thurman and Lucas have brought a new energy to the band, with Thurman being a 21-year-old “prodigy” (because, apparently, being a prodigy is only valid until you’re 21 🎸) and Lucas being a phenomenal drummer who was almost hired by FORBIDDEN back in 2011.
Now, one might ask, what about the fans? How will they cope with this devastating news? 🤕 Well, according to Locicero, fans are actually pretty understanding, with many of them respecting the fact that Camacho and Kontos have real-life issues to deal with. Because, you know, being an adult is hard, and sometimes you have to prioritize things like “personal commitments” over “playing music for a living” 🤷♂️.
The Tour Must Go On (And It Will, With Different People) 🎸
FORBIDDEN’s “Chaos By Design” U.S. tour with HEATHEN and VOID is still on track to launch on October 23 in Las Vegas and conclude on November 22 in Los Angeles, California. The band will also be releasing its new, self-titled album on October 23 via BLKIIBLK, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group. Because, you know, the show must go on, even if the people playing the show are different 🎭. Locicero seemed optimistic about the tour, stating that it will be “more aggressive and ambitious” than previous ones, but also acknowledged that the band can’t be everywhere at once and that fans need to be realistic about their expectations 🙅♂️.
In conclusion, the world is still spinning, and FORBIDDEN is still making music, even if it’s with a slightly different lineup 🌎. So, if you’re a fan of the band, you can still go see them live and enjoy their music, even if it’s not with the exact same people you’re used to 🎵. And who knows, you might even discover some new talent 🤩. The horror! The shame! The… meh 🤷♂️

Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
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