Forbidden is rarely named as one of the biggest names in thrash. Part of the problem may be that the relatively late arrival of the band’s fine debut album ‘Forbidden Evil’ made them less influential than some of their peers. Or maybe their music was just too complex for a larger audience. Whatever the reason, Forbidden deserves much more praise than they get. The band made relatively progressive thrash metal at a time when Heathen was pretty much the only American band that even came close to them in terms of complexity. Sophomore album ‘Twisted Into Form’ is the best example of this approach.

Prior to ‘Twisted Into Form’, Forbidden switched lead guitarists. Glen Alvelais’ insane lead guitar was part of the allure of ‘Forbidden Evil’, but ‘Twisted Into Form’ immediately proves that his replacement Tim Calvert is more on the same page with the rest of the band. Not only does he have a songwriting credit for almost every song on the album, Calvert and Craig Locicero are the perfect rhythm guitar duo for this type of thrash metal. Both guitarists and later Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph are all locked in the same groove, which greatly benefits the overall sound of ‘Twisted Into Form’.

While ‘Forbidden Evil’ had the higher peaks, ‘Twisted Into Form’ is a much more consistent record than its predecessor. The criticism that some of the album’s early songs have a tendency to blend together is not entirely unjustified, but that may also be caused by the more measured playing of the band. This degree of control really seems to fit Locicero’s vision. On this album, Forbidden relies less on melodic lead guitars and more on the complexity of the riff department. As a result, the songs are slighly less catchy, but Russ Anderson’s characteristic thrash meets classic metal voice increases the memorability.

‘Infinite’ is the perfect opener for this particular album. Not only does it ease you into the album’s more intricate approach with a song that starts with some riffs that could have been on the debut, it’s also slightly more catchy and aggressive than the rest of the record. The riff work is delightfully dark and eerie-sounding as well. The aggression also shines through on the lengthy ‘R.I.P.’, which combines a pounding main riff with a slowly building middle section. The title track, with the brilliant echo effect on its main riff and Anderson’s best vocal performance on the record, is one of the highlights as well.

‘Twisted Into Form’ leaves very little to complain about. Even the short acoustic pieces, intro ‘Parting Of The Ways’ and the nightmarish ‘Spiral Depression’, are excellent. If I would change anything about the record, I would switch out ‘Step By Step’ with either ‘Tossed Away’ or ‘One Foot In Hell’. The former sounds somewhat similar to the preceding ‘Out Of Body (Out Of Mind)’ and the latter two, despite being quality songs, feel like a bit of an afterthought after the incredible ‘R.I.P.’. Altering the sequencing might have fixed both issues. But ultimately, those issues are only minor. I can see why its excellent, but more modern follow-up ‘Distortion’ could be divisive, but ‘Twisted Into Form’ is a classic that all fans of progressive thrash metal should at the very least give a spin.

Recommended tracks: ‘Infinite’, ‘Twisted Into Form’, ‘R.I.P.’