GOD FORBID triumphantly return with IV: Constitution Of Treason, their most dynamic and devastating offering yet, one which will undoubtedly solidify their position as one of the genres elite. This mighty New Jersey-based quintet have now forged their own unique path and stretched their musical boundaries to the very limit while creating a thought-provoking conceptual opus that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
Soon after the groups inception in 1996, The Out of Misery EP and debut full-length Reject The Sickness were released on the small indie label 9 Volt Records, helping GOD FORBID develop an underground and strong regional following. This buzz attracted the attention of Century Media Records, who quickly signed the band. In 2001, the band unleashed Determination an Americanized form of thrash metal so unrelenting that it brought listeners to their knees. Their undying road dog mentality helped them to expand their devoted fanbase, while the challenge of playing numerous shows with artists ranging from Cradle of Filth and Opeth to Mushroomhead and Thursday forced their live performances to grow stronger and more devastating. The group soon realized that they needed to reach deeper down within themselves to channel the energy and emotions needed to help their songwriting evolve, in order to craft the definitive GOD FORBID sound.
After a tour with Atreyu and a series of shows with Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God on the inaugural Headbangers Ball tour, GOD FORBID emerged from the studio in early 2004 with the blistering, Gone Forever, which put the band on the international map. The critically acclaimed album successfully bridged the gap between thrash, hardcore and traditional metal. They soon embarked on a few dates on a massive Jagermeister-sponsored tour with Slipknot, Fear Factory and Chimaira, leading immediately into a highly successful nationwide U.S. run and full European tour with Machine Head. However, the groups biggest break would come that summer on Ozzfest, where their highly captivating and energetic performances helped them garner new legions of fans. So-called off-fest dates with Slayer and Slipknot further cemented their momentum. GOD FORBID wrapped up the albums touring cycle with their first-ever U.S. headlining run in early 2005 and were in top form as they entered the studio to begin tracking an eagerly awaited new effort.
IV: Constitution Of Treason was produced by Jason Suecof (Trivium) at Audiohammer Studios and Eric Rachel (Atreyu, Dillinger Escape Plan) at Trax East, who also handled mixing duties. This new offering is a huge step forward for the band in regards to songwriting, as they emphasize developing the melodies and arrangements of each individual track. Meanwhile the stunning guitar duo of brothers Doc and Dallas Coyle delivers its most breathtaking performances yet. Doc further describes his thoughts on their new material: Musically, it's a more refined and complex version of the traditional GOD FORBID sound, but offers several new twists and turns. I really think everyone will be surprised when they hear the growth, especially in the vocals.
The concept behind IV: Constitution Of Treason is told in three parts, the first being Twilight of Civilization, where nations engage in a worldwide nuclear onslaught that obliterates our way of life. In part two, In The Darkest Hour, There Was One, the now primitive world is in the midst of fascist rule until one man emerges from the downtrodden common people to rebel against these ideals. He speaks to them about free choice and individuality, leading to uprisings and descent, which eventually is traced back to this man. Sentenced to banishment and death in the wasteland, he has a spiritual revelation and miraculously returns unscathed. The Hero is soon burned alive in public for all to see the awe-inspiring lack of mercy shown to those who commit treason. In part three, Devolution, several centuries pass since the time of the Hero, and his tales become legends so profound that the masses dedicate their lives to one side of these beliefs or the other. The ultimate lesson to be learned is, even if a holocaust couldnt keep a good species down, it is doomed to repeat cataclysmic mistakes. But while predictability has seemingly become humankinds defining characteristic, the moral is to not let it define you.
With four full-length releases and almost a decade of experience under their belts, the group has achieved its true potential with a groundbreaking offering that will force the entire world to take notice.
