Forbidden has split with Voivod guitarist Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain and recruited Jeremy Von Epp. According to all three parties, everything was pretty amicable and Forbidden is working on more new music – so that’s nice. Mongrain joined in 2024 after Forbidden parted ways with Steve Smyth.
Forbidden stated: “Hey everybody, please help us welcome Jeremy Von Epp aboard as the new blood! When we first approached Dan about playing guitar with us, Steve [Smyth] amicably left the band while we still had a full table of obligations ahead of us. Mongrain was our very first choice and he agreed almost without hesitation.
“We all have deep respect for Dan and consider him one of the greatest guitarists in our Universe. To have him on stage with us was a dream come true. Chewy was a perfect fit. This being said, it was also on borrowed time due to his upcoming commitments with Voivod. Still, we managed it and intended on Dan being a part of Forbidden‘s new album as he’s already recorded and contributed to 3 songs.
“The touring part was always going to be touch and go depending on our overlapping schedules. This issue first appeared at Aftershock in Sacramento and Grita [Fest] in Colombia. We recruited Jeremy Von Epp and he stepped in like a champ! Jeremy was a seamless transition that caught us by a very pleasant surprise, so much so that it made us rethink our short term and long term plans. It took Von Epp almost no time at all to learn our language and solos of three unbelievably great guitarists in Glen Alvelais, Tim Calvert, Smyth and Dan Mongrain. No small shoes to fill.
“We got back from Colombia and reevaluated our situation. Jeremy needed to be in Forbidden full time and we all agreed. It made too much sense with the chemistry we have together. Dan has been amazing, a great friend, player and now is like family to us. His contributions raised the bar of quality sky high. We are forever grateful for his genius and brilliant humor he shared over the last 1 1/2 years.
“Thank you, Dan! Also a sincere thanks to the rest of Voivod for letting us borrow him from you, albeit temporary. Forbidden loves you all. As we move into this era of Forbidden with Von Epp, we’re presently writing, recording and pre producing new material that will take us to another level. There is much more exciting news that is just around the corner to share very soon!”
Mongrain added in a separate statement: “When Craig Locicero called me to play in Forbidden, I accepted right away as I was already a fan and that we we’re friends since 2008 when we first met in Tokyo where we played on the same bill (Voivod, Forbidden). I never thought I would later play in the band live, touring and contributing on new songs. Life has great surprises.
“From the start we all knew it would be quite a challenge for the schedule to fit with Voivod activities and my other bands. But we went for it, it worked for a while and it’s been great. I got to know Chris Kontos, Norman Skinner and Matt Camacho better, and along with Craig, we became brothers and troopers on the road.
“I am honored and forever grateful to have been part of Forbidden, and tour the world together. Unfortunately, teleportation and cloning is not a thing yet, schedules, distances and other factors are making it impossible to make it work on the long term. So I have to step down and pass the torch to the great Jeremy Van Epp who’s been killing it since the last couple shows as it was impossible for me to be there.
“Love to all the Forbidden family and crew, friends, fans, all the people I met during this amazing journey, it was a great ride to say the least. I embrace the memories and wish all the best to the mighty Forbidden in the years to come with a kick ass line-up!! They will blow your mind!! Peace and health to everyone!! See you on tour!”
Von Epp said: “When Craig called me a few months back with the prospect of helping them out as a stand in for Chewy, I was immediately interested. We have all been friends for years, and I’d been keeping up with them since their reformation, but after hearing the new song, ‘Divided By Zero’, I was all in!
“Learning the material was a challenge, but one that I quickly grew to enjoy. It’d been a long time since I played in a twin lead guitar thrash metal band, but I was excited about doing that again with Forbidden. The two shows I played with them in October, Aftershock festival and Grita festival in Colombia, both went really well and everything just clicked.
“I look forward to being a part of the next chapter of Forbidden and I am beyond honored to carry the torch(s) for all the great guitarists who have carried it here before me. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to playing some badass Bay Area thrash metal again, now with these guys. LFG!”
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