Black Sabbath’s “Forbidden”: A Rocky Chapter in the Band’s Legacy

In 1994, Black Sabbath’s album *Cross Purposes* saw moderate success, charting in both the UK and the US. However, the band faced instability when bassist Geezer Butler left to join Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band. Seeking to restore some consistency, guitarist Tony Iommi reunited Sabbath’s *Tyr*-era lineup, bringing back bassist Neil Murray and drummer Cozy Powell, along with frontman Tony Martin.

The resulting album, Forbidden, gained notoriety when the band’s label, I.R.S., suggested Ernie C, guitarist for rapper Ice-T’s group Body Count, as the producer. As the project progressed, it became clear that the collaboration was problematic, with Iommi feeling sidelined and unable to steer the album in the direction he wanted. Ice-T’s spoken word part on “The Illusion Of Power” became a standout moment, but the album ultimately struggled, peaking at No. 71 in the UK and falling flat in the US, making it the least successful Black Sabbath album to date.

Reflecting on the album years later, Iommi admitted that *Forbidden* had been a challenging experience. In 2024, he revisited the album, reworking it to sound more in line with Black Sabbath’s signature style. “I found some bits of guitar that Ernie hadn’t used,” Iommi explained, “and within the obvious constraints, I managed to make things sound a hell of a lot better.”