Forbidden Singer Russ Anderson Details Battle with Alcoholism


Forbidden singer Russ Anderson shared a post on social media detailing his battle with drinking and a recent stint in rehab. He posted to the Forbidden Facebook page that he entered a rehabilitation facility six months ago, saying he had hit “rock bottom” after “drinking heavily” most of his life. He also shared that his bandmates Craig Locicero and Mark Hernandez helped him get off the ground from rock bottom and go to rehab. He also mentioned late guitarist Tim Calvert who died in 2019, and Sacred Reich guitarist Jason Rainey, who passed away earlier in 2020. Forbidden’s second album Twisted Into Form (Combat) just turned 30 years old this past week. Russ is one of the greatest singers in Thrash Metal history and the bands’ last album was, 2010’s Omega Wave, released by Nuclear Blast. We wish him the best!

“To my fans and friends. Yes, I’m still alive!

“October of last year I was put into a rehab and alcohol abuse center after drinking heavily most of my life. This was made possible by [FORBIDDEN guitarist] Craig Locicero and [drummer] Mark Hernandez kicking my ass and picking me up off of rock bottom. Between those guys and a few other amazing people that know who they are, I’m here today and not something much worse. Thanks to all of them and my counselors who helped coach me through the hardest time in my life.

“I’m here to tell all my friends in bands that I’m on my way back now.

I can still remember David Vincent from MORBID ANGEL saying (in a helpful way) to stop smoking and drinking. To be ‘the guy’ that did the first couple of FORBIDDEN albums! Another time, Matt Barlow from ICED EARTH told me I was his mentor as I was sitting there slamming my second bottle of Jack Daniels. Then I watched him go out there and blow doors!

“I can’t tell you how much I regret I have about my choices the last few years with FORBIDDEN.

“Now, I have been clean going on 170 days with one slip up. An wrong turn on my long road to sobriety.

“There are actually some amazing things that have happened to me since I went into rehab. I’ve lost 119 pounds and now feel like screaming! I’m up for wherever the journey takes me.

“I also need to say that my heart goes out to Jason Rainey, his family and the guys from SACRED REICH. It was back in the thrash metal heyday. They were the first band that FORBIDDEN ever toured and shared a bus with. The news about Jason hit me hard. Such a sad thing to loose the friends and bandmates we’ve made over those years. I’m teary eyed just thinking about it. We know how that feels. FORBIDDEN also lost Tim Calvert.

“That’s it for now.

“Thanks to our fans that continue to support FORBIDDEN after all these years. It keeps me and our legacy going.”