Forbidden  by Black Sabbath

Forbidden, released in June 1995, is the eighteenth studio album by Black Sabbath and is considered by many as one of the most controversial moments in their history. The album marked the reunion of the Tyr era lineup, meaning Tony Martin was once again on vocals. Forbidden was the last studio album in which Martin participated.

The recording of Forbidden was completed in just 10 days at Devonshire Studios in Los Angeles. The record label I.R.S. pressured the band to work with Ernie C (guitarist of Body Count) on production, hoping for a more “modern” sound. This decision proved problematic, as the producer tried to impose hip-hop elements, which particularly displeased drummer Cozy Powell. Ice-T features with spoken word vocals on the opening track The Illusion Of Power. The cover by Paul Sample depicts a caricature of the Grim Reaper in comic style, a choice that puzzled fans accustomed to the group's dark style.

The album received intense criticism for its "thin" production and weak compositions, with magazines like Blender calling it a “disgrace.” Forbidden reached No71 in the UK, while sales were low, with around 21,000 copies in the first week in the U.S.