God Forbid
Better Days E.P.

February 2004
Released: 2004, Century Media
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Lord of the Wasteland

New Jersey’s God Forbid is back with a teaser of their upcoming CD, GONE FOREVER (due February 24th). This 5-song E.P. contains one new song from the new record, “Better Days,” “Allegiance,” which is available exclusively on this E.P., the demo version of “Wicked” from 2001’s DETERMINATION, and one song each from the band’s first two releases, REJECT THE SICKNESS and OUT OF MISERY. If you like Hatebreed, but with a little more of a metal influence and better musicianship, pick up God Forbid.



I heard “Better Days” played live back on The Headbanger’s Ball Tour in November and it stood out then. Hearing the studio version now shows more clearly what Byronde Davis can do as a singer. His growling screams during the verses are balanced out nicely with the cleaned up vocals he uses in the choruses. Great drums from Corey Pierce, too. If the band felt “Allegiance” was a throwaway track and left it off their new CD, then I HAVE to hear the rest of the album, because this song kicks ass! Great double bass, a cool guitar solo, furious vocals, and relentless to the end. The demo version of “Wicked” is a bit less polished understandably, but it has some fat bass licks that kick in at the 0:32 mark! “Reject The Sickness,” the title track from their 2000 CD, is just as brutal as the newer songs and for some reason, the volume turns up significantly in the middle of a verse at 1:26?? Not sure why. “Mind Eraser” is from way back in 1996-1997 from the band’s OUT OF MISERY demo. This song is a lot harsher than their newer material with more bashing and screaming and less melody.



Though this E.P. contains only 5 tracks, it gives a great representation of the band from their inception in 1996 right up to 2004. It’s interesting to hear how the band has progressed both as songwriters and musicians. And for only $3.00 direct from Century Media, you can’t go wrong.



KILLER KUTS: “Better Days,” “Allegiance”