by Ryan J. DowneyGod Forbid forges the gritting, teeth-baring bile of American death metal together with the melodic overtones of the so-called "New Wave of Swedish Death Metal" promulgated by bands like In Flames, Arch Enemy, and the late, lamented, and legendary At the Gates. Equal parts Pantera, Hatebreed, and early Sepultura, the central New Jersey based band have carved out a name for themselves touring with the formidable likes of Cradle of Filth, Nile, and Candiria, and playing gigs with bands as diverse as Sevendust, Sick of it All, Soul Brains, and Shadows Fall. God Forbid's music cuts a clear, brutal path through metal's inter-genre barriers as swiftly as the band's diverse ethnic makeup cuts across color lines. The men of God Forbid -- hulking, imposing vocalist Byron Davis; bassist Beeker; drummer Corey Pierce; and the brotherly guitar team of Doc Coyle and his older sibling Dallas -- first emerged with the Out of Misery EP in 1998. Their debut full-length album, Reject the Sickness, followed in 2000 through the small but fierce indie imprint 9 Volt Records. The album received a ton of spins on New Jersey/New York-area metal radio powerhouse WSOU, and eventually garnered the attention of the L.A. offices of Century Media Records, who quickly signed God Forbid to a worldwide deal. The result was 2001's Determination album, a sharp, crisp, and incredibly focused effort showcasing the band's songwriting talents and penchant for diverse musical interplay and technical wizardry. Subsequent touring with some of the biggest acts in metal and hardcore music followed, solidifying God Forbid's position as an up-and-coming contender for a highly regarded position amongst metal's most elite. Even Cradle of Filth vocalist Dani Filth was suitably impressed, reveling in the band's intensity and commenting on it nightly from the stage while touring across the States alongside them. That same year, the Reject the Sickness EP was reissued with extra tracks as the band embarked on tours with Opeth and crossed the pond for sold-out U.K. and European shows.