Chris Kontos Parts Ways With Forbidden
The drummer left the metal band after nearly four years, citing financial integrity and accounting transparency concerns.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Metal
Drummer Chris Kontos has parted ways with metal band Forbidden after nearly four years as its drummer. Forbidden's remaining members said they learned of his departure from a social media post.
Why it matters
Kontos said he tried for months to resolve internal disputes with bandmates, management, and the group's legal and accounting teams before leaving. His departure comes as the band's new material was being recorded, which the remaining members described as a process he was integral to.
Kontos contributed to an upcoming Forbidden album and several music videos during his nearly four-year tenure. The specific financial and accounting disagreements he cited have not been detailed publicly, and the band has not announced a replacement.
The players
Chris Kontos
Chris Kontos is a drummer who spent nearly four years performing with the metal band Forbidden before announcing his departure.
Forbidden
Forbidden is a thrash metal band whose remaining members said they learned of Kontos's departure through a social media post.
The details
Kontos announced his exit in a written statement, saying financial integrity, a lack of accounting transparency, and business decisions he did not agree with made the conflicts irreconcilable. He said he requested privacy and will not comment further on the split.
Timeline
Months before the announcement: Kontos attempted to resolve internal band issues.
Nearly four years: Kontos served as Forbidden's drummer.
November 6, 2026: Kontos's departure was announced and reported.
Legacy Lineups
Drummer exits during active album recording have been a recurring source of disruption for thrash metal bands that rely on long-serving lineups for their identity. Kontos's exit fits that pattern, arriving while Forbidden was assembling new material that the remaining members said he helped shape.
Fans of Forbidden will be watching whether the upcoming album and its music videos proceed with the current lineup. Listeners should monitor official band channels for any announcement about a replacement drummer or release timing.
The takeaway
Lineup changes in long-running bands often reflect disagreements over business management as much as creative direction. Fans who follow a band closely should expect that new material may take longer to arrive while personnel questions are resolved.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Metal section for other band lineup changes and industry news.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
