Forsaken

Forsaken, one of Southern Europe’s longest standing and premier doom metal outfits, were formed in 1990 under the moniker "Blind Alley". Based in Malta, the band adopted the epithet "Forsaken" in 1991, opting for a resounding doom metal soundscape in the process.  The band released their debut demo "Requiem" toward the end of that same year. In 1993 the band signed to Arkham Productions (France) for the release of a 7" Ep entitled "Virtues of Sanctity". Between Feb – March 1994, together with French thrash metal band Oddmongers, the band toured France and Spain to promote the Ep's release. Forsaken moved to local label Storm Records for their debut full-length "Evermore" (1997). After a lengthy absence from the studio the band returned to Temple Studios (Malta) to record a cover version of "Neon Knights", which was featured in the Black Sabbath MK II (Dio-era) tribute called "Dehumanized Witch" (Mid-West Metal Records - USA). In 2002 the band released a three-track promo demo, which attracted considerable label interest. In the same year the band signed to Golden Lake Productions (Scotland, UK) for the long-awaited "Iconoclast" Ep. Forsaken’s second full-length album called "Anima Mundi" (also released on Golden Lake Productions), was issued in February 2004 to widespread critical acclaim and remains the band’s best-selling release to date. This album was also licensed for a CD re-press on Russia’s CD Maximum in 2005 for an exclusive Russia and  Baltic States deal.

Golden Lake Productions also re-released the band’s 1996 debut album “Evermore” in early 2005. During the summer of 2006 the band relocated to Temple Studios for the recording of their third full-length and most widely acclaimed full-length album to date -“Dominaeon”. Focusing on a conceptual lyrical theme dealing with man’s pathway to spirituality and divine revelation and with famed Polish artist Jowita Kaminska (Exodus, Manilla Road, Emerald, Dantesco, Attacker etc) handling cover artwork duties, “Dominaeon” has been applauded by various critics as one of the milestones in contemporary doom metal, even clinching the No 1 spot in December 2005’s studio test by Heavy Mag (Germany).

All the band’s catalogue on Golden Lake Productions were released in subsequent on vinyl (in DLP format) on the German label Immortal Vinyl Records featuring various exclusive bonus tracks. The band’s 2009 album “After the Fall” was released on Sweden’s I Hate Records on both CD and vinyl 12” format and gathered strong reactions in Malta and worldwide. This was followed up with the release of a 12” Split EP with Finland’s Fall of the Idols (on vinyl only) on the same label in 2010 titled “Tales of Doom and Woe”. For their fifth album Forsaken titled “Pentateuch” the band switch to Denmark’s Mighty Music Records, released in digital, CD and vinyl (LP) format. The album focuses on a thematic lyrical concept based on the first five books of the Old Testament and musically sees the band exploring epic doom metal pastures to new heights.  The band is now working on songs intended for their sixth full-length album.

Forsaken have also built a strong reputation as a powerful and emotionally charged live doom act. Apart from countless local gigs and their mini-European tour in 1994, the band played in various reputable heavy metal festivals all over Europe, including, the first and fifth editions of the Doom Shall Rise festival (2003, 2007 Germany), the Headbangers Open Air festival VII ( 2004, Germany), Keep it True V (2005, Germany), Elements of Rock Festival (2007,Switzerland), Dutch Doom Days Festival (2007, Netherlands), Doom Metal Inquisition (July 2008, Bradford, England), Cross Music Metalfest (October 2008, Friedewald, Germany), Day of Doom (November 2008, Dortmund, Germany), Brainstorm Festival (November 2009, Netherlands), Hammer of Doom festival (October 2011, Wurzburg, Germany), Neuborn Open Air festival (August, 2012, Germany), Play it Doom Festival (Brescia, Italy, January, 2015 and followed up with another gig in Italy at the Nero Extrema Club at Reggio Calabria in April 2015), Dordrecht Doom Day (May, 2015, Netherlands), SpringDoom Depression Festival (April, 2016, Vienna, Austria), Rock Hard Ride Free festival, Poland (June, 2016) , exclusive club shows at La Saletta in Reggio Calabria in March, 2017 with Nuclear Detonation and in Athens at the Modu club together with Hellenic epic metal giants Reflection and Achelous (May, 2017). In October, 2019, Forsaken returned to Germany to headline and Augsbangers Metal Meeting in Augsburg. 

Forsaken also supported NWOBHM legends Angel Witch in the latter’s show in Malta in May, 2014 and appeared in six editions of Malta’s foremost heavy metal festival – MDM (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018) since the festival’s inception in 2009 and other leading rock and heavy metal festivals on the Island (including Shellshock festival, XMA, Notte Bianca, the Farsons Beerfest, Metal Over Malta festival and Haunting the Theatre festival). 

Other important shows in Malta include supporting Candlemass at the latter’s House of Doom show at the Aria Complex in June 2018. Forsaken also supported Ross the Boss at the same venue in  2022, which marked a return to the stage (together with the band’s Haunting the Theatre appearance in the same year) following the lift on Covid restrictions.

In 2022, Forsaken returned to the studio to record a cover for the Warlord track “Lucifer’s Hammer” which featured in a Bill Tsamis tribute album titled “A  Crack in the Sky” released on Pitch Black Records released on both cd and vinyl (DLP) in May, 2022.

The band's current line-up reads: Leo Stivala (Vocals), Sean Vukovic (Guitars), Albert Bell (Bass) and Simeon Gatt (Drums). In 2001, one of the band's longestserving members, Daniel Magri (Guitars) sadly passed away after a long battle against Cancer. Forsaken clinched the MMA (Malta Music Awards) Best Heavy Rock/Heavy metal band award twice – in 2003 and 2009 and were also nominated for the same award in 1997.

What the press says: 

« Forsaken have their very own way of playing their Doom materials that is simply fantastic. I'm impressed by the quality of this band from Malta, everything is nearly perfect from musician skill to song writing to ambience ». Franag Webzine, France. 

« If indeed doom metal is to live on, its bands such as Forsaken that will consist of its backbone ». Alternative Webzine, Israel. 

« If a band like Candlemass has competition, then the main competitor will be Forsaken ». Quintessence Webzine, The Netherlands. 

« I first came across Forsaken a couple of years ago on doom metal CD compilation called ‘A Dark World’, the track on there ‘Carpe Diem’ made me hunt down their debut album ‘Anima Mundi’ which was an awesome slab of epic doom metal so on receiving Dominaeon I was hopeful that they had continued in the same direction as ‘Anima Mundi’ left off and I can tell you in all certainty that they have excelled themselves with ‘Dominaeon’…. Without a doubt this is one of the best epic doom albums released in 2005 and hopefully I will get the chance to catch Forsaken live in 2006. Hail Forsaken, for you are the future of epic doom metal! » Live For Metal Webzine, UK.

 « Forsaken are on their way to become one of the most important Doom bands of all times, and possibly, they are already so. Wonderful! » Metal District Web Zine, Germany. 

« It’s unbelievable how much impact a band can have on you. Forsaken is a band that had that much impact on me. Pure Doom of the way only the masters can do itself. » Vampire Zine, The Netherlands. 

« With bands like Forsaken the genre (doom metal) will survive in eternal greatness...! » Blood of the Ancients Mag, Germany. 

« FORSAKEN give us a very complete package! For sure the best pure Doom Metal album of the year and dearly recommended to every friend of epic Doom sounds! » The Metal Observer, Germany.

« It's my personal belief that Forsaken are with this album making a huge step forward and climbing up the “hierarchy” in the doom scene's scalar chain. Make sure you at least listen to their album, I'm sure that just one listening is enough to be convinced to bow to their supremacy!! » Forgotten Scroll Mag, Greece.

« I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Forsaken to hardcore devotees of the genre (who probably have it already) or to metal fans who just appreciate well-written, masterfully produced and arranged material » Erebus Magazine, USA.