Forsaken, consisting of Leo Stivala (vocals), Albert Bell (bass), Sean Vukovic (guitars), Mario Ellul (Keyboards) and Simeon Gatt (drums) has remained one of the most consistent and long-standing bands in Malta's underground scene throughout its nine-year existence. The band started out as progressive metallers "Blind Alley" and the initial line-up, formed in September 1990, featured Leo Stivala (vocals), former "Fall Out" keyboardist Cay Schembri, Kevin Azzopardi (guitars), Simeon Gatt (drums) and Tony Azzopardi (bass).
The band adopted the epithet "Forsaken" shortly after the recruitment of ex-Kremation and Vandals bassist Albert Bell in July 1991. The new line-up set about writing new material that displayed an array of influences amongst the plethora of sub-genres in the Heavy Metal scene. Forsaken's first live performance was at the Radio City Hall in Hamrun, Malta on Friday 13 September 1991, co-headlining a gig with Thrashers Manslaughter and Extremity. This gig signalled the re-generation of Malta's underground scene and saw Forsaken introducing its own brand of progressive Doom Metal to local enthusiasts.
After this satisfying live debut, the band released its first and only demo to date, entitled "Requiem". The demo was a low-budget affair recorded in three days towards the end of December 1991, with Marcel (former Beheaded vocalist) handling the production. "Requiem" received favourable reviews in a number of foreign fanzines and mags including "In My Veins" (France), "Underground Empire" (Germany), "Heavy Oder Was?" (Germany), "Slayer" (Norway) and "Doomhauled" (Canada). It also served to attract a great of interest in the band, which culminated in a deal with the French underground independent label Arkham Productions.
The band released its debut 7" Ep on Arkham entitled "Virtues of Sanctity" in July 1992. The Ep featured a re-worked version of "Where Angels Have Fallen" from the "Requiem" demo and another track called "Confessing My Desolation". The Ep was released to widespread acclaim in the underground scene furthering the band's recognition with Doom Metal enthusiasts world-wide.
Prior to the Ep's release the band suffered the departure of Cay Schembri (keyboards). However, Forsaken immediately recruited Daniel Magri (ex-Manslaughter) with the intention of forwarding a stronger guitar-based, riff-oriented sound. This line-up remained stable until late 1993 when the band parted company with long-standing guitarist Kevin Azzopardi (now Orbus Vitae). As replacement Forsaken enlisted the versatile services of Sean Vukovic (Norm Rejection/Filletti & Friends).
Between 1992 and 1993, Forsaken's efforts were mainly focused on the live-front and soon the band developed as one of the Island's strongest live acts. Some of the most memorable live appearances by the band throughout this two-year period included:
Leaders, Rabat 24-4-92 with Death Metal band Segregation "Maltasajf" Rock festival 26-9-92 , St.Andrews Birzebbuga Sailing Club, 13-8-93, with In Memoriam (now Norm Rejection) Domus Hall, Zebbug 6-9-93 with Realida and Dilapidated(both RIP) Rinella Rock Festival 18-12-93, Kalkara
Forsaken were also the first underground act to play at traditionally Hard-Rock Paceville venues particularly the Harlequin Rock Club and the Rock Cafe. Between February and March 1994, Forsaken embarked on a tour throughout France and Spain, playing in various cities like Grenoble, Lyon, Paris, Rennes, Lille, Barcelona and Venaros. These dates saw the Forsaken teaming up with a number of foreign underground bands including, Oddmongers (France), Human Waste (Spain), Melem (France) and Lone Wolf (France) . The tour was followed with further gigs in Malta and Gozo where the band still thrives from a dedicated horde of followers.
In May 1995 another mainstay in the band's repertoire "Moon Dancer" was recorded at Temple Studios (Malta) and was the band's first experience with the famed local producer David Vella.. "Moon Dancer" highlighted the band's penchant for emotive lyrical themes and was also Forsaken's contribution to the first all-Maltese underground CD compilation "The Storm Has Begun" released on June 24th, 1995 on Storm Productions.
In February 1997 the band released its long-awaited debut CD entitled "Evermore" on Storm Recs. This CD release, featuring tracks such as "Madrigal", "Season's End" and "The Healer" received favourable reviews in a number of established underground zines, including the notable Metallian Mag (France). "Evermore" highlighted Forsaken's ability to experiment with divergent soundscapes and musical directions. The CD was recorded at Temple Studios, and pressed at Prime Studios London, UK. These efforts landed the band with a "best-band" nomination in the 1997 Malta Music Awards -possibly the first occasion where a local metal act received some sort of recognition at a mainstream-oriented musical event. Over the more recent months, the band bolstered its line-up by recruiting enterprising Weeping Silence founder member Mario Ellul on keyboards and undertook a concerted effort to revamp a musical repertoire, which spans various years of consistent songwriting. In new tracks, such as, "Whispering Soul" and "Wither the Hour", Forsaken explore dimensions that build on a tradition for atmospheric, progressive doom metal.
Forsaken started to re-consolidate their live appearances with gigs at Rock Cafe and also an appearance at Gianpula Rock Festival.
In the meantime a US contact from Midwest Metal Records gave Forsaken the opportunity to participate in a Black Sabbath tribute. Forsaken contributed a strong rendition of Neon Knights which was very well received by critics and zines in the underground scene. The compilation, titled "Dehumanized Witch" was released in May/June 2000. During this time Forsaken's long standing guitarist Daniel Magri had to endure a strong battle against cancer. Daniel's unyeilding character kept him actively involved in the band during the recording of Neon Knights and always present during the writing and rehearsing of new material.
On the 4th January 2001 Daniel passed away and his outstanding capability in strenghtening the band's sound and song writing can be heared in all the releases and compositions of Forsaken.
A tribute concert was organised on the 21st April 2001 at a fully packed Rock Cafe and the door procedes were donated to the Malta Hospice Movement.
Despite the impact of Daniel's passing away Forsaken committed themselves to consolidate their hosts of foreign contacts. They decided to re-enter Temple Studios to record a promo-package in order to ascertain interest from underground labels.
For the future Forsaken aim to release the follow up to "Evermore". Later this year is the most probable target, so all you Hordes of Doom stay TUNED because it's going to be DAMN HEAVY ...........
