Nevermore
Encyclopedia
Nevermore is an American heavy metal
band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash
, power
, progressive
, and neo-classical metal
into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars
and a wide range of vocal styles.
was pressured by its recording label to change its musical style, switching from heavy metal
to grunge
, which was obtaining mainstream success at the time due to bands such as Nirvana
and Pearl Jam
(both, incidentally, also from Seattle). Two members of the band — vocalist Warrel Dane
and bassist Jim Sheppard
— didn't agree with the change, and thus proceeded to create a project of their own: Nevermore.
. In 1995 Nevermore released its debut album
through Century Media Records
. This album received much attention and specialized review, as its release was followed by a European tour with Blind Guardian
and a North American tour with Death.
Second guitarist Pat O'Brien joined the band prior to the release of the EP
In Memory
and also took part in the recording of the subsequent album The Politics of Ecstasy
, both from 1996. O'Brien left Nevermore to play in Cannibal Corpse
and Curran Murphy from Shatter Messiah was enlisted as a touring guitarist for the band until Tim Calvert (who played for the band Forbidden
) was able to join the band.
was released. Highly acclaimed, the album narrates the story of a man's slow decline into madness, subsequent to the death of the only woman he ever loved. The tracks of this album are varied in style, ranging from slow and melodic to aggressive and progressive. Warrel Dane put much effort in interpretation, emitting varied emotions from his vocals. The album's lyrics are a partially true retelling of the events Dane underwent after the vanishing of his longtime girlfriend.
A long tour with several concerts followed, and Nevermore played together with bands such as Mercyful Fate
, Arch Enemy
, Iced Earth
, and Opeth
. After the end of the tour, in 2000, guitarist Tim Calvert announced his departure from the band, subsequent to his marriage. Instead of finding a replacement, the band decided to continue as a quartet, only adding session guitarists for live appearances, such as Curran Murphy (who went on to play in Annihilator
and form his own band Shatter Messiah) and Jag Panzer
's Chris Broderick
. Nevermore proceeded to record Dead Heart in a Dead World
, which was followed by tours with several bands, most notably with Savatage
in 2001.
, remained in production for over a year, and was released in 2003. This album faced much criticism for its production and was re-released in 2005, after being remixed by Andy Sneap
. On tour, the band was joined by second lead guitarist Steve Smyth
, formerly of Vicious Rumors
and Testament
; Smyth was eventually added to the line-up on a permanent basis.
A sixth album, This Godless Endeavor
, was released in July 2005. Nevermore then toured on Dave Mustaine
's Gigantour
during the summer of 2005. In 2006, they toured with Disturbed and also as direct support to In Flames
on the second leg of its North American tour.
2006 held a bit of bad luck for Nevermore, as bassist Jim Sheppard underwent a procedure for Crohn's disease
, which he has suffered from for over 15 years, and guitarist Steve Smyth was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and had to get a kidney transplant. Warrel Dane had previously developed type 2 diabetes
, and the band was forced to cancel their show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 13, 2006, due to an unspecified illness afflicting Dane.
. However, according to Nevermore's official website, on the day of the show, Warrel Dane fell ill with an infection, eventually resulting in the necessity of seeing a doctor at a hospital in Dortmund, Germany. Doctors insisted that he be kept at the hospital and the show was canceled that evening. Apologetic to their fans, Nevermore agreed with the local venue to perform the show on October 11, 2006. The double DVD set would also include a Nevermore documentary, all of the band's promo videos and past recordings from their 11 year career. The DVD was released on October 20, 2008, and is entitled The Year of the Voyager
.
On August 30, 2007, it was announced that Steve Smyth would no longer be a member of the band, citing personal and business reasons for the departure. He stated that he would also be touring with Danish metal band Hatesphere
as they supported Behemoth and later Dimmu Borgir, and would also be working on the release of The Esseness Project, an all-instrumental progressive rock album. Dane and Loomis entered the studio, each to record a solo album. Dane recorded Praises to the War Machine
and Loomis recorded Zero Order Phase
, both released in 2008. Later that year, the band released their first ever live concert CD/DVD titled The Year of the Voyager
, the only release to feature veteran touring guitarist Chris Broderick
, who departed to join Megadeth
.
2009, where they performed alongside many bands including Motorhead, DragonForce
and HammerFall
. Nevermore entered the studio in August with producer and Soilwork
guitarist Peter Wichers
to record their long-awaited 7th album The Obsidian Conspiracy
. The recording was completed in October 2009 and was released the 8th of June 2010 in America, and the 31st of May 2010 in the EU On June 1, 2010, Nevermore announced a North American Tour in Fall with openers Warbringer
, Hatesphere
and Blackguard.
, power metal
, amongst others. They also have used death metal
traits such as low tuned and fast paced riffing. The press have used several other genres to describe Nevermore's sound including groove metal
, technical speed metal
, technical thrash metal, progressive power/thrash metal, death/thrash metal, and melodic thrash metal. In an interview on The Hard Report, Warrel Dane casually remarked "...power metal, or whatever Metal this is." However in an interview at Metalmania in 2006 singer Warrel Dane doesn't explicitly disagree with the many genres the band has been put in over the years, but he does however say "I don't think we're power metal."
Former
Live
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1991, they are known to incorporate elements from styles such as thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, power
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
, progressive
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
, and neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal
Neo-classical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that is heavily influenced by classical music. It refers to a very technical performanceExact quote from the french text: "L'arrivée du néoclassique remet au goût du jour la virtuosité et le travail de l'instrument", « Les secrets du metal-...
into their songs, and also makes use of acoustic guitars
Steel-string acoustic guitar
A steel-string acoustic guitar is a modern form of guitar descended from the classical guitar, but strung with steel strings for a brighter, louder sound...
and a wide range of vocal styles.
Early years (1991-1993)
Nevermore started in the beginning of the 1990s, when the band SanctuarySanctuary (band)
Sanctuary is an American heavy metal band founded in Seattle in 1985. The band consisted of Warrel Dane , Lenny Rutledge , Sean Blosl, Jim Sheppard , Dave Budbill , and in the end Jeff Loomis.-History:...
was pressured by its recording label to change its musical style, switching from heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
to grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
, which was obtaining mainstream success at the time due to bands such as Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
and Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
(both, incidentally, also from Seattle). Two members of the band — vocalist Warrel Dane
Warrel Dane
Warrel Dane is the lead singer of the progressive metal band Nevermore. He is also the singer of the metal band Sanctuary, who have recently reformed...
and bassist Jim Sheppard
Jim Sheppard
Jim Sheppard is an American musician.He is the bassist and founding member of the progressive metal band, Nevermore, and its predecessor, SanctuaryHe and singer Warrel Dane are certified chefs, and formerly owned a restaurant in Seattle....
— didn't agree with the change, and thus proceeded to create a project of their own: Nevermore.
Nevermore, In Memory and The Politics of Ecstasy (1994-1996)
By the end of 1994, the band assumed a stable lineup, which saw the additions of drummer Van Williams and former Sanctuary touring guitarist Jeff LoomisJeff Loomis
Jeff Loomis is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore.-Early days:...
. In 1995 Nevermore released its debut album
Nevermore (album)
Nevermore is the eponymous debut album by Seattle progressive metal band Nevermore. Released in 1995 under Century Media, it was singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard's first release after departing from their previous band, Sanctuary, in 1994...
through Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
. This album received much attention and specialized review, as its release was followed by a European tour with Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in Krefeld, West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres...
and a North American tour with Death.
Second guitarist Pat O'Brien joined the band prior to the release of the EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
In Memory
In Memory
In Memory is Nevermore's only EP. It was recorded in April and May 1996 and released on July 23, 1996. It features a Bauhaus medley. It was re-issued in 2006 with 5 bonus tracks, which are all demos of songs from the next full-length album, The Politics of Ecstasy.It was their first album to...
and also took part in the recording of the subsequent album The Politics of Ecstasy
The Politics of Ecstasy (album)
-Personnel:*Warrel Dane - vocals*Jeff Loomis - guitar*Pat O'Brien - guitar*Jim Sheppard - bass*Van Williams - drums*Produced by Neil Kernon...
, both from 1996. O'Brien left Nevermore to play in Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
and Curran Murphy from Shatter Messiah was enlisted as a touring guitarist for the band until Tim Calvert (who played for the band Forbidden
Forbidden (band)
Forbidden is a thrash metal band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil, the group was founded by Russ Anderson and Craig Locicero, who are both permanent members. Since their formation, Forbidden have broken up and reformed twice with numerous line-up changes...
) was able to join the band.
Dreaming Neon Black and Dead Heart in a Dead World (1999-2001)
Three years without releases followed, but in 1999, the album Dreaming Neon BlackDreaming Neon Black
-Credits:Nevermore* Warrel Dane - vocals* Jim Sheppard - bass* Jeff Loomis - guitars* Tim Calvert - guitars* Van Williams - drumsAdditional personnel* Christine Rhoades - additional vocalsProduction* Neil Kernon - production, mixing, mastering...
was released. Highly acclaimed, the album narrates the story of a man's slow decline into madness, subsequent to the death of the only woman he ever loved. The tracks of this album are varied in style, ranging from slow and melodic to aggressive and progressive. Warrel Dane put much effort in interpretation, emitting varied emotions from his vocals. The album's lyrics are a partially true retelling of the events Dane underwent after the vanishing of his longtime girlfriend.
A long tour with several concerts followed, and Nevermore played together with bands such as Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate
Mercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
, Arch Enemy
Arch Enemy (band)
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup, from Halmstad, formed in 1996. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist to name a few. It was founded by Carcass guitarist Michael Amott along with Johan...
, Iced Earth
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
, and Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
. After the end of the tour, in 2000, guitarist Tim Calvert announced his departure from the band, subsequent to his marriage. Instead of finding a replacement, the band decided to continue as a quartet, only adding session guitarists for live appearances, such as Curran Murphy (who went on to play in Annihilator
Annihilator (band)
Annihilator is a Canadian heavy metal band hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, also from Vancouver, British Columbia between 1987-2002 by founding member, vocalist, guitarist and bassist Jeff Waters. The band has been around since 1984 and is the biggest selling heavy metal artist from Canada in history,...
and form his own band Shatter Messiah) and Jag Panzer
Jag Panzer
Jag Panzer were an American power metal band from Colorado Springs, Colorado.-Biography:Jag Panzer came together in late 1981, being inspired by the onslaught of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
's Chris Broderick
Chris Broderick
Christopher Broderick is the virtuoso guitarist of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California...
. Nevermore proceeded to record Dead Heart in a Dead World
Dead Heart in a Dead World
Dead Heart in a Dead World is the fourth studio album by heavy metal band Nevermore, released in July 2000. In a style comparable to a darker, heavier Queensrÿche, its songs range topics such as criticism of drug possession penalties to rejection of religion. The album also features a cover of...
, which was followed by tours with several bands, most notably with Savatage
Savatage
Savatage is an American heavy metal band founded by the brothers Jon and Criss Oliva in 1978 at Astro Skate in Tarpon Springs, Florida.-Early days :...
in 2001.
Enemies of Reality and This Godless Endeavor (2003-2007)
The band's fifth album, Enemies of RealityEnemies of Reality
Bonus videos # "Enemies of Reality" # "I, Voyager" # "Enemies of Reality" -Limited edition DVD tracklist:# "Believe in Nothing" # "Next in Line" # "What Tomorrow Knows"...
, remained in production for over a year, and was released in 2003. This album faced much criticism for its production and was re-released in 2005, after being remixed by Andy Sneap
Andy Sneap
Andy "Undie" Sneap is an English record producer, recording engineer, mixer, guitarist, and songwriter. He is best known for producing and mixing many acclaimed heavy metal albums.-Musician:...
. On tour, the band was joined by second lead guitarist Steve Smyth
Steve Smyth
Steve Smyth is the guitarist for the metal band Forbidden.-Biography:Smyth was born in Northern California and started his career in the female-fronted melodic progressive metal band Ariah after graduation in 1988. Ariah never released an official studio album, but they recorded a few songs and...
, formerly of Vicious Rumors
Vicious Rumors
Vicious Rumors is an American power metal band founded in 1979 in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.The brainchild of Geoff Thorpe, the band has been active on the metal scene since its inception in 1979...
and Testament
Testament (band)
Testament is an American metal band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1983. They are often credited as one of the most popular bands of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
; Smyth was eventually added to the line-up on a permanent basis.
A sixth album, This Godless Endeavor
This Godless Endeavor
-Credits:The Band:*Warrel Dane - lead vocals*Jeff Loomis - guitar*Steve Smyth - guitar*Jim Sheppard - bass*Van Williams - drumsGuest Musician:*James Murphy - Special guest lead guitar on "The Holocaust of Thought"Production:...
, was released in July 2005. Nevermore then toured on Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine
David Scott "Dave" Mustaine is the founder, main songwriter, guitarist, and lead vocalist for the American heavy metal band Megadeth. Prior to Megadeth, Mustaine was the first lead guitarist and a co-songwriter of the heavy metal band Metallica until he was fired from the band in 1983. In 2009, he...
's Gigantour
Gigantour
Gigantour is the name of a sporadically organised traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. The tour was founded in 2005 with dates across North America, and the 2006 and 2007 line-ups also traveled to Australia...
during the summer of 2005. In 2006, they toured with Disturbed and also as direct support to In Flames
In Flames
In Flames is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. Since the band's inception in 1993, they have released ten studio albums and one live DVD...
on the second leg of its North American tour.
2006 held a bit of bad luck for Nevermore, as bassist Jim Sheppard underwent a procedure for Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
, which he has suffered from for over 15 years, and guitarist Steve Smyth was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, and had to get a kidney transplant. Warrel Dane had previously developed type 2 diabetes
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Diabetes mellitus type 2formerly non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetesis a metabolic disorder that is characterized by high blood glucose in the context of insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Diabetes is often initially managed by increasing exercise and...
, and the band was forced to cancel their show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 13, 2006, due to an unspecified illness afflicting Dane.
Solo work and The Year of the Voyager (2006-2008)
On September 12, 2006, Nevermore was supposed to record its first full length DVD live at the Zeche club in Bochum, Germany. This event was to be captured by 7 cameras and the live recording was to be produced by Andy SneapAndy Sneap
Andy "Undie" Sneap is an English record producer, recording engineer, mixer, guitarist, and songwriter. He is best known for producing and mixing many acclaimed heavy metal albums.-Musician:...
. However, according to Nevermore's official website, on the day of the show, Warrel Dane fell ill with an infection, eventually resulting in the necessity of seeing a doctor at a hospital in Dortmund, Germany. Doctors insisted that he be kept at the hospital and the show was canceled that evening. Apologetic to their fans, Nevermore agreed with the local venue to perform the show on October 11, 2006. The double DVD set would also include a Nevermore documentary, all of the band's promo videos and past recordings from their 11 year career. The DVD was released on October 20, 2008, and is entitled The Year of the Voyager
The Year of the Voyager
The Year Of The Voyager is a double DVD/CD released by Nevermore. It was released in Europe on October 20, 2008 and in North America on November 25, 2008 via Century Media. The set covers the "This Godless Endeavor" touring cycle, starting with live footage from the U.S...
.
On August 30, 2007, it was announced that Steve Smyth would no longer be a member of the band, citing personal and business reasons for the departure. He stated that he would also be touring with Danish metal band Hatesphere
Hatesphere
Hatesphere is a Danish death and thrash metal band from Aarhus. The band was formed in 1998 by guitarist Peter “Pepe” Hansen. As of 2010, the band consists of vocalist Esben "Esse" Hansen, guitarists Peter “Pepe” Hansen, and Jakob Nyholm, bass player Jimmy Nedergaard and drummer Mike Park. The band...
as they supported Behemoth and later Dimmu Borgir, and would also be working on the release of The Esseness Project, an all-instrumental progressive rock album. Dane and Loomis entered the studio, each to record a solo album. Dane recorded Praises to the War Machine
Praises to the War Machine
Praises to the War Machine is a heavy metal album by Nevermore vocalist Warrel Dane, released on April 25, 2008. The album was produced by Peter Wichers, who was tapped by Dane to work on the album while Wichers was still a member of Soilwork. After leaving that band in 2007, Wichers co-wrote the...
and Loomis recorded Zero Order Phase
Zero Order Phase
Jeff Loomis explained in an interview that the album had been written after the end of This Godless Endeavor tour. Loomis wrote two months before starting production. Zero Order Phase was recorded during a month and a half, at the Robert Lang Studios in Richmond Beach, Washington, with producer...
, both released in 2008. Later that year, the band released their first ever live concert CD/DVD titled The Year of the Voyager
The Year of the Voyager
The Year Of The Voyager is a double DVD/CD released by Nevermore. It was released in Europe on October 20, 2008 and in North America on November 25, 2008 via Century Media. The set covers the "This Godless Endeavor" touring cycle, starting with live footage from the U.S...
, the only release to feature veteran touring guitarist Chris Broderick
Chris Broderick
Christopher Broderick is the virtuoso guitarist of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California...
, who departed to join Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
.
The Obsidian Conspiracy and Future (2010-present)
In an interview with Komodo Rock published in July, Jeff Loomis said that "I actually have six or seven songs already for the new Nevermore record. I'm about half way there, and we're going to be going into the studio probably some time in the early fall." Nevermore were one of the first bands to be confirmed for Wacken Open AirWacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is a summer open air heavy metal music festival. It takes place annually in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany...
2009, where they performed alongside many bands including Motorhead, DragonForce
DragonForce
DragonForce are an English power metal band from London. Formed in 1999, the group is known for its long and fast guitar solos, fantasy-based lyrics, and electronic sounds in their music to add to their retro video game-influenced sound. Guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman are the only two...
and HammerFall
HammerFall
HammerFall is a power metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak.- Early days :...
. Nevermore entered the studio in August with producer and Soilwork
Soilwork
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork .Their sound is a fusion of the classic...
guitarist Peter Wichers
Peter Wichers
Peter Wichers is best known as one of the founding members of Swedish melodic death metal band, Soilwork. From 1995 until late 2005, when he announced his departure from the band, he was known as the lead guitarist and also a songwriter, especially on their Stabbing the Drama album...
to record their long-awaited 7th album The Obsidian Conspiracy
The Obsidian Conspiracy
The Obsidian Conspiracy is the seventh album by American heavy metal band Nevermore. The album was released on June 8, 2010 in North America by Century Media and was released at the end of May in Europe. The band's previous album, This Godless Endeavor was released in 2005, making the five year gap...
. The recording was completed in October 2009 and was released the 8th of June 2010 in America, and the 31st of May 2010 in the EU On June 1, 2010, Nevermore announced a North American Tour in Fall with openers Warbringer
Warbringer
Warbringer is an American thrash metal band. The band formed in 2004. Warbringer is signed to Century Media Records. Century Media signed Warbringer after seeing them at a local show in LA. Originally, a Century Media rep was at the show to see another LA thrash metal band but decided to sign...
, Hatesphere
Hatesphere
Hatesphere is a Danish death and thrash metal band from Aarhus. The band was formed in 1998 by guitarist Peter “Pepe” Hansen. As of 2010, the band consists of vocalist Esben "Esse" Hansen, guitarists Peter “Pepe” Hansen, and Jakob Nyholm, bass player Jimmy Nedergaard and drummer Mike Park. The band...
and Blackguard.
Possible Disbandment / Hiatus (2011)
On April 11, 2011, Nevermore cancelled their scheduled North American tour with Symphony X. Later on April 21, 2011, long time and founding members Jeff Loomis and Van Williams announced their departure from Nevermore citing personal and musical differences. In addition, on May 3rd, 2011 it was announced that Nevermore had cancelled their entire Australian tour. However in July 2011 Warrel Dane announced that Nevermore is not dead, and right now his main focus is on Sanctuary. Warrel Dane also mentioned that it'll be hard to keep Nevermore legacy alive, since Jeff Loomis will be tough to replace.Genre
Nevermore incorporates elements from a variety of metal sub-genres, making it difficult to categorize their music. Their sound includes elements of thrash metalThrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, power metal
Power metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
, amongst others. They also have used death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
traits such as low tuned and fast paced riffing. The press have used several other genres to describe Nevermore's sound including groove metal
Groove metal
Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It was often used to describe Pantera and Exhorder.- Characteristics and origins :Pantera's Cowboys from Hell album from 1990 was described as "groundbreaking" and "blueprint-defining" for the groove metal genre...
, technical speed metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
, technical thrash metal, progressive power/thrash metal, death/thrash metal, and melodic thrash metal. In an interview on The Hard Report, Warrel Dane casually remarked "...power metal, or whatever Metal this is." However in an interview at Metalmania in 2006 singer Warrel Dane doesn't explicitly disagree with the many genres the band has been put in over the years, but he does however say "I don't think we're power metal."
Band members
Current- Warrel DaneWarrel DaneWarrel Dane is the lead singer of the progressive metal band Nevermore. He is also the singer of the metal band Sanctuary, who have recently reformed...
– vocals (1991–present) - Jim SheppardJim SheppardJim Sheppard is an American musician.He is the bassist and founding member of the progressive metal band, Nevermore, and its predecessor, SanctuaryHe and singer Warrel Dane are certified chefs, and formerly owned a restaurant in Seattle....
– bass guitar (1991–present)
Former
- Jeff LoomisJeff LoomisJeff Loomis is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore.-Early days:...
– guitars, backing vocals (1991–2011) - Mark Arrington – drums (1991–1995)
- Van WilliamsVan Williams (musician)Van Williams is the former drummer of Nevermore. Van Williams hails from New York where he began his music career in various bands, later relocating to Seattle, Washington in 1993...
– drums (1995–2011) - Pat O'BrienPat O'Brien (guitarist)Pat O'Brien is the lead guitarist for the death metal band Cannibal Corpse. He was born in Northern Kentucky. He graduated from Conner High School in Hebron, Kentucky in 1983. He currently resides in Florida and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He owns a collection of guns...
– guitar (1996–1997) - Tim CalvertTim CalvertTim Calvert is an American metal guitarist. In the mid 1980s he began his career in a thrash metal band called Militia. He then received wide attention throughout the thrash community when he joined Forbidden in 1989, playing on their second album Twisted into Form, co-writing much of the material,...
– guitar (1997–2000) - Steve SmythSteve SmythSteve Smyth is the guitarist for the metal band Forbidden.-Biography:Smyth was born in Northern California and started his career in the female-fronted melodic progressive metal band Ariah after graduation in 1988. Ariah never released an official studio album, but they recorded a few songs and...
– guitar, backing vocals (2004–2007)
Live
- Curran Murphy – guitar (2000–2001, 2003–2004)
- Chris BroderickChris BroderickChristopher Broderick is the virtuoso guitarist of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. He currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California...
– guitar (2001–2003, 2006, 2007) - James MacDonoughJames MacDonoughJames MacDonough born on April 3, 1970 in Jacksonville, Florida U.S.A. is a professional bass guitarist. He has played with Iced Earth, Nevermore, and most recently, Megadeth....
– bass (2006) - Tim Johnston – bass (2007)
- Attila Vörös – guitar (2010–present)
- Dagna Silesia - bass (2011-present)
Discography
Studio albums- NevermoreNevermore (album)Nevermore is the eponymous debut album by Seattle progressive metal band Nevermore. Released in 1995 under Century Media, it was singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard's first release after departing from their previous band, Sanctuary, in 1994...
(1995) - The Politics of EcstasyThe Politics of Ecstasy (album)-Personnel:*Warrel Dane - vocals*Jeff Loomis - guitar*Pat O'Brien - guitar*Jim Sheppard - bass*Van Williams - drums*Produced by Neil Kernon...
(1996) - Dreaming Neon BlackDreaming Neon Black-Credits:Nevermore* Warrel Dane - vocals* Jim Sheppard - bass* Jeff Loomis - guitars* Tim Calvert - guitars* Van Williams - drumsAdditional personnel* Christine Rhoades - additional vocalsProduction* Neil Kernon - production, mixing, mastering...
(1999) - Dead Heart in a Dead WorldDead Heart in a Dead WorldDead Heart in a Dead World is the fourth studio album by heavy metal band Nevermore, released in July 2000. In a style comparable to a darker, heavier Queensrÿche, its songs range topics such as criticism of drug possession penalties to rejection of religion. The album also features a cover of...
(2000) - Enemies of RealityEnemies of RealityBonus videos # "Enemies of Reality" # "I, Voyager" # "Enemies of Reality" -Limited edition DVD tracklist:# "Believe in Nothing" # "Next in Line" # "What Tomorrow Knows"...
(2003) - This Godless EndeavorThis Godless Endeavor-Credits:The Band:*Warrel Dane - lead vocals*Jeff Loomis - guitar*Steve Smyth - guitar*Jim Sheppard - bass*Van Williams - drumsGuest Musician:*James Murphy - Special guest lead guitar on "The Holocaust of Thought"Production:...
(2005) - The Obsidian ConspiracyThe Obsidian ConspiracyThe Obsidian Conspiracy is the seventh album by American heavy metal band Nevermore. The album was released on June 8, 2010 in North America by Century Media and was released at the end of May in Europe. The band's previous album, This Godless Endeavor was released in 2005, making the five year gap...
(2010)