Nevermore are back with three new members, a new label, and the first of many new shows.
A year on since drummer Van Williams and guitarist Jeff Loomis announced they were resurrecting Nevermore comes a quick flurry of announcements regarding the current status of the Seattle-born prog-thrash outfit. To whit: they’ve signed with Reigning Phoenix Music; their first gig since splitting back in 2011 will take place in Istanbul, Turkey on April 1; and their new members are Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and Berzan Önen on lead vocals.
In a joint statement, William and Loomis said, “We are thrilled to announce that Nevermore has officially signed with Reigning Phoenix Music! It was obvious from the start that they were the perfect partner for the new era of Nevermore. Their passion for metal music combined with the extensive industry pedigree of their team made the choice easy. We can’t wait to get back on stage in front of our fans in Istanbul on April 1st, and we are just as excited to finish writing and putting together the new Nevermore album!”
Reigning Phoenix Music Co-Founder Gerado Martinez added, “There are no words to describe how proud and excited RPM is at the prospect of being part of Nevermore’s next chapter. Having been a fan since 1995 when I saw them on tour with Death, I’ve followed them on their entire musical journey and cannot wait for what is yet to come.”
Formed in Seattle in 1992, Nevermore weathered numerous personnel changes until calling it quits in 2011 over personal and musical differences in what was nonetheless described as an amicable split. Talk of a reunion surfaced now and again over the years, but the deaths of vocalist Warrel Dane in 2017 and guitarist Tim Calvert in 2018 seemed to put an end to that.
Thus, it was a surprise when Williams and Loomis announced the band’s reformation last year, and certainly to no one so much as founding bassist Jim Sheppard, who said at the time, “I’m disappointed no one reached out to me concerning the name Nevermore, a name that means blood, sweat, and tears. With that said, I wish them the best.”
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