They started in the beginning of the 1990s, when the band Sanctuary 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. 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.
By the end of 1994, the band assumed a stable line-up, which saw the additions of drummer Van Williams and former Sanctuary touring guitarist Jeff Loomis. In 1995 Nevermore released its first, self-titled, album through Century Media Records. This album received much attention and specialized review, as its release was followed by an European tour with Blind Guardian and a North American tour with Death, both internationally-renowned bands.
Second guitarist Pat O'Brien joined the band prior to the release of the "In Memory" EP, 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 guitarist Tim Calvert, who had previously contributed to Nevermore through songwriting, replaced O'Brien as on guitar.
Three years without releases followed, and in 1999 the album "Dreaming Neon Black" 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 albums 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 long-time 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 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.
Their fifth album, "Enemies of Reality", 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 of 2005. Nevermore then toured on Dave Mustaine's Gigantour during the summer of 2005. In 2006 they toured with Disturbed. They are also playing in direct support to In Flames on the second leg of their 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, he ultimately underwent a kidney transplant operation (which was successful). Warrel Dane 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.
According to the Official Nevermore website, www.nevermore.tv, their show on September, 12 2006 at the Zeche club in Bochum, Germany was to be filmed for Nevermore's first full length DVD. This event was captured by 7 cameras and the live recording was produced by Andy Sneap. The double DVD set includes a Nevermore documentary, all of the bands promo videos and past recordings from their whole career to date. This DVD was expected to be released in early 2007, but was pushed back and eventually came out the following year (2008).
In August 2007, Steve Smyth stated that he will be parting ways with Nevermore. He is currently promoting his solo album that was recently released, The EssenEss Project.
2007 was a slow year for Nevermore as Warrel Dane, Van Williams and Jeff Loomis all worked on their own side projects for a good part of the year, only taking time off to do various festivals and a small tour.
Nevermore released "The Year of the Voyager" in 2008. It is a double DVD / CD of live material.
In late 2009 Nevermore entered the studio with Peter Wichers to record their seventh album The Obsidian Conpiracy. It was released May 31st in Europe and June 8th in America. They also completed their line-up with the addition of Hungarian Guitarist Attila Vörös. The Obsidian Conspiracy is also available in a limited edition box with a bonus disc titled Shed Like Loomis (featuring sheet music and guitar tabs and videos of Jeff Loomis playing guitar for two of the new songs), postcards featuring artwork and lyrics, and a digipak version of the album with two bonus cover tracks (The Tea Party's Temptation, and The Doors' Crystal Ship).
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 3, 2011, it was announced that Nevermore had cancelled their entire Australian tour. Fans assumed the band had broken up until 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. Both Jeff Loomis and Warrel Dane talked about the possibility of a reunion, the latter citing that the band split amicably. Dane went on to say in a later interview, that while he does want to do another Nevermore record, he wouldn't do it without Jeff Loomis.
Last lineup of members:
Warrel Dane - vocals
Jim Sheppard - bass
Attila Vörös - touring guitarist
Former members:
Mark Arrington - drums, percussion (1991–1994)
Adam Gardner - alternative percussion (live, 1992–1993)
Pat O'Brien - rhythm guitars (1994–1996)
Tim Calvert - rhythm guitars (1997–2000)
James MacDonough - bass (live, 2006)
Curran Murphy - rhythm guitars (live, 2002–2004)
Steve Smyth - rhythm guitars (2004–2007)
Chris Broderick - rhythm guitars (live, 2003, 2006, 2007)
Jeff Loomis - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar (1991–2011)
Van Williams - drums (1995–2011)
Final Product
Nevermore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They exploit it, then package it and profit from the people who die
Look at the world, look at the hell, look at the hate that we've made
Look at the final product, a world in slow decay
I'm told that all your seeds are black
I've learned the question is unanswered and opaque
Solo: Smith
We're witnessing a famine of the innocent
Did they die for religion or the government?
Because if your god won't do, their god will starve you
Look at the world, look at the hell, look at the hate that we've made
Look at the final product, a world in slow decay
I'm told that all your seeds are black
I've learned the question is unanswered and opaque
There are those that believe the world is ending again
That impending armageddon is enevitable and waiting
Solo: Loomis
The last survivor barely breathing
Should I run or will I fall? How have I survived at all?
Solo: Loomis
I'm told that all your seas are black
I've learned the question is unanswered and opaque
Solo: Smith
We live in a time of revolution
We swim the silent seas of sanity gone
In the song Final Product, Nevermore is drawing attention to the media’s exploitation of tragic suicides, packaging that tragedy to increase profit while the people that died are forgotten. The lyrics are a reflection of the world - the hate, the hell, and the decay that exists. The use of the word “look” emphasizes the need to take a step back and truly observe the state of the world. The song reflects on the impenetrable mystery of death, questioning whether God or government was responsible for the deaths. The lyrics create an image of the world being in slow decay, with all seeds being black, and the question unanswered and opaque.
The lyrics also address how we live in a time of revolution, where sanity has gone out the window and we are running out of resources. It also mentions that amidst all the chaos, there are people who believe that the world is ending again, and that the inevitable Armageddon is waiting for us. The line “The last survivor barely breathing, Should I run or will I fall? How have I survived at all?” emphasizes the bleak and desperate situation we find ourselves in. The addition of guitar solos throughout the song adds to the haunting and dark tone of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
The media loves the latest tragic suicide
Media showcases and monetizes every suicide incident.
They exploit it, then package it and profit from the people who die
Media exploits suicide incidents for their own gains by repackaging and selling it to people.
Look at the world, look at the hell, look at the hate that we've made
Observe the world we live in, filled with hatred and chaos.
Look at the final product, a world in slow decay
The world is slowly decaying due to the consequences of our actions.
I'm told that all your seeds are black
Narrator is told that everything one starts with turns out to have negative outcomes.
I've learned the question is unanswered and opaque
Narrator knows the answer to the question is unknowable and mysterious.
We're witnessing a famine of the innocent
Innocent people are suffering and dying due to the current state of the world.
Did they die for religion or the government?
The artist wonders if the government or religious beliefs played a role in these people's deaths.
Because if your god won't do, their god will starve you
If one god doesn't support you, then one's faith in that god may lead them to die of starvation by the hands of believers of another god.
There are those that believe the world is ending again
People believe that the end of the world is imminent.
That impending armageddon is enevitable and waiting
The destruction of the world is expected and anticipated.
The last survivor barely breathing
A lone survivor is struggling to keep going.
Should I run or will I fall? How have I survived at all?
The survivor questions whether they have the strength to continue living.
We live in a time of revolution
The world is currently undergoing a period of revolution and change.
We swim the silent seas of sanity gone
As society changes and shifts into unknown territories, we are navigating through new and unfamiliar aspects of life.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Titto 530
One of the most unique lyricist and voices in metal. RIP Warrel.
xyster1111
Guy was Fuckin wicked...Sooooooo good
Jonathan Yocom
He’s the 7 string version of Ronnie James dio
Heavy Metal Patriot
Guaranteed
Scott Martin
Van Williams doesn't get enough mention. Sure they had Jeff and Warrel but Van was a machine back there on those drums!
Dentro da área
Verdade brother, Van Williams um monstro na bateria
Slack Jaw
Didn't appreciate these guys enough when i was younger. RIP Warrel. Unique voice.
JaxJordan35
A classic masterpiece of a song from a classic masterpiece of an album. RIP Warrel Dane.
Svet Kant
What a voice and what a band. Absolutely outstanding. RIP Warrel =(
Tidelsson
Incredible album, one of my top 10. Both lyrics and music are a blast. Still remember when they disbanded, it was a shock, left us “swimming in the silent seas of solitude” . RIP Warrel.