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)
Medicated Nation
Nevermore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My willing victim so sublime, one taste and you are mine
Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?
Solo: Loomis
Preaching words obsidian on the wings of shattered man
All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you
Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?
Now slap your vein
I'm the power of pain and pleasure symbiotic, I am, I am
In a medicated nation of blind neurotics, I am, I am
Psychotic pain baptized in pure narcotics, I am, I am
Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?
Trapped in dark seductive miracles, deified addictive rituals
All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you
Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?
Now slap your vein
I'm the power of pain and pleasure symbiotic, I am, I am
In a medicated nation of blind neurotics, I am, I am
Psychotic pain baptized in pure narcotics, I am, I am
All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you
The song "Medicated Nation" by Nevermore depicts a dark and sinister picture of a society that is controlled and numbed by drugs. The lyrics reference a "willing victim" who is seduced by the power of medication and enslaved by its effects. The imagery of a serpent coiled around the spine implies a creeping and insidious takeover of the individual's will and agency. The phrase "Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?" is repeated throughout the song and could be interpreted as a cry for help or a plea for human connection in a society that is increasingly isolated and driven by pharmaceuticals.
The song also speaks to the idea of addiction and the all-consuming nature of drugs. The lyrics describe the medication as having power over both pain and pleasure, suggesting that it can be both a crutch and a source of euphoria. The line "All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you" reinforces the idea of a loss of control and agency, with the individual being trapped in a cycle of dependence.
Overall, "Medicated Nation" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying too heavily on medication, both on a personal and societal level. It speaks to the potential for drugs to take over and numb individuals, leaving them disconnected and lost.
Line by Line Meaning
Slithering slow and serpentine coiled around your spine
The addiction is slowly taking over the person's life, like a serpent coiled around their backbone.
My willing victim so sublime, one taste and you are mine
The person has become a willing victim to the addiction and the addictive substance has taken control over them after only one taste.
Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?
The addiction is personified as something that needs to be fed and sustained, even during times when the person is in a broken and vulnerable state.
Preaching words obsidian on the wings of shattered man
The addiction is like a preacher, spreading its message of darkness and addiction to those who are already broken and struggling.
The sightless wait oblivious to the scourge that stains their hands
Those who are already addicted are oblivious to the harm that the addiction is causing them, blindly waiting for the next fix despite the harm it may cause.
All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you
The addictive substance is in control of every aspect of the person's life, from their emotions to their actions.
Now slap your vein
The addiction is so powerful that it is almost demanding the person to continue using the substance by injecting it into their veins.
I'm the power of pain and pleasure symbiotic, I am, I am
The addiction is seen as having a symbiotic relationship with the person, giving them both pain and pleasure at the same time.
In a medicated nation of blind neurotics, I am, I am
The addictive substance has become so prevalent in society that it has created a nation of people who are blind to the harm it is causing them and who are obsessed with getting their next fix.
Psychotic pain baptized in pure narcotics, I am, I am
The addiction is causing the person to experience both physical and mental pain, which the addictive substance is seen as 'baptizing' them in.
Trapped in dark seductive miracles, deified addictive rituals
The person is trapped in addictive habits and rituals, which are dark and seductive in nature, causing them to be almost worshipful of the addictive substance.
All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you
Repeating this line emphasizes the all-encompassing control that the addiction has over the person's life.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
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