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)
Sell My Heart for Stones
Nevermore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did you ever realize your face is painted on my soul?
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Did you ever wonder why they all have gone away?
Did you ever realize that nothing changes, everything stays the same?
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Solo: Smyth
I will lay in the gentle hands of your controlling gaze
I will be your servant through your darkest days
I will make the sacrifice and change just for you
I will dive into the essence of your purest blue
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
The lyrics of "Sell My Heart for Stones" by Nevermore speak of a deep love that makes the singer willing to sacrifice everything, even their own heart, for their beloved. The opening lines, "Did you ever wonder why the wind blows cold? / Did you ever realize your face is painted on my soul?" evoke a sense of longing and a deeply felt connection. The singer is willing to catch their beloved when they fall and will lay in their gentle hands, be their servant through their darkest days, and make sacrifices just to stay with them.
The lyrics also express confusion and uncertainty, a sense of being lost between what's right and wrong. Lines such as "For I don't know right from wrong" and "nothing changes, everything stays the same" suggest that the singer is struggling to make sense of their relationship and their place in it.
The title of the song, "Sell My Heart for Stones," is a metaphor for giving everything up for love, even if it means getting nothing of real value in return. The phrase "heart of stone" is often used to describe someone who is cold and emotionless, and the singer is willing to become this person for their beloved. Ultimately, the song is a passionate declaration of love and devotion that speaks to the deep, complex emotions that come with any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever wonder why the wind blows cold?
Have you ever thought about why life can sometimes feel harsh and cold?
Did you ever realize your face is painted on my soul?
Have you ever understood the depth of my love for you and how intertwined you are with my being?
In between your whispers so sincere
In those fleeting moments when you speak honestly to me and share your heart
I'll catch you when you fall
I will be there to support you when you stumble and need someone to lean on
Through the eyes of broken innocence
Seeing the world and its pain with a youthful naivety that has been shattered
I'd sell my heart for stones
I would give up everything, even that which is most precious, for the sake of achieving something I desire
Leave it all behind and fade away
Completely letting go of the past and disappearing into the unknown
To feel your purest blue
To experience the essence of who you really are, your truest and most authentic self
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
I am attuned to your energy and must stay strong to support you through whatever challenges come our way
For I don't know right from wrong
I am willing to do whatever it takes to be with you, even if it means compromising my own moral compass
Did you ever wonder why they all have gone away?
Have you ever asked yourself why people come and go from our lives?
Did you ever realize that nothing changes, everything stays the same?
Have you ever come to see that the patterns of our lives repeat even as they seem to change on the surface?
I will lay in the gentle hands of your controlling gaze
I trust in your leadership and guidance, and am willing to surrender to your direction
I will be your servant through your darkest days
I will support and care for you even during the most challenging of times
I will make the sacrifice and change just for you
I am committed to making whatever changes are necessary to be the person you need me to be
I will dive into the essence of your purest blue
I will delve deeply into your true nature and emotions in order to understand you more fully
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN JOSEPH SMYTH, WARREL GEORGE BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TheJimwasp
Did you ever wonder why the wind blows cold?
Did you ever realize your face is painted on my soul?
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Did you ever wonder why they all have gone away?
Did you ever realize that nothing changes, everything stays the same?
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Solo: Smyth
I will lay in the gentle hands of your controlling gaze
I will be your servant through your darkest days
I will make the sacrifice and change just for you
I will dive into the essence of your purest blue
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
TheJimwasp
Did you ever wonder why the wind blows cold?
Did you ever realize your face is painted on my soul?
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Did you ever wonder why they all have gone away?
Did you ever realize that nothing changes, everything stays the same?
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Solo: Smyth
I will lay in the gentle hands of your controlling gaze
I will be your servant through your darkest days
I will make the sacrifice and change just for you
I will dive into the essence of your purest blue
In between your whispers so sincere
I'll catch you when you fall
Through the eyes of broken innocence
I'd sell my heart for stones
Leave it all behind and fade away
To feel your purest blue
I can feel your purest blue, for you I must be strong
For I don't know right from wrong
Maggie Mendoza
This was the first Nevermore song I've heard, years ago. No matter how much I listen to it, I always get shivers. Such a beautiful song.
Tobin
Love this band, so deep and melodic
Neto Pereira
The best singer of all time
gman hirt
rest in peace..another great singer rocking out with the the legends in heaven..
Kinnakeeter 1997
This band is frigging awesome. The album cover is what drew me in and rendered me curious about their music. Trust me, I was not disappointed.
Stijn Van De Vyver
Goddamnit, nevermore. You're making it really difficult for me to pick a favorite song.
Tam neki
So true.
Kultikron Vaan
Von Steiner dat feel since the second album was released. Going to miss Warrel and Nevermore something awful. I fell out of listening to metal for a bit, though it is my 'first love' with music. Just found out Warrel passed. The feels right now T_T
alexander ferus
\m/ its really great metal ,so excellent !!\m/