NEVERMORE Announces Their First Reunion Show

Nevermore is officially set to storm the stage again, and the place they've chosen for their return is Wacken Open Air 2026 (at least that's the first show they've announced).

Right now, Nevermore's exact lineup is still under wraps, but the band has confirmed that the core will include guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams. They've also locked in a brand-new bassist and vocalist — both of whom remain a mystery for the moment.

In April 2011, Nevermore canceled their North American tour with Symphony X, and soon after, founding members Jeff Loomis and Van Williams left the band due to personal and musical differences. The group also canceled their planned Australian tour that May. Although then-Nevermore vocalist Warrel Dane stated in July 2011 that Nevermore had not broken up and focused on his work with Sanctuary, he acknowledged it would be difficult to continue without Loomis, emphasizing he would not make another Nevermore record without him.

Both Dane and Loomis expressed that a reunion was possible and that the split was amicable. Tragically, Dane died of a heart attack on December 13, 2017, at 56 years old.

Nevermore's return is no casual decision. Loomis explained in a recent interview with Metal Magnitude that part of his motivation for leaving Arch Enemy, a band he had been with for the past decade, was to bring Nevermore back to life.

"Yeah, there's some incredible stuff coming up. I've had a tremendous last 10 years with the band Arch Enemy… I left the band about a year ago because I wanted to kind of be behind the driver's wheel of my own music again. So I'm reforming my old band called Nevermore. And that was a very big part of my life for a long time."

Reforming a band like Nevermore isn't as simple as making a few calls to old friends. The death of Dane left a huge void, not only in the lineup but also in the band's identity. Loomis and Williams knew that choosing the right replacements for both vocalist and bassist would be crucial. That's why they opened up a global search earlier this year, inviting musicians from around the world to audition. The response was overwhelming – more than 650 submissions poured in from talented players eager to be part of the resurrection.

"The final tally is in—we've received over 650 submissions from bass players and singers around the world!" the band wrote in a public update. "We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who put in the time and effort to be part of this process. Your passion and dedication mean a lot to us… Stay tuned—more updates to come!"

After months of reviewing auditions, Loomis revealed that the lineup is set, saying, "The wait is over! We are beyond excited to announce that after an incredible audition process, we've assembled a lineup that honors our legacy while forging a new path forward… We can't wait to share what's next!"

Of course, this reunion hasn't been without its controversies. Jim Sheppard, Nevermore's co-founder and original bassist, initially criticized the move, calling it "completely disrespectful." His main frustration seemed to be that no one had reached out to him before making the decision to bring the band back.

"I'm disappointed no one reached out to me concerning the name Nevermore, a name that means blood, sweat, and tears," Sheppard said. Still, he eventually offered a tempered show of support, adding, "With that said, I wish them the best."

Despite the drama, momentum for Nevermore's return is unstoppable. Loomis has made it clear that 2025 will be the year the band fully reactivates with this new lineup, and Wacken 2026 will be the massive, high-profile debut of that reborn version (unless they announce another show that comes before it). For fans, that means months of speculation, teasers, and perhaps even a single or two before the big show.

Loomis and Williams know the expectations are sky-high, and from the way they've been talking, they're more than ready to meet them. "We're gonna come back, and we're gonna revamp the band, and it's gonna be bigger and better than it ever was," Loomis promised.