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Everyone's Replaceable, Hipsters Out Of Metal!, What the fuck??

WTF SRSLY: LOOMIS, WILLIAMS OUT OF NEVERMORE

 Thursday, April 21st, 2011 at 2:20pm by

You might still be feeling groovy from a ganj-packed 4/20 yesterday, all good vibes and hopeful smiles. Well, snap out of it cuz here comes a piece of bad news. Nevermore shall never be the same … more:

In a mutual decision Jeff Loomis and Van Williams (above, right) have decided to leave Nevermore. The time has come to pursue our own paths from the group. Due to internal struggles and ongoing issues within the band, we feel it is our time to move on. We would like to thank all of our fans around the world for their years of love, support and enthusiasm. This was not an easy decision but a very necessary one at this point, may we all meet again someday, somewhere in time.

Oh my. I feared some sort of danger when Nevermore singer Warrel Dane declared a renewed devotion to his old band Sanctuary. I got scareder last week when it was announced that Nevermore dropped off the suddenly Soilwork-less Symphony X tour. And now this.

–ADF

  • adam

    2011 just became the worst year EVER!

  • http://dystrophy.bandcamp.com devin townsend’s lost skullet

    FFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

  • Manrique

    I just want everything to die right now.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

    fucking awful awful awful awful news. i want to throw up.

  • zing
    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

      pretty much.

    • http://dystrophy.bandcamp.com devin townsend’s lost skullet

      too soon

  • http://www.killerhype.com Killer Hype

    Wow!! WTF. That sucks.

  • foobear

    Never been a fan of Nevermore, but I’ve always like Loomis’ solo stuff (Dane’s vocals just ruin it that much for me).

    So, needless to say, I’m pretty pumped.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Aaron-Hooper/100000303154437 Aaron Hooper

      I agree, while I could stand his vocals, I’m much more excited for his new stuff now.

      • Slaughterhouse

        I fully agree. I love Nevermore musically but Dane always was off it seemed. I can’t wait to hear Loomis’ 2nd solo record

    • Perpetual Black Screen Name

      We are probably the only four people who see this as a good thing. FUCK YEA JEFF!! Bring on the second solo record. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. No more Warrell fuckhead Dane to ruin things.

      • Full Metal Life Jacket

        Make that 5. I couldn’t listen to that dude sing either.

        • http://headmarketingstrategies.com/ Headnuts

          +6….I hope Loomis does a full record with Keith Morrow!!! This is great news! Can’t wait for more instraMETAL!!!

    • Brendan Demeris

      Couldnt agree more, love jeffs solo work and loved the music of nevermore but that singing…. fuck that, ruined it for me. Bring on another solo album jeff and a new project without the wanky singing

      • Jewers

        Loomis away from Warrel Dane? Portnoy away from Labrie? Best. Year. Ever.

    • abe

      jeff is awesome, dane seemed to be steering the band in a sucky direction… im stoked … nevermore peaked at godless endeavor… Right on jeff.

  • Cw

    The guest solo on racecar is the best thing Loomis has ever done anyways….
    LET THE RAGE COMMENCE

    • Slaughterhouse

      Obviously you have never heard “Zero Order Phase”

      • cw

        sarcasm brah. not a big nevermore fan, but that was just a joke.
        although, racecar is a kickass tune

  • johan

    Why can’t Warrel Dane leave?

    • Will

      1230474092649138358062437651935132

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Aaron-Hooper/100000303154437 Aaron Hooper

        +inifity

    • logan

      -infinity
      and -infinity on this news

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Abdallah-Hamidavi/811105556 Abdallah Hamidavi

    Just what I thought would happen. Loomis is probably cocky and thinks he can release solo albums til the end of time. What he doesn’t realize is that while he’s a brilliant guitarist, his music is the same boring wankage without Warrel’s distinct and incredible voice. The combination of the two is what made Nevermore so great. Both Loomis’ and Dane’s solo albums are boring pieces of shit compared to even the worst Nevermore songs. This is a sad day for sure.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mtt-Fields/1035483747 Mätt Fields

      Jeff Loomis is actually one of the most kind and down to earth people I have ever met.

      • Alex

        yeah this is definitely Warrel and Jim’s fault. Jeff and Williams are super professional.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Warrel’s vocals have been going downhill with every album. Its Loomis’ songwriting that made them unique, that “wank” as you call it is what makes albums like This Godless Endeavor so endearing. Its ornamented as hell yet melodic, just like Baroque music but more dynamic. When Warrell took more control of the band, we got the Obsidian Conspiracy, which was watered down and boring as hell.

    • Slaughterhouse

      Do you have a link to your solo album so I can listen?

    • Perpetual Black Screen Name

      Your crazy man. Dane is utter shite. One of the WORST vocalists, ever. And egomaniac? You’re telling me that prick doesn’t strike you as a huge asshole?

  • Charlie

    From Warrel Dane on the Nevermore forums:

    “all I know is not dealing with egomaniacs will be refreshing”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Ashlock/1300561574 Christopher Ashlock

    Loomis “leaves” Nevemore? Hm. RIP Nevermore.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Nathan-Pierce/100000733884809 Nathan Pierce

    ALL OF MY RAGE.

  • SourDeez

    I wish bands were more open about the reasons for splits like this. It’s always “personal differences” and “issues.” I guess I kind of understand not wanting to create drama in the press but come on, you’re fucking rockstars! Own that shit! Just for once I want to hear “The singer fucked my sister, and sold my rig for meth money, so I knocked out the few teeth he had remaining and now I’m out of the band. Suck my dick.”

    • Charlie

      EXACTLY

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Glenn-Pillsbury/641369365 Glenn Pillsbury

      1

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Cleber-Monteiro/100000392246968 Cleber Monteiro

        2

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Pinson/1402489026 Chris Pinson

      I always liked “Dave is addicted to heroin and electrocuted Ron McGovney”

    • paganheart

      LOL. Can’t remember where I heard this, but someone said that “creative differences” is bandspeak for “if we have to spend one more minute in the same room together we’re gonna beat the living shit out of each other.’

  • Brian R.

    dane and shephard are drunks, and Loomis and Williams clearly got tired of dealing with it. that’s the story!

  • Kevy Metal

    Well… As sucky as that is, I’m happy I was able to meet them last year when we hosted an in-store signing at the record shop where I work. Simply some of the nicest people and musicians I’ve had the pleasure to talk to.

    Nevermore provided all of us with years and cds full of solid metal music. Best of luck to all of them!

  • Abaris

    finally.

    also scareder? dumbass.

  • The Overmatt

    GOD. DAMMIT.

    Just when I was going to see them for the first time too. Fucking everything.

    • CS Degenerate

      seconded

    • paganheart

      Thirded…shit, sometimes it seems like every band I discover and start getting into, something shitty happens to them (members leave or die, they break up, get dumped by their label, etc.) I just discovered Nevermore when The Obsidian Conspiracy came out (thanks largely to this site) and now this. Fuck. Oh well, back catalog here I come…hopefully it all works out for the best, but to put it mildly, you just don’t replace a guitar player like Jeff Loomis that easily. The future doesn’t look bright for Nevermore.

      • The Overmatt

        Jeff Loomis pretty much WAS Nevermore, so I think Warrel and Jim will just carry on with the reunited Sanctuary instead.

        And paganheart, definitely start with This Godless Endeavour, Dead Heart In a Dead World, Dreaming Neon Black, and The Politics of Ecstasy if you’re looking to get into them. The other albums are great too, but those four are the cream of the crop.

        • paganheart

          Many thanks! Might have to check out Sanctuary as well.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Gavin/1396340262 Mark Gavin

    Yeah, fuck this. Whatever they are now, they’re not Nevermore anymore.

  • The Big One

    There is no god.

    • Alex

      ergo This Godless Endeavor…

      btw : Obsidian Conspiracy being their last album is salt in the wound, that album sucked compared to TGE

      • Gulliver’s Wang

        agreed. but a breakup after TGE would’ve been much harder to digest… Obsidian should have only been an EP…infact, it is on my ipod :) gotta love the digital age…

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

    Honestly my only problem with this is that it isn’t Loomis and Van kicking Warrel and Jim out of Nevermore – Nevermore is Loomis’ band. His guitar style defines them. But otherwise, think about it – Loomis and Van are world class musicians, Warrel WAS a great singer (lost that a long time ago) whos trying to put himself in the forefront of the band, which resulted in the snoozefest that was the Obsidian Conspiracy, and Jim is basically his bitch.

    Loomis and Van will come up with something 1000000000 times better I can guarantee, maybe get DiGiorgio on bass or (a man can dream) Chris Broderick just like the good old days. Not sure yet who I’d want to see on vocals, but either way I’m actually excited for Nevermore now – something I haven’t been able to say since the Obsidian Conspiracy came out.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Actually just had a thought – Tim Aymar on vox, rounded out with the musicians I listed above – that would be a fuckin killer band that would pwn the shit out of Obsidian Conspiracy or whatever Van and Sheppard do as “Nevermore”

      • False Nate

        I hope your dream comes true.

  • rey

    now they need to release a video clip when they audition guitarists for jeff’s replacement like DT

  • Dingas McCloud

    This is upsetting and also exciting. I’ve been a long time fan so obviously it sucks but I can’t wait to hear what Loomis does next…

  • Alex

    WHAT ABOUT ATTILA?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Fabian-Grn/100001053737775 Fabian Grün
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

    to be fair, Warrel *IS* Nevermore moreso than Loomis is/was.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Fuck no. Loomis wrote all the music. That > everything.

  • eetfuk

    Never got to see Nevermore live :( And now won’t for a long, long time. I’m ok with the band splitting up since they leave us a vast catalog of remarkable albums. But this sucks gargantuan balls.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jordan-Lunsford/100000821886561 Jordan Lunsford

    FIRST K.K. DOWNING AND NOW THIS??!?!?!?! FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

  • Dick Pepperfield

    No big deal. Nevermore was becoming stale anyway. Better this than trying to run the band into the ground deeper.

  • http://crescentshield.com Crescent Shield

    This gets more reaction on this site than KK leaving Priest. Wow.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jordan-Oates/1476540021 Jordan Oates

      well when you think about it Judas Priest literally had nothing left. Nevermore still had a chance to release another great record on par with DNB, DHiaDW, and TGE.

      • http://crescentshield.com Crescent Shield

        You obviously missed the last Priest tour.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jordan-Lunsford/100000821886561 Jordan Lunsford

      1

  • unholyjuggalo666

    this is great news know they have a reason to split up

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

      eat a turd salad.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      As obvious of a troll as this is I have to admit I still lol’d

      • unholyjuggalo666

        I’m not a troll I just don’t like Nevermore

  • Cory

    Welp. So much for Nevermore being a band.

  • Fufkin

    Well I’m sorry for the fans but I’m looking forward to hearing Loomis in a band without Warrel Dane on vocals. Just hope he doesn’t form one with James LaBrie.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Tom-Arquillo/100002159392127 Tom Arquillo

    I really like Nevermore. This sucks. For the record, i love Warrels voice.

    • Rik

      Me too. When I first heard the band I wasn’t too keen on them but they’ve grown on me to the point where I don’t think anyone else could be a better fit for the music.

  • Kervinator

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

  • Nigbot

    This sucks.
    Obsidian conspiracy had some awesome guitar work (that solo in your poison throne) but sucked for the most part.
    But frak, Jeff loomis is such a vital part of nevermore. He writes some of the coolest riffs around, whereas Dane warbles over them, the song Enemies of Reality has some horrendous vocals.

  • Noskaj

    There goes Jeff Loomis’ Schecter sponsorship.

    • False Nate

      Exactly my thought. Makes me glad I still have my Loomis FR :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Pft, Loomis was bigger than Nevermore by this point. He’ll be fine.

  • Vinter

    i was going to see them play live this summer for the first time, guess it just wont be the same now that loomis is gone
    fuck this

  • Adam

    Nevermore as a band may as well cease to exist.

  • Adrian

    dude. DUDE. WTF.
    One of my favorite bands of all time is suddenly no more. I feel like someone just died…
    …and this after the so-so TOC? At least if they would have done this after TGE it would have been a hell of a way to go out.
    Without those 2 Nevermore isn’t Nevermore. Fuck.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

    to the people saying loomis wrote all the music, he didn’t, a lot of classic nevermore songs were co-written or written with other guitarists. obviously he’ll be missed but he isn’t the whole band. also van williams is a severely underrated drummer and it’s a shame he had to leave too.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

      * BY other guitarists.

    • Jason

      Always thought Van was killer and should be playing with more bands while Nevermore was off of tour or out of the studio. Love his playing. As far as Loomis goes, he is obviously a killer player, but his riff writing on the last Nevermore record was way too busy and completely unmemorable, except for She Comes in Colors.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Matt-Hurley/1289730334 Matt Hurley

      Loomis still wrote – for example – the standout tracks on TGE like Born and the title track singlehandedly (I’m going to assume Warrel just wrote lyrics). Obsidian Conspiracy was basically another Warrel/Peter Wichers album, theres only a couple songs where I can hear Loomis’ songwriting style (…And The Maiden Spoke, the title track), I know I’ve said it so many times but the personality of the band was really missing on that album, and without any Loomis at all you can forget every having anything like TGE again.

      I have to agree on Van though. I mean I get that the guy was probably overshadowed by Jeffs fame, but that dude is a fuckin machine. I really hope he continues in music because he just deserves to continue to be awesome.

    • Eye of Newt

      Ben, dude. You should contact Jeff and Van and be their vocalist. Seriously. You rock.

  • Wanderer

    Considering that The Obsidian Conspiracy wasn’t that great of an album and now this whole mess, it might be a good time to put Nevermore to rest. They should avoid turning into another Fear Factory!

    I’m glad i got to see them live right after the release of This Godless Endeavor though; that was an awesome show.

    • Rik

      Fear Factory actually got away with it though, what with getting Dino back and getting awesome replacements for the other two. Nevermore without Jeff just can’t possibly work.

  • shane gillis

    It would be funny if they started a band with Ben Robson.

    • http://dystrophy.bandcamp.com devin townsend’s lost skullet

      i second this motion. Loomis/Williams/Robson project all shot via webcam

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Aaron-Hooper/100000303154437 Aaron Hooper

        Thirded, Ben get on it man, we’re all waiting!

        • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

          haha sorry guys but there’s no way that’s happening. not only do i not have any way of getting in contact with jeff or van, i’m also totally brok and don’t own a car or any professional equipment. i’m flattered though!

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ben-Robson/1375985482 Ben Robson

            *broke. also totally tired.

  • Aya

    This sucks. What about Asian tour? I thought I would finally have a chance to see Jeff Loomis play live. :(

  • http://rich0376@yahoo.com Rich0376

    Fuck, Fuckity, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck with a cherry on top!!!!!!

    Oh well, Hopefully Jeff Loomis and Van Williams put together an awesome new band.
    Glad I got to see Nevermore a few years ago opening up for Megadeth.

  • http://www.grotescofin.blogspot.com Blackened

    I realized that there’s a lot of vultures around here….

  • Deadly Thrasher

    You guys are fucking nuts!!! Dane is a lyrical God… Spec in spectrum… slaves to technology… I love Loomis… River Dragon solo.. but you all are crazy.. that Dane solo album stood on its own.. Loomis’s writing is awesome but that solo album got played maybe a dozen times.. I still throw on Dane’s Album. The bottom line here from a true Nevermore fan is that hopefully we will get two awesome bands from this split up… BUT Loomis needs a writer… which Dane was and is.

  • ShreddyK

    This solves Priest’s and DT’s respective needs for a guitarist and drummer.

  • Tom H

    Nevermore is homosex nevermore! Rejoice with me, Lord Brother!

    • ShreddyK

      Overwrought heart, in a homosex world.

      • Tom H

        Sometimes she does unimpressssive thiiinnngssss

        • ShreddyK

          Oh no…they found her in the sarcophagus!
          Baby Abigail was eating…
          Oh, I cannot tell you!

  • Rik

    Well this fucking sucks. There can be no Nevermore without Jeff Loomis. Never seen them live, and I was going to this year. Fuck.

  • IanHead

    This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s more like the great side and the poor/okay side of the band getting a formal severance. Hopefully Loomis and Williams might team up and fill their voids to create a band much better than Nevermore!