Save the Date: Nevermore Announced Their First Reunion Show
After months of talk about their impending reunion and whether certain past members are okay with it going forward, Nevermore has officially unveiled one of their first (if not their very first) reunion show. And it’s happening at one of the biggest stages of the year — Wacken Open Air 2026.
Earlier this morning, organizers released the initial list of bands planning to play next year’s Wacken and Nevermore was among those listed. Sure, we don’t know who will play bass or handle vocals, but at least we know guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams will be part of the whole thing.
Unless a date is revealed that takes place before Wacken 2026, it will be the band’s first show since March 2011. Just one month afterward, the band cancelled their North American tour with Symphony X. Shortly after that, Loomis and Williams quit the band over issues within the band. Despite all that, then-vocalist Warrel Dane said later that year that Nevermore hadn’t broken up and that he’d simply opted to focus on Sanctuary at the time and that he wouldn’t make a new Nevermore record without Loomis on board anyway. Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack on December 13, 2017. He was just 56 years old.
Now, with Loomis having left Arch Enemy to focus on Nevermore’s return, things have been moving forward. A search has been on for the band’s new bassist and vocalist and they’re obviously booking live dates. Back in March, Loomis and Williams announced they were almost ready to announce the band’s full lineup following a worldwide search for replacements.
“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 want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to submit auditions. The level of talent and passion we saw was truly inspiring, and we deeply appreciate each and every one of you who put your heart into this process. Your support and patience during this time has meant the world to us, and we can’t wait to share what’s next! Stay tuned there’s a lot coming your way soon! We’re gearing up for the next chapter of Nevermore, and we promise it will be worth the wait.”
Whether that will be true or not remains to be seen. Hopefully we’ll know more about the band’s current lineup and their intentions moving forward as we get closer to next year’s Wacken Open Air.
