Some Unorganized Thoughts on the Death of Warrel Dane
- Nevermore were one of the few torch-bearers of true heavy metal in the late ’90s and early ’00s. Those were dark times for metalheads, but Nevermore carried the flag high and proud.
- I saw Warrel play live twice, both with Nevermore: on Gigantour in the mid ’00s and in New York City in 2010 on the Obsidian Conspiracy tour. The latter was one of the single tightest performances I have ever seen a band give. Just phenomenal. Ungodly.
- Warrel had a one of a kind voice. He successfully evolved from the piercing highs he was known for in Sanctuary into a more well-rounded vocalist in Nevermore. The highs, the lows, the grit, the charm… he had it all.
- Warrel was not well in recent years. Reports of his deteriorating condition occasionally bubbled up from various sources. Time — and his behavior — sadly caught up with him.
- I sincerely hope Jim Sheppard is taking good care of himself these days.
- It is absolutely criminal that Van Williams is not a consistently employed drummer. The guy is fucking incredible, and he’s the engine that made the band’s live show go. Next time a top-tier band needs a drummer, he should get the fucking call.
- Jeff Loomis is the only member of Nevermore who is still actively working in metal. What in the actual fuck.
- How interesting that none of Warrel’s former bandmates have said anything publicly about his death yet, other than this very brief note from Loomis.
- Adding insult to injury, it’s sad that Warrel died in Brazil, so far away from home. That must make it even more gut-wrenching for his family and friends.
- Dead Heart in a Dead World is the quintessential Nevermore album, right?
- “Believe in Nothing” might not be representative of Nevermore’s catalogue — it’s their big power ballad, and easily their softest and most poppy song — but my lord, Warrel’s vocals in the chorus are devastatingly haunting and gorgeous. That grit in his voice, even in the tenderest of moments… ugh, it kills me.
- Praises to the War Machine, Warrel’s first solo effort, was an absolute gem. Songs for days. Ex-Soilwork guitarist Peter Wichers was the perfect writing partner for Warrel, who delivered a hell of a performance.
- Warrel was actively recording his second solo record at the time of his death. What will become of those session files? I sure hope at least some vocals were recorded so we get to hear them eventually.
- I never met Warrel personally, but this one stings a lot.
- Rest in power, Warrel.
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