The new era of Nevermore officially began earlier today, April 1, 2026, as the band took the stage in Istanbul, Turkey, for their first live performance with their newly assembled lineup.
The current formation features guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams, alongside guitarist Jack Cattoi, bassist Semir Özerkan, and vocalist Berzan Önen. The concert marked the first time this lineup performed together in front of an audience, signaling the start of a fresh chapter for the band.
The Istanbul debut arrives after a period of significant changes and setbacks for the group, including the cancellation of their planned appearance at ProgPower USA XXV, scheduled for September 9–12, 2026 at Center Stage Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
That withdrawal was announced after the band issued a statement explaining that delays in obtaining a work permit for their singer made it impossible to proceed with the U.S. festival performance.
Addressing the situation, Nevermore said in a statement last week: “A MESSAGE FOR OUR US FANS: We hear your requests for a U.S. tour loud and clear, and we want it to happen just as much as you do,” the band shared. “The reason it hasn’t yet is simple — getting the work permit for our singer is taking much longer than anticipated. We’ll get it done, but unfortunately we aren’t quite there yet. Sadly, it also means that we won’t be able to perform at ProgPower USA this year.”
The group made sure to extend their regrets to the festival’s promoter and staff, adding: “Sincere apologies to Glenn, the ProgPower USA crew and our US fans, and thanks for understanding.”
Despite the disappointing news for North American concertgoers, the band assured listeners that fresh material is currently in the works. They also promised a proper stateside return next year once the visa issues are fully resolved.
“New music is forthcoming, and we’ll finally be back on stages in the States performing it live in 2027. We owe it to all of you and promise we’ll make it worth the wait. In light of all of this, we are actively booking more international shows for later this year. Announcements for those will happen soon,” the statement concluded.
Loomis and Williams previously released a joint statement expressing their excitement about the partnership with Reigning Phoenix Music and their upcoming live debut: “We are thrilled to announce that Nevermore has officially signed with Reigning Phoenix Music! It was obvious from the start that they were the perfect partner for the new era of Nevermore. Their passion for metal music combined with the extensive industry pedigree of their team made the choice easy. We can’t wait to get back on stage in front of our fans in Istanbul on April 1st, and we are just as excited to finish writing and putting together the new Nevermore album!”
Nevermore originally disbanded in 2011 after Loomis and Williams departed due to personal conflicts with bassist Jim Sheppard and vocalist Warrel Dane. Dane, who sadly passed away in 2017, once bluntly referred to the group as “the greatest band that alcohol ever ruined.”
Before their split, the Seattle band carved out a massive legacy with precision songwriting and emotional intensity, releasing landmark albums like Dead Heart In A Dead World and This Godless Endeavor. Over the years, the group featured an impressive roster of guitarists, including Pat O’Brien, Tim Calvert, Steve Smyth, and Chris Broderick.
Following the breakup, the members stayed busy. Loomis released solo records like Zero Order Phase and Plains Of Oblivion, co-founded Conquering Dystopia, and spent nearly a decade playing on albums like Will To Power and Deceivers with Arch Enemy. Meanwhile, Williams played with Ashes Of Ares and Ghost Ship Octavius.
