Jeff Loomis and Van Williams have set out why founding bassist Jim Sheppard was left out when they put Nevermore back together, saying the two of them wanted to build the new lineup around people in the same frame of mind.
Speaking to Italy’s “TrueMetal.it“, the guitarist and drummer spoke about Sheppard‘s absence.
Loomis said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “It’s just we haven’t spoken to Jim in, like, so long… We decided just to move on from the negativity. We wanted people on our same level of thinking and people on our same page. And when you go on stage with people that are thinking like you, like, positive, it makes for such a bigger force as a band. And there was a lot of negativity going on at that time.”
Williams followed: “Fortunately, Jeff and I kept in touch since the band broke up. We were always really good pals on the road, and we all were, actually, at one point, and then the separation happened, it seemed. But when the split-up happened, we stayed in touch throughout this long period of time when he was in Arch Enemy, and I was doing my things or whatever, and we just supported each other, and even personal things. We both went through things, and we just stayed positive with those things. Unfortunately, Jim was part of something that we weren’t really in contact with because of a lot of that negative space back then, and that we could tell it’s not gonna change. People have to change for themselves. And I can’t blame it all on one person or anything like that, but it just… We knew we couldn’t go back backwards ’cause that would be backwards, and not knowing where he’s been in this space for the amount of time, but knowing the individuals, that it’s still not gonna be a good thing. We needed fresh energy, and we made sure we had permission to continue with that fresh energy before anything. So we didn’t owe anyone a call or anything. It’s just that’s the way it was ’cause the higher-ups told us we were okay to go ahead, and that’s what we did. Nothing against the guy — not at all — but it’s just for us to start fresh in a new mindset, we had to go this direction personally.”
Loomis and Williams began rebuilding Nevermore in 2024 through open auditions. The completed lineup and a deal with Reigning Phoenix Music were announced in February: Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan of Oceans Of Slumber and Necrofier on bass, and Berzan Önen of Inner Urge and My Torment on vocals.
The new lineup played its first show on April 1 at a sold-out IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş in Istanbul, the home city of both Önen and Özerkan, and the band’s first concert since 2011. A new album is in progress, and the band is supporting Judas Priest on the closing European dates of the “Faithkeepers” tour this month.
Nevermore effectively ended in 2011, when Loomis and Williams announced they were leaving over personal differences with Sheppard and singer Warrel Dane. Dane later described the group as “the greatest band that alcohol ever ruined.”
Dane died in December 2017 in São Paulo, Brazil, while recording the solo album Shadow Work, which was released after his death. He was reported to have suffered a heart attack overnight and could not be revived.
When Loomis and Williams first announced they were searching worldwide for a singer and a bassist, Williams addressed the decision not to contact Sheppard.
“Some people think it’s disrespectful not to involve Jim or inform him of our plans. But those who feel that way don’t know the history of the band or the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to this decision. While it may not have been the most ideal approach, the reality is that there hasn’t been communication with Jim in years,” he said at the time.
Williams added: “We felt that sometimes, for the sake of a fresh start, it’s necessary to move on from relationships that may no longer be conducive to growth or new beginnings. We made this decision with the intention of honoring the legacy of the band while moving forward in a way that felt right for us at the time. That said, we wish him good health and he is free to pursue whatever path he chooses. Without going into too much detail, I’ll just say respect goes both ways, and certain things became irreconcilable over time for us… I wish the situation with Jim were different, but the past has brought us here.”
Sheppard, who played on every Nevermore album, gave his own account in a statement issued to Blabbermouth on January 4, 2025.
He said: “In my heart, Nevermore will always be Warrel, Jeff and I living in a one-room apartment, slaves to an eight-track recording machine, non-stop songwriting insanity. We were driven, we were hungry… To quote Dave Mustaine, we were ready to ‘smile, eat s**t and ask for more!'”
“True, I’ve been retired. I enjoy my new life in Alaska following bears with my wife Priscila, a wildlife photographer.”
“My opinion of [Loomis‘s and Williams‘s] press release [announcing the Nevermore comeback is] Van came across self-promoting and Jeff felt very sincere; he truly wants to capture a little piece of the magic we held.”
“I’m disappointed no one reached out to me concerning the name Nevermore, a name that means blood, sweat and tears. With that said, I wish them the best.”
