The return of Nevermore has been met with an emphatic response. The band’s current lineup brings together guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams with guitarist Jack Cattoi, bassist Semir Özerkan, and vocalist Berzan Önen. Nearly two years into the reunion, the band says this new incarnation already feels stronger and tighter than before.
That was especially evident in Istanbul, hometown of new vocalist Berzan Önen. In this venue, the fans reportedly began lining up from 7 a.m. for a sold-out show. Drummer Van Williams says the current chemistry has made a tangible difference onstage. Despite rehearsing less, the band is playing tighter, helped by modern in-ear monitoring and a more supportive lineup.
The same spirit carried into Wacken 2026, which both Williams and Önen described as the “mecca of metal.” For Önen, performing there with his favorite band was surreal. “This is what it’s all about,” he said, pointing to the “brotherhood, the sisterhood, the community of metal” and the festival’s sense of inclusion.
Berzan Önen, New Music and the Road Ahead
That renewal also extends to Nevermore’s future music. Williams made it clear that the band does not intend to simply recreate its past. “We need to find a new path,” he said, adding that Önen is “an amazing singer and writer” and that the band wants the freedom to experiment without listening to outside doubters.
Önen’s entry into Nevermore was remarkably direct. His audition arrived within the first week, before hundreds more submissions followed, and Williams immediately felt they had found the right person. Beyond the voice, it was his familiarity with the songs and small, instinctive mannerisms that convinced the band his connection to the music was genuine.
Next comes another milestone: shows with Judas Priest, alongside dates with Savatage. Önen summed up the Priest opportunity simply: “It’s the metal god… There’s nothing beyond that.” Williams also says Nevermore has received an approach about playing in India. While any show depends on management and booking logistics, the band made its enthusiasm clear.
Why Nevermore Still Values Rawness Over Perfection
The conversation also turned to modern metal, as Önen argued that over-polished production has stripped away much of its rawness and criticized the use of AI in songwriting and production. Williams agreed that small imperfections can be what make music feel human.
For this version of Nevermore, that humanity seems central: new music, a new lineup, and a renewed emphasis on emotion, connection, and positive energy.
Also read: Wacken Open Air 2026 Marks 35 Years of Metal History as 85,000 Fans Return to the Holy Ground
