As the revival of Nevermore draws near, excitement and curiosity abound regarding its lineup. Currently, only guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams have been confirmed to return. Though, I hold a strong belief that Brandon Ellis, recognized for his contributions to The Black Dahlia Murder and currently stepping in for Cannibal Corpse, will become part of the new Nevermore lineup.

this optimism is not just rooted in his remarkable guitar prowess; it also arises from a demo he recorded with loomis featuring modern Jackson guitars.Even though I can’t recall the name of that track, it certainly highlights their chemistry and suggests how incredible a partnership between Loomis and Ellis could be.

The Comeback of Nevermore: A Long-Awaited Reunion

The resurgence of Nevermore signifies an crucial chapter in music history, occurring 15 years after internal disputes led to the exit of both Loomis and Williams in 2011, which ultimately resulted in canceled tours. at that time, vocalist Warrel Dane emphasized that while they had not formally disbanded, continuing without Loomis would be difficult—he firmly stated he wouldn’t produce another album without him.

Navigating Challenges After Loss

Both musicians had left open the door for a reunion. However, following Dane’s untimely death from a heart attack at age 56 in 2017, this possibility became increasingly complex. Recently, Loomis shared part of his motivation for departing Arch Enemy—a band he was with for ten years—was to bring back Nevermore: “I wanted to regain control over my own music,” he told *Metal Injection*. “Reforming my old band has been an essential goal for me.”

A divided Response Among Former Members

This decision hasn’t received unanimous support within their circle. Co-founder and former bassist Jim Sheppard publicly criticized this move as “entirely disrespectful,” pointing out that no one consulted him before moving forward with plans to reform the band. He later softened his stance by wishing them well.