NEVERMORE's VAN WILLIAMS On New Singer BERZAN ÖNEN: WARREL DANE 'Would Be Proud Of The Guy We Chose To Replace' Him

In a new interview with India's Sinusoidal Music, drummer Van Williams spoke about the new lineup of NEVERMORE, which made its live debut on April 1 at IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş in Istanbul, Turkey. Joining Williams and guitarist Jeff Loomis in NEVERMORE's current incarnation are the band's latest additions, Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and new vocalist Berzan Önen.

Regarding what the new NEVERMORE material will sound like, having announced earlier in the year that the band had signed a new record deal with a deal with Reigning Phoenix Music, Van said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's gonna be great, man. I think, and I'm not blowing smoke up my own ass here, or anyone else's, I'm just saying, the people that follow us and have believed in the band for this long — there were some doubters that were, like, 'Oh, you can never do this. You can never continue the band without these guys.' Whatever. I understand. I understand, 'cause people fall in love with the members and really it touches everyone's heart. No one wants anyone to pass away and have to recreate, or bands breaking up."

He continued: "Things happen in life. For us to have a second chance to do it all over again in a different kind of way and bring back the music and make the ending of the band — or not the ending, but the new chapter from where we left off to continue, I think is great. And musically, hopefully those who stay with us will stay with us, and will understand that Jeff knows what's great for the band. I feel I kind of know what's great for the band, and together we found guys that we feel are gonna elevate and make this band continue in a stronger path. And the new path that we need to find. We need to find a new path. We need to do different things. We need to try stuff, just because everybody grows. No one stays in one spot. And we have this great new opportunity to do that. Berzan is an amazing singer and a writer, and it's gonna be something different. We're gonna add a little bit of anything that we feel like we wanna add, and we're not gonna listen to anybody else, 'cause a lot of the people that thought we couldn't do this are now saying, 'Oh man, I just seen you guys live. Fucking A, that was great.' So that's what we wanna do. And if you believe in us, thank you, and come along with us. If you don't, thank you, and don't come along with us. It don't matter to me. I know where I'm happy, and I just wanna be happy, and I want these guys to be happy. And as long as we're all happy, we're gonna conquer the thing. So that's what it's all about."

After the interviewer noted that late NEVERMORE singer Warrel Dane mentioned in a 2016 interview that he wanted the band to reunite, Van said: "I think Warrel would be proud of the guy we chose to replace Warrel. It's not an easy thing to do, for sure. Everyone knows that. And it's a beautiful thing to find someone that when we'd seen his auditions that we were, like, 'Oh, He's not faking this. He's not learning the songs tomorrow. He knows the songs.' It touched his heart, and when we'd seen the videos, it touched our hearts. And we were, like, 'He's the guy,' before 500 or 600 more auditions came in. His came in, like, the first week or something, and I'm, like, 'Holy shit, Jeff, this is the dude.' And Jeff's, like, 'Okay, man, I'm not gonna listen too much to anything,' and waiting. And I'm, like, 'He's here, man. He's here already, dude. He's the one to beat.' And once again, not only vocally, but it's just the little mannerisms that he did in the auditions where he was, like, just making a fist or a smile. These little things touched me more than anything. And I could see that he is like me, in a way. And it was a no-brainer. So whoever's with us is with us, once again. And whoever isn't, isn't, and that's okay. That's okay."

Regarding what the response was like to NEVERMORE's first show with the new lineup, Van said: "Well, I thought it was amazing. It was great to be in my man Berzan's country. And they seemed to welcome us very much so, and I thought it was great — a great response. I mean, I couldn't believe the welcomeness that we did experience there. So, [I'm] just happy to be back, very grateful to be here, and to have this man next to me."

Berzan, who also took part in the Sinusoidal Music interview, added: "It was insane. Playing in my hometown with my dream band NEVERMORE, it doesn't get much better than this. It doesn't. And the reception was amazing. We sold out the show, and we then sold out, like, 200 more. Insane welcome."

Forged in the aftermath of SANCTUARY, NEVERMORE carved out a sound defined by precision musicianship, fearless songwriting, and emotional intensity. From their self-titled debut in 1995 through landmark releases such as "Dead Heart In A Dead World" and "This Godless Endeavor", NEVERMORE built a global following and a reputation as one of modern metal's most distinctive voices.

Following the band's disbandment, Jeff released the acclaimed solo albums "Zero Order Phase" and "Plains Of Oblivion", co-founded CONQUERING DYSTOPIA and spent nearly a decade as a member of ARCH ENEMY, contributing to releases, including "Will To Power" and "Deceivers". Van remained active through projects such as ASHES OF ARES and GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS. Dane continued creating until his passing in 2017, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire musicians and fans worldwide.

Dane died in in December 2017 in São Paulo, Brazil while recording his posthumously released solo studio album, "Shadow Work". The musician reportedly had a heart attack during the night and could not be revived.

According to guitarist Johnny Moraes, who played in Warrel's solo band, Dane had a history of addiction and other health issues. "His health was already very weak because of his diabetes and his problems with alcoholism," he said.

The instrumental parts for Dane's follow-up to 2008's "Praises To The War Machine" solo album were almost completed and he had begun laying down his vocals shortly before his death.