Finnish metal force Lost Society give fans another powerful taste of their upcoming album Hell Is A State Of Mind, set for release on March 6th via Nuclear Blast Records, with the brand-new single “Is This What You Wanted”.
An emotional and thrilling anthem, the track opens with a grand, cinematic intro driven by strings and acoustic guitars before exploding into a storm of raw, screamed-out emotion. Vocalist SamyElbanna delivers a visceral performance that cuts deep under the skin, capturing both vulnerability and rage in equal measure. Accompanied by an intense music video, “Is This What You Wanted” visually underlines the song’s anthemic core and emotional weight, further setting the tone for what promises to be Lost Society’s most compelling release to date.
Frontman Samy Elbanna comments on the song: “This song comes from the feeling when you’ve worked tirelessly for years on your dream to come true and come to life, and you have these sudden realizations of how many important moments you’ve missed and how big the sacrifices have been that you’ve made along the way. A truly bittersweet feeling, because in the end of the day – they’ve been necessary to ensure your focus on your dreams. Nonetheless, it hurts. This comes from the heart and we hope it speaks to you and makes you remember that your loved ones would always have hoped for you to go after your dreams.”
You can now pre-order the album Hell Is A State Of Mindhere. The album comes in following formats:
CD jewel case with 12-page booklet
1 LP sleeve transparent red
1 LP sleeve transparent blue with red splatter
Kicking off in March 2026, right after the album release, Lost Society embark on a European tour, hitting cities throughout the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Fans can expect a high-voltage set packed with fan favourites, ferocious riffs, and the band’s unmistakable adrenaline-charged energy. Supporting the run is the Finnish alternative metal outfit Awake Again.
It marks a full creative revival — not just nostalgia — with a new lineup, new material in progress, and a global re-entry under Reigning Phoenix Music.
TL;DR:
Nevermore is officially back. Jeff Loomis and Van Williams have signed with Reigning Phoenix Music, unveiled a new lineup, confirmed new music in development, and announced their first live appearance for April 1, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. This is a resurrection years in the making — and one guaranteed to spark debate across the metal world.
A Legendary Name Returns To The Metal Conversation
Few band names carry the same weight in modern metal circles as Nevermore. The band’s fusion of technical precision, dark melody, and emotional intensity built a fiercely loyal global following throughout the late ’90s and 2000s.
Now, after years of silence, guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams have officially reactivated the project — armed with a new lineup and a new label partnership with Reigning Phoenix Music.
And that alone is enough to send shockwaves through the fanbase.
The New Nevermore Lineup
The revived band now features:
Jeff Loomis — Guitar
Van Williams — Drums
Jack Cattoi — Guitar
Semir Özerkan — Bass
Berzan Önen — Vocals
Loomis and Williams describe the RPM signing as a natural fit: “Their passion for metal music combined with the extensive industry pedigree of their team made the choice easy.”
This isn’t framed as a reunion tour or legacy cash-in — it’s being positioned as a new era.
Van Williams offered perhaps the most intriguing teaser of all: “If the new music had to be described by one word, that would have to be delicious.”
That single word says plenty.
Not “heavy.” Not “technical.” Not “brutal.”
Delicious.
It suggests confidence, excitement, and perhaps something designed to satisfy longtime fans while pushing forward creatively.
Why Istanbul Matters
Choosing Istanbul for the first show isn’t random.
Turkey has long had a deeply passionate metal audience, and launching the comeback there signals something important: this return isn’t just about North America or Europe’s traditional circuits.
It’s global from day one.
The Documentary That Quietly Set The Stage
Directed and produced by Ola Englund, Nevermore released a rehearsal documentary earlier this year filmed at Swans Neck Soundworks in Väderstad, Sweden.
The footage offered:
Raw performances Early chemistry of the new lineup Insight into the audition process Loomis and Williams discussing the revival
Songs featured included:
“The River Dragon Has Come”
“Engines Of Hate”
“The Heart Collector”
For fans, it functioned as proof: This wasn’t hypothetical anymore.
This is not a band returning with a lightweight reputation.
The Warrel Dane Reality
Any discussion of Nevermore inevitably returns to Warrel Dane.
His voice, lyrics, and stage presence defined the band’s identity. Loomis addressed the unavoidable truth directly: “No one can replace Warrel Dane. Bottom line.”
But importantly:
They are not seeking a clone They want evolution They want authenticity
That’s the only survivable path.
A Complicated History Behind The Split
Nevermore’s 2011 collapse stemmed from internal fractures, later summarized bluntly by Dane himself as: “The greatest band that alcohol ever ruined.”
Dane’s death in 2017 permanently altered the band’s future — turning any potential reunion into something far more delicate.
This 2026 return therefore carries emotional complexity, not just excitement.
Jim Sheppard’s Perspective
Former bassist Jim Sheppard publicly expressed disappointment at not being contacted regarding the band name, though he ultimately wished Loomis and Williams well.
His statement underscored what longtime fans already know:
Nevermore’s story is layered with • Brotherhood • Conflict • Loss • Legacy
Money Grab Or Passion Project?
Van Williams addressed that criticism head-on: “Most musicians don’t do this for the money.”
In an era where legacy reunions often trigger skepticism, that clarification matters.
Because fans can smell insincerity instantly.
Why This Reunion Feels Different
This comeback has:
Years of visible buildup A documented audition/search process A new label partnership New music underway A carefully chosen launch show
It feels constructed — not impulsive.
FAQ
When Is Nevermore’s First Reunion Show?
April 1, 2026, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Who Is In The New Nevermore Lineup?
Jeff Loomis, Van Williams, Jack Cattoi, Semir Özerkan, and Berzan Önen.
Is Nevermore Releasing New Music?
Yes. Loomis and Williams confirmed a new album is currently being written.
Can Anyone Replace Warrel Dane?
No — and the band has explicitly stated they are not attempting to.
Band Bio
Nevermore emerged from the ashes of Sanctuary in the mid-1990s, forging a sound defined by technical precision, dark atmosphere, and emotionally charged songwriting. Across landmark albums like Dead Heart In A Dead World and This Godless Endeavor, the band became a pillar of progressive-leaning heavy metal before disbanding in 2011. Their 2026 revival sees Jeff Loomis and Van Williams steering the legacy into a new chapter.
After the sold-out 2024 Deluxe Edition release of This Strange Engine, Marillion and earMUSIC are delighted to announce the next chapter in the band’s reissue series, celebrating one of their most distinctive and forward-thinking releases.
Originally launched as an independent statement of artistic freedom, Marillion.Com captures the band at a moment of bold reinvention, embracing expansive songwriting, atmospheric depth, and an openness to global musical influences. The album moves effortlessly between cinematic arrangements, emotional storytelling, and moments of intimate reflection, offering a richly textured listening experience that continues to resonate with fans old and new.
To be released as deluxe 3CD+Blu-ray media book and 5LP box-set editions, both sets include a version of the original studio album newly mixed and mastered, a previously unreleased complete recording of the band’s 1999 performance recorded in London at the Shepherds Bush Empire, and also accompanied by illustrated booklets containing rare photos, new artwork, memorabilia and an essay that’s digging deep into the album’s story. The bonus Blu-ray, which is included in the media book, contains the album in hi-res and surround sound, demos & early versions of the album tracks, a Marillion.Com documentary and the “Shot In The Dark (Zodiac)” concert video. In stores June 19.
This spring, slam act PeelingFlesh will be headlining a tour across the U.S. in support of their move recent EP PF Radio 2 and this time around, they’re bringing Missing Link, Kruelty, and Bayway along for the ride.
Set to kick off on May 15 in Houston, Texas, the tour will run for 15 stops until things come to an end on May 21 in Nashville, Tennessee. Admittedly, the tour mostly takes place on the western part of the U.S. Along the way, they’ll make stops in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Detroit, Michigan.
With his eye on the newly announced tour, PeelingFlesh vocalist Damonteal Harris said his band’s got a bit of an ulterior motive for putting this tour in motion.
“This tour is just a way for us to see three goated bands for free every night. But really we’re very excited to announce our next headliner since we haven’t done one since 2024. This will be absolute chaos in the best way. Not a barricade in sight and we can’t wait to see everyone go crazy every night.”
You can find the full list of tour dates below.
Peeling Flesh tour dates
March 27, 2026 – Osaka, JP – Conpass March 28, 2026 – Nagoya, JP – RAD SEVEN March 29, 2026 – Tokyo, JP – Cyclone
Peeling Flesh tour dates w/ Missing Link, Kruelty, Bayway
May 15, 2026 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar * May 16, 2026 – Austin, TX – Emo’s May 18, 2026 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater May 19, 2026 – Mesa, AZ – Nile May 20, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – American Legion Post 8 May 21, 2026 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory ^ May 22, 2026 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz May 23, 2026 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street May 24, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall May 26, 2026 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep May 27, 2026 – Omaha, NE – The Waiting Room May 28, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater * May 29, 2026 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre * May 30, 2026 – Detroit, MI – Tied Down Fest May 31, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Basement East ^
*=no Bayway ^=no Missing Link
Peeling Flesh tour dates w/ Sanguisugabogg
June 12, 2026 – Perth, AUS – Amplifier Bar June 13, 2026 – Adelaide, AUS – Lion Arts Factory June 14, 2026 – Melbourne, AUS – 170 Russell June 17, 2026 – Sydney, AUS – Manning Bar June 18, 2026 – Newcastle, AUS – Hamilton Station Hotel June 19, 2026 – Brisbane, AUS – Crowbar June 21, 2026 – Wellington, NZ – San Fran June 22, 2026 – Auckland, NZ – Double Whammy
Peeling Flesh live
July 17, 2026 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Fest 2026 October 24, 2026 – Fort Worth, TX – Sick New World 2026
German progressive metal innovators Obscura have released a brand-new music video for the track “Stardust”, taken from their critically acclaimed album A Sonication, which arrived in February 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. The visually striking clip sets the stage for the band’s upcoming global trek and offers fans a first glimpse into the sonic and thematic direction of the next touring cycle.
Serving as a cinematic prelude to the A Sonication World Tour 2026, the “Stardust” video captures the cosmic atmosphere and technical intensity that define Obscura‘s latest chapter, blending futuristic imagery with the band’s signature musicianship.
Kicking off later this year, the A Sonication World Tour 2026 will see Obscura performing across North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, bringing their most ambitious live production to audiences worldwide.
Mastermind Steffen Kummerer comments: “We are pleased to present our new music video, created once again in collaboration with our long-time director Mirko Witzki. “Stardust”, taken from our latest album A Sonication, reveals a more melodic, fragile, and atmospheric side of the record. Join us on the road across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia as part of the A Sonication World Tour (2025–2028).”
Progressive tech death outfit Obscura announced a new world tour and released a music video for “Stardust” off their now year-old album A Sonication. If you’ve been meaning to catch these guys live, now’s very likely your best chance to do so.
With an eye on the forthcoming long ass list of tour dates for their ‘A Sonication World Tour’, band mastermind Steffen Kummerer said the music video was a great way to set the stage for their travel around the globe.
“We are pleased to present our new music video, created once again in collaboration with our long-time director Mirko Witzki. Stardust, taken from our latest album A Sonication, reveals a more melodic, fragile, and atmospheric side of the record. Join us on the road across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia as part of the A Sonication World Tour (2025–2028).”
The tour will see Obscura play shows in North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Not exactly a real world tour since Europe, Africa, and South America are missing, but we’ll let that slide…
Still, you can find the full list of tour dates below. Just know it’s a loooong ass list, so chances are they’ll be hitting a venue near you.
OBSCURA // A Sonication World Tour 2026
Stardust // USA 2026 w/ Allegaeon, Cognitive, Cryptosis
03.13 West Hollywood 03.14 Tucson 03.15 El Paso 03.16 Austin 03.17 Oklahoma City 03.18 Haltom City 03.19 Corpus Christi 03.21 Atlanta 03.22 Raleigh 03.23 Philadelphia 03.24 Brooklyn 03.25 Hamden 03.26 Rochester 03.27 Lakewood 03.28 Detroit 03.29 Joliet 03.30 Kansas City 03.31 Colorado Springs 04.01 Salt Lake City 04.02 Reno 04.03 Roseville 04.04 San José
The Sun Eater // Asia 2026 w/ DVRK, Japan dates incl. Fallujah*
EVERGREY, Gothenburg’s masterminds of melancholia, offer up another outburst of beautiful darkness and turn their inner fire into something unstoppable: their intense fifteenth album, Architects Of A New Weave, will be released on June 5th via Napalm Records.
Tom Englund about Architects Of A New Weave:
“We’ve literally never had this much trouble picking singles. And honestly? That’s the best problem we could possibly have. Every song on this record is fighting to be the one you hear first—because we poured everything into making an album we’re flat-out obsessed with. Like always there are no fillers, no compromises, just twelve tracks we’re stupidly proud of and will be for the rest of our lives. Pre-order the album now and join the weave!”
This is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed: a plunge into thinning air, burning worlds, and lingering guilt—only to break free with fierce momentum. The album refuses to wallow. It ascends—fast, heavy, and cinematic. But it refuses to hide in the dark. It rises: quick, fierce, and utterly transformative.”
Dive into Architects Of A New Weave’s standout tracks like ‘The World is on Fire’, ‘Leaving The Emptiness’, ‘Heaven’, and ‘The Prophecy’, and the breathtaking title anthem ‘Architects Of The New Weave’. Their choruses break through like sunlight piercing storm clouds: enormous, cinematic melodies that pull you upward, riffs with genuine weight and bite, and vocals dripping with raw, unflinching truth. In one breath, you’re shouldering buried longing; in the next, you’re weightless, fearless, endless. Scars transform into badges of survival, fractures fuel reinvention. In the second half of the album, fellow Gothenburg icon Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, The Halo Effect, Grand Cadaver, Cemetery Skyline) joins Tom S. Englund in vocal duties for ‘A Burning Flame’, the voices of the two scene legends intertwined compellingly.
Architects Of A New Weave was produced by Tom S. Englund and Vikram Shankar, with a stellar mix by Adam “Nolly” Getgood.
Among other exclusive formats, Architects Of A New Weave comes with a bonus album, containing bonus tracks ‘Heights’ and ‘One Heart’, as well as an album mix of the previously released standalone single ‘OXYGEN!’ (2025). Additionally, it features a demo version of ‘Longing’, instrumental tracks of ‘Leaving The Emptiness’, both new songs, as well as a live version of ‘Falling From The Sun’, the hit single from the previous record, Theories of Emptiness (2024) and continuation of ‘Ominous’ from A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament) (2022).
1 Welcome To The Pattern
2 The Shadow Self
3 Architects Of The New Weave
4 The World Is On Fire
5 Heaven
6 The Script
7 Leaving The Emptiness
8 Longing
9 A Burning Flame
10 Call Off Your Lions
11 Chains Of Shame
12 The Prophecy
Welcome to this weeks edition of Devil’s Island! Every week we maroon a band or artist on the island and see what they get up to, how they cope with being all alone on a small island in the middle of the ocean. It’s not your average desert island and we’ll see just how each person copes with the extreme conditions.
This week when we arrived at Devil’s Island we find Naked Sunday sat on the beach. The island is far from their home, so how did they end up here and how did they cope with life on Devil’s Island?
Find out now…
Welcome to The Razors’e Edge and our somewhat lovely, warm desert island. Don’t worry about it’s name I’m sure it’s not as bad as that would suggest.
You’re marooned here on this island, but before you ended up shipwrecked you chose one album that you couldn’t live without. Which album did you each chose and why?
Well Chinese Democracy by Guns n Roses for myself Martin, if we’re going to be marooned I may as well enjoy in my eyes one of the finest albums made, and a proper copy not a pirate copy gaarrrhh, I know Laura would choose any thing Motley Crue, Liam Foo’s and Alex Ufo.
Just behind that palm tree is a shack for each of you to stay in, with enough space for you to put up a poster on the wall of one album cover. What album cover do you each chose?
I think for me Martin, it would very easily be Aerosmith Get a Grip that cover is udderly brilliant, Laura would be Shout at the devil Motley Crue so she can still do all her devil worshiping, Liam still pushing the Foo Fighters thing The Colour and the Shape , just so each night when we’re bored he asks us what colour and shape he’s thinking of, Alex weirdly has gone for a bolder more defined choice in Led Zeppelin 3 so if we find any psychedelics we can trip out.
There’s also a bar on this here island. But alas each of you only get to choose one drink for the entirety of your stay. What’s your tipple of choice?
Newcastle Brown Ale for me, Wye-Aye man I’m gooonnna take the dog for a walk, Laura is the Fireball Queen so that’s for her, Liam is taking staropramen, and Alex is more sophisticated..Red Wine. Oddly enough I hear the pirates stole our Rum supply.
Your suitcases were lost when your ship sank, but you each managed to salvage one item of band merch. What’s the merch and for what band?
I got my Kiss Coffin, its a little big but acts as a boat to catch fish. Liam gone with a set of Dave Grohl Drum sticks (firewood in my eyes) Alex went with his personalised plectrum, said he wasn’t being picky and Laura she chose a Yungblud thong, may as well top up that tan.
You’re sat on the island thinking “I’m stuck here on this island with my bandmates for eternity”… who would you rather have been shipwrecked with?
In all honesty Gillian Anderson, I think that would sort me out perhaps she could help solve the mystery of why we are stuck? Laura would probably prefer Josh Todd of Buckcherry, she claims just for conversation, Alex and Liam both want Dave Grohl, I’ve told them one of them will have to have the watered down version Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen.
There’s a walkman in your pocket, on the tape inside is the recording of the one live show that stands out for you. It could be any show, from any band, anywhere in the world. What show is on that walkman?
QUEEN The Freddie Mercury Tribute, that way we get a varied mix, it could help us when Under Pressure, or when one of us wants to Break Free.
You’re getting desperate, you decide the only course of action is to put a message in a bottle and hope someone finds it. Your message could be to any member of any band, but should be the most suitable for a rescue attempt. Who is it?
It’s David Bowie, everyone knows that, even though sadly he’s passed away, I know Dave would come back to help us, he could be our hero…just for one day.
You’ve been stuck here a while and food supplies are running low. There’s only one thing for it… which fellow band member gets sacrificed to help the others survive?
Alex, I’ve always looked at him like lovers do and thought, you’d make a good steak, bit of Fireball for seasoning and good to go, it would be a fitting tribute to Naked Sunday, we strip him down… then eat him, perhaps we will cover a Cannibal Corpse track in his honour.
Finally, when the ship sank you each managed to save one person from the wreckage. That person is the one musician that has influenced your career the most, shaped your way of thinking and your outlook on life. Who did you save?
I saved Jim Morrison and he then led me to the desert he said we were going to put a festival on, he said …if you book them they will come, I’m still sat on this goddamn island and no ones arrived.
Laura saved Nikki Sixx, but I had to get rid of him, he kept talking too much.
Liam saved Dave Grohl currently they have a band together that’s a tribute to drinking tea, they are called the Typhoo Fighters, and Alex saved none other than Frank Zappa, he’s hoping by saving Frank we don’t sacrifice him.
After more than a year since the initial announcement that Nevermore was being revived by drummer Van Williams and guitarist Jeff Loomis, we now know who’s filling in the remaining spots in the band. And no, you won’t recognize these names because it seems they’ve gone with a trio of insanely talented, yet relatively unknown, individuals.
According to the band, the new Nevermore lineup features Williams and Loomis, as well as Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and new vocalist Berzan Önen. You may not know them, but trust me when I say they sound absolutely perfect for the job in the documentary directed and produced by Ola Englund that went live not long ago. In the aforementioned documentary, you can hear the new lineup perform “The River Dragon Has Come”, “Engines of Hate” and “The Heart Collector” and boy howdy, do they all rip shit.
Speaking of the new lineup, Williams said he felt the timing for this announcement felt natural and that the lineup ended up being exactly the spark that a new Nevermore needed.
“It’s been brewing for quite a while and has just started to manifest itself into the now. So what better time is there to kick things off than now?”
As you can tell almost immediately in the documentary, Cattoi, Özerkan, and Önen immediately fit in to the fold. Obviously, people wondered how someone would be able to replace the late Warrel Dane on vocals, but Loomis said he knew Önen was the right guy from the job as soon as he watched his audition video.
“[Önen] really stood out strong in so many ways upon a first listen. I could really feel the emotion and passion when I heard him sing for the first time. He wasn’t just going through the motions. I could tell right away that he was a fan of Warrel’s singing just by the way he delivered and said certain words. I was really blown away at first watch.”
Naturally, there’s likely going to be some push back from the former members of Nevermore — especially ex-bassist Jim Sheppard who once called the push to revive Nevermore “completely disrespectful.”
Still, the band is pushing forward with new music, having signed with Reigning Phoenix Music for the eventual release of their new tunes. To that end, Reigning Phoenix Music Co-Founder Gerado Martinez admitted he was stoked that this iteration of Nevermore signed with his label.
“There are no words to describe how proud and excited RPM is at the prospect of being part of Nevermore’s next chapter. Having been a fan since 1995 when I saw them on tour with Death, I’ve followed them on their entire musical journey and cannot wait for what is yet to come.”
With the new lineup cemented and a new label chosen, the band will now prepare for their first live appearance taking place on April 1 (not a prank) in Istanbul, Turkey. Hopefully they won’t run afoul of any local laws or customs.
So there you have it. New Nevermore has a debut show lined up, the new dudes sound absolutely spot on, and there’s new music on the horizon that Williams describes as follows:
“If the new music had to be described by one word, that would have to be delicious. Because it’s so good it’s gonna leave you hungry for more.”
April 1, 2026 — Istanbul, Turkey
Raw performances
perhaps she could help solve the mystery of why we are stuck? Laura would probably prefer Josh Todd of Buckcherry, she claims just for conversation, Alex and Liam both want Dave Grohl, I’ve told them one of them will have to have the watered down version Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen.
