"Seattle's NEVERMORE welcome you to "This Godless Endeavor", a grand overture where musical tapestries are fascinatingly complex while entirely accessible. The band's sixth full-length marks another peak in NEVERMORE's rapid ascend in the Metal scene and falls into line with its highly acclaimed predecessors. The first of which being the self-titled debut album released in 1995, one year after the official foundation of the band by former SANCTUARY members Warrel Dane (vocals), Jeff Loomis (guitar) and Jim Sheppard (bass). By adding drummer Van Williams the nucleus of NEVERMORE was born. Though at that time the world all-to-willingly embraced the Grunge-movement, the band dared to continue their vision for a creative and multi-faceted Metal sound. The internationally reputed producer Neil Kernon (Queensryche, Judas Priest, Flotsam & Jetsam, Yes, Rolling Stones, Journey) believed in the potential of NEVERMORE and recorded their impressive debut at his own risk. It did not take too long until the quartet was signed to Century Media Records and due to the fans' pleasant memories of SANCTUARY, and NEVERMORE's touring activities (Europe with Blind Guardian, US with Death) they could raise a good amount of interest throughout the Metal scene and found a lot of thankful purchasers.

The follow-up "In Memory" EP (1996) and the second album "The Politics Of Ecstasy" (1996) displayed NEVERMORE on their quest for their very own, unmistakable sound. The band experimented with a whole lot of influences from various styles and impressed with a great degree of highly-technical finesse that never endangered the catchiness of the songs. Still, NEVERMORE never wrote songs that easily stuck in your head, even though they're nowhere near as complicated as an Ikea construction manual, resulting in listeners giving their albums four or five runs before the variety of each song becomes obvious.

After "The Politics Of Ecstasy" the band parted ways with their second guitarist Pat O'Brien (now in Cannibal Corpse) and it took them almost a year until they found former Forbidden-member Tim Calvert to fill the vacant spot. With this line-up they recorded the masterly "Dreaming Neon Black" (1999) which showed the perfect balance between all the different components of the NEVERMORE sound. There were small, complex mini-dramas as well as super-tight thrashers and quiet, emotional tunes opposed to angry noise eruptions. NEVERMORE managed to create an album equipped with numerous non-metal trademarks which sound appealing to the usually very sensitively reacting true metal community. Or maybe it was still metal enough that it could not even upset the die-hard purists? Anyway, it is a matter of fact that the career of our five heroes just went straight up. Seemingly endless, but still extremely successful tours followed the release, the US was toured not less than four times, Europe was frequently visited (with LeFay - now Morgana Lefay again -, Sacred Steel, Nocturnal Rites) and they even stopped in Australia for a number of shows. After all, guitarist Tim Calvert decided to leave the band in early 2000 to focus on non-musical activities. The remaining band members decided to carry on as a four-piece and did not hesitate to start recording their fourth album "Dead Heart In A Dead World (2000)". For the first time not Neil Kernon but Andy Sneap (Machine Head, Testament, Skinlab, Napalm Death, Stuck Mojo) worked the knobs and moved especially Loomis "skin-flaying" guitar play to the production's forefront. Again tireless world touring followed and turned songs like "Narcosynthesis" and "Inside Four Walls" into anthemic fan favorites. German Rock Hard magazine stated fittingly: "This is the masterpiece of one of the most talented bands in present time".

2003's Enemies Of Reality received similar praise: "must have album of the year" said Outburn Magazine, Guitar One called NEVERMORE's newest songs "opuses that often reach dark symphonic peaks". With performing at Europe's largest rock festivals including the infamous Dynamo, the prestigious Wacken Open Air and sharing stage with metal's elite including Arch Enemy, Children Of Bodom, Dimmu Borgir, Iced Earth, King Diamond and Opeth throughout their recording career NEVERMORE could manifest the high position they deservedly occupy within the metal scene.

Now, in 2005, "This Godless Endeavor" is the title of the band's latest work to date and was recorded at England's Backstage Studios, once again with Andy Sneap (who not only produced "Dead Heart In A Dead World" but also just recently re-worked "Enemies Of Reality"). "This Godless Endeavor" captures "the most ripping guitar work we've recorded", says vocalist Warrel Dane. Marking his NEVERMORE recording debut, guitarist Steve Smyth (ex-Testament/Dragonlord) joins core members Dane, Jeff Loomis, Jim Sheppard and Van Williams. Hugh Syme (Rush, Megadeth) provided stark album artwork, which according to Dane, "incorporates our ongoing theme of everyone wearing a mask." Appearing on the mainstage of Megadeth's Gigantour throughout the summer as well as moving over to Europe for a string of summer festivals and a full club-tour by September, NEVERMORE ask you to venture out, to experience the unfathomable, to join them on This Godless Endeavor. An album determined to become a future classic of the metal movement? "

Nevermore is:
Warrel Dane - vocals
Jeff Loomis - lead, rhythmn and acoustic guitars
Steve Smyth - lead, rhythmn and acoustic guitars
Jim Sheppard - bass
Van Williams - drums

Website: [url]www.nevermore.tv[/url]

Seeing them at Wacken Open Air, and I can't wait!

Great band, Warrel Danes Vocals and Loomis Guitar playin are a deadly combination and is pretty evident why Nevermore are so awesome.
Their album The Godless Endevour has to be the best thrash release of the last 5 yrs and their best album. I think the guitaring of Steve has added a special something to the band and is one of the main reason for the success of the Godless Endevour.

I didn't like Sanctuary... but Nevermore is indeed a great band! This Godless Endeavor is the best album so far

I love the sound Nevermore produce. Awesome unique flavour and one of the best bands te US currently has to offer, IMO. Dane's vocals go surprisingly well over the thrashy music they make. Very strong vocals indeed. I also like a lot of their lyrics. I've passed the opertunity to see them live now quite a few times. Next time though, I'll take it! They're a band I need to see live.

My all-time favourite band.Before i heard Nevermore i have not heard any band with such a unique sound.No one will ever reach them in any level.

Love them. Fell in love with them after "This Godless Endeavor", M-A-S-T-E-R-P-I-E-C-E!!!!

BTW: This is in Extreme now?

Written by Judas on 17.05.2006 at 12:56

Seeing them at Wacken Open Air, and I can't wait!

Yep, Ill be there at Wacken aswell... Im certainly looking forward to Nevermore, Im sure they will be one of the highlights of the whole festival....

Of all their songs I prefer 'Born'

Nevermore is currently my favorite band, and has always been one of them. Ever since I heard their album 'Dead Heart in a Dead World' I was instantly hooked. The thing that grabbed me was of course Jeff Loomis' signature riffing and soloing. At first, I thought Dane's vocals were just alright, and actually between below average and good, it often varied. However, I have come to love his vocals and the pure emotion that they bring to the music. I really enjoy everyone from them I have heard from the pre-Nevermore Sanctuary which is aboslutely fantastic to their newest monument 'This Godless Endeavor'. They are one of those bands that have many faces from ballads, to Power songs, to pure Thrash, while always beeing as heavy as hell.

I got to see them live just Monday and was sad that they only got to play five songs. Not to mention, Warrel was completely wasted, and while it was funny and he still got his lines right, I wish he would have been "all there" for the show. I still greatly enjoyed it though. They played: "Final Product", "I, Voyager", "Dead Heart in a Dead World", "Poison God Machine", and ended with "Born". Dane even said they avoid 'Dreaming Neon Black' because it was their "best" album, but I am hooked on 'Dead Heart in a Dead World' and their newest metal piece. All in all, I loved it and would definitely see them again. Singing along with "Final Product" was the highlight of the night.

Yeah, definately my favourite non-black metal band. I fell in love back when i first heard Dreaming Neon Black then Dead Heart In A Dead World. When Enemies Of Reality came out i was a little surprised because i didnt like the album, but This Godless Endeavour surely put them back on the throne.
Yeah, the band deserves a spot in extreme metal. They are mainly thrash metal.

Staggering talented band. I mean, one of the worlds best bands in any genre. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if a band's popularity were decided by raw talent, Nevermore and Enslaved would rule supreme.

My fave and first album of theirs was 'Dead Heart in a Dead World'. I especially love the cover of Simon and Garfunkle's 'The Sound of Silence' which is transformed by Nevermore into a terryfying and foreboding song.

Amazing band, technically, lyrically and just generallt. Jeff Loomis is a 7 stringed guitar god and Warrel Dane is superb, and misunderstood by many.

I never knew The Sound Of Silence was a cover. Then again i dont listen to that song much.

You'd probably recognise the original if you heard it, it's a very famous song.

Most likely.

They are my personal favourite for all the reasons stated above... just damn good. My favourite release is In Memory, however, my favourite album by Nevermore is Dead Heart In A Dead World.

Anyone here a fan of the album Politics Of Ecstasy? I love the live version of This Sacrament on the Armageddon Over Wacken DVD.

Written by __Az__ on 18.05.2006 at 01:01

Written by Judas on 17.05.2006 at 12:56

Seeing them at Wacken Open Air, and I can't wait!

Yep, Ill be there at Wacken aswell... Im certainly looking forward to Nevermore, Im sure they will be one of the highlights of the whole festival....

Of all their songs I prefer 'Born'

Likewise , im going with Judas

Wish i could get to Wacken

Written by Daru Jericho on 17.05.2006 at 17:19

Awesome unique flavour and one of the best bands te US currently has to offer, IMO. Dane's vocals go surprisingly well over the thrashy music they make. Very strong vocals indeed. I also like a lot of their lyrics.

That's exactly what in love in their music
"This Godless Endeavor" is definitely one of the best releases of last year!!

"This Godless Endeavor" is one killer album, what a release. They should be proud of that one. I have heard pieces of "Enemies of Reality" and actually enjoyed it as well. I need to pick up more material from this band.

If you liked Enemies Of Reality, you should like the others. I think "Enemies.." is their weakest album.

Written by [user id=5399] on 22.05.2006 at 00:59

If you liked Enemies Of Reality, you should like the others. I think "Enemies.." is their weakest album.

Certainly yes Enemies Is there weakest album, i didnt like the actual release a lot compared to there other albums, still it was a decent release.

I didnt like the production of it, but its a bit better in the re-release.

Written by [user id=5399] on 22.05.2006 at 00:59

If you liked Enemies Of Reality, you should like the others. I think "Enemies.." is their weakest album.

I think Enemies... is one of their stronger re-leases... I love the song I, Voyager....

Yes, thats a good song. Have you heard the original or the re-release?

seen them before 4 months in Greece
really KICKED ASH!!

do you want the playlist?

I really wish someone could explain to me why they are supporting Disturbed on their European tour...

I have their album Dreaming Neon Black and thought it was quite good - strong and powerful, yet somewhat unsettling.

"I really wish someone could explain to me why they are supporting Disturbed on their European tour... "

Must feel sorry for them

Disturbed is going to be blown away but the surpreme gods of Nevermore!! YEY!!