Nevermore

In Memory (Century Media)
by Scott Hefflon

From the ashes of Seattle’s powermetallers Sanctuary, screecher Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard prepare to put out their second Nevermore release in October entitled The Politics of Ecstasy. Again they will record with producer Neil Kernon (Queensrÿche, Dokken, Flotsam & Jetsam), but in the meantime, they give us the five song In Memory. Three re-worked demo tracks, a cover of Bauhaus’ “Silent Hedges/Double Dare” and a new scorcher called “Optimist or Pessimist” that’s the heaviest song they’ve yet done. Their lyrics are still inanely metal, but the new guitargod, Jeff Loomis, and Warrel’s hawkish squawk move this band to one of the most raging in the powermetal brat pack.