Nevermore officially revealed their new lineup this Thursday, the 12th, with a new contract with the record label Reigning Phoenix Music and a documentary that followed the rehearsals held in January at Swans Neck Soundworks studio in Väderstad, Sweden.
Following a selection process conducted by Jeff Loomis and Van Williams , Berzan Önen was chosen as the new vocalist, replacing Warrel Dane , who died on December 12, 2017, at the age of 56, due to a heart attack .
Berzan Önen, originally from Istanbul, Turkey, is a singer, songwriter, and vocal technique teacher. With 17 years in the music industry and over a decade performing live weekly, he has established himself in the European metal scene, accumulating experience both in the studio and on stage.
According to Whiplash , Berzan Önen has participated in the recording of eight albums with different projects and has also worked as a guest vocalist in collaborations with artists from various parts of the world due to his vocal versatility. In addition to his work with bands, he has a YouTube channel where he posts covers of different musical styles.
How Berzan Önen became the vocalist for Nevermore
According to Loomis, an average of 650 musicians applied for the audition, which began in January 2025: “We analyzed and watched everything meticulously.” By February, they had already decided who the vocalist would be. “He was the best of all. The one we thought: 'This is the guy,'” added Van Williams.
In the documentary released alongside the announcement, Berzan said it was surreal to be in Nevermore, as it's his favorite band [transcription via Wikimetal ]. “It’s a great honor to be a part of this man’s life. It’s crazy. If someone stopped me on the street and asked me point-blank: ‘What’s your all-time favorite band?’, I’d immediately say, without much thought: Nevermore.”
He continued: “I know I have a great responsibility ahead of me, but I am prepared and extremely excited. It’s going to be amazing!”
Nevermore will perform at Bangers Open Air 2026, which takes place on April 25th and 26th at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo. Tickets are already on sale at the Clube do Ingresso website.
