RIP Warrel Dane

This sucks! Totally bummed. Huge fan!


The man left behind a large catalogue of music for Metal fans to listen to forever.





R.I.P.

I own five Nevermore CDs. And I have two weeks of holiday, so I'll find the time to spin them all.

Lari wrote:

I own five Nevermore CDs. And I have two weeks of holiday, so I'll find the time to spin them all.

I own the entire sanctuary and nevermore catalogue. I have started playing warrel's music daily in my car

How many more breathes will Warrel Dane take? Never more.

RIP

This post is why I came here. I am in a Facebook discussion group centered around death metal. I posted something and hardly anyone even acknowledged it.

This was very shocking and sad news. I hope he found peace.

When I'm dead will you remember all the things I tried to say?
This cancer inside of me, destroying my life, when I rot in the ground will you care?
The sands of time are pointless in a useless ugly world
Nothing brings peace of mind, I leave nothing behind if my words are left unheard!

Despite Nevermore's brutal leanings and 7 string playing with more recent releases, I don't think the death metal crowd ever warmed up to them. I think it just alienated the people who preferred traditional power metal.

I have always considered Nevermore to be a pretty unique band, and thus did not assume they would have alienate fans with any of their releases, but that's just my view.

I didn't expect that DM forum to join me in my grieving, but I did assume that they understood that Nevermore is a legendary METAL band, and show the proper amount of respect.

I'm surprised there wasn't more acknowledgement from the music community in general. Typically when a musician dies, Blabbermouth will collect social media posts from other musicians offering condolences or memories. Not a peep with Warrel.

Was he not liked by other musicians? Did his former Nevermore band mates make any statements? His passing seemed to come and go without much fuss.

I think he alienated a lot of people with his substance abuse and death from substance abuse probably didn't come as too much of a shock to those who were close to him. Still sad though.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I'm surprised there wasn't more acknowledgement from the music community in general. Typically when a musician dies, Blabbermouth will collect social media posts from other musicians offering condolences or memories. Not a peep with Warrel.

Was he not liked by other musicians? Did his former Nevermore band mates make any statements? His passing seemed to come and go without much fuss.

I noticed that too! I was at least expecting a statement from Jeff Loomis or his long time sidekick Jim Sheppard. Warrel obviously wasn't a household name like Chris Cornell, but he was pretty well known in the metal world. Maybe he burned some bridges. Still sad though... he should at least be remembered for his music.

Temple of Blood wrote:

I think he alienated a lot of people with his substance abuse and death from substance abuse probably didn't come as too much of a shock to those who were close to him.  Still sad though.

Chris Cornell and Kurt Cobain were known as junkies, but that didn't stop anyone from praising them after their deaths. Maybe Warrel was a major jerk...

Makes me wonder if the song C.B.F. from Nevermore's first album was written as a reflection of himself. Ironically, the song ends with the lyric: "I'll shed no tears when you are gone".

Shocked to find this out (I don't come here very often if that wasn't obvious), sad news.

I'll never forget his performance with Nevermore at Gigantour in Dallas. Warrel sang the whole set in a giant red foam cowboy hat .

Man another local musician passes.

I rather enjoyed his talents over the years and being from the Seattle area and reading about this sparked a memory from the late 80's at a house party in the Queen Anne district of Seattle where the band was taking in some libations, obviously prior to any mega stardom but still a known presence in the metal scene Warrel was easy to spot as his hair farm was an impressive site. I too was a farmer with an impressive crop at the time and we all chatted, drank and partook in winning the attentions of the ladies at the party. One of a million such nights back then and surprisingly a memory that still lingers.

martinsane wrote:

Man another local musician passes.

I rather enjoyed his talents over the years and being from the Seattle area and reading about this sparked a memory from the late 80's at a house party in the Queen Anne district of Seattle where the band was taking in some libations, obviously prior to any mega stardom but still a known presence in the metal scene Warrel was easy to spot as his hair farm was an impressive site. I too was a farmer with an impressive crop at the time and we all chatted, drank and partook in winning the attentions of the ladies at the party. One of a million such nights back then and surprisingly a memory that still lingers.

Cool story, dude. And I really mean it. Not in the dismissive, ironic sense.

Sanctuary's tour opening for Iced Earth will go on as planned with a guest vocalist, billed as a "tribute" to Warrel Dane...

(Source: Iced Earth FB)

Quote :

******US TOUR UPDATE*****
SANCTUARY Tribute Upcoming Shows as Farewell to Warrel Dane; Announce Guest Vocalist Joseph Michael (Witherfall)

Following the unfortunate loss of one of metal's most revered vocalists, WARREL DANE (Sanctuary, Nevermore), prior to SANCTUARY's upcoming dates supporting Iced Earth across North America, the band has announced the tour will go forth as planned. The shows will act as a farewell tour in tribute to the life and memory of DANE with guest vocals for SANCTUARY to be performed by Joseph Michael (Witherfall).

Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge comments:
“Sanctuary has decided to continue on with the Iced Earth tour to pay tribute to our brother Warrel Dane. We have enlisted the help of our friend Joseph Michael from Witherfall. The set will consist of many old and some newer songs performed with the utmost respect and quality to honor our friend. Please join us in this farewell as we celebrate Warrel's musical legacy with Sanctuary. We look forward to sharing this tribute with all of you.”

A full list of dates can be found as follows:
2/22 Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe #
2/23 CIncinnati, OH - Bogarts #
2/24 Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom #
2/25 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Ballroom #
2/26 Minneapolis, MN - Music Hall #
2/27 Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground #
2/28 Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall #
3/2 Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room #
3/3 Calgary, AB - Marquee Beer Market & Stage #
3/4 Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater #
3/5 Seattle, WA - El Corazon #
3/7 Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades #
3/8 Los Angeles, CA - Belasco Theater #
3/9 San Diego, CA - House of Blues #
3/10 Anaheim, CA - Parish @ House of Blues #
3/11 Phoenix, AZ - The Pressroom #
3/13 San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre #
3/14 Dallas, TX - House of Blues #
3/15 Houston, TX - House of Blues #
3/16 New Orleans, LA - Parish @ House of Blues #
3/17 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade #
3/18 Charlotte, NC - Underground #
3/19 Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage #
3/21 Wilmington, DE - The Queen #
3/22 New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre #
3/23 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall #
3/24 Quebec City, QC - Imperial Bell #
3/25 Montreal, QC - Corona Theater #
3/26 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Theater #
3/27 Cleveland, OH - Cambridge Room @ House of Blues #
3/28 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew’s Hall #
3/29 Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge #
# with Iced Earth & Kill Ritual

Tickets and further details can be found at http://www.enterthesanctuary.com/.

SANCTUARY recently released the official prequel to 1988's classic debut "Refuge Denied", "Inception", which showcased several previously lost recordings from their 1986 studio session that have now been restored, remixed and remastered by Chris "Zeus" Harris (Queensryche).

Formed in 1985, the band were signed to Epic Records with the help of Megadeth guitarist Dave Mustaine and released two records, "Refuge Denied" (1988) and "Into The Mirror Black" (1989) which saw them perform with the likes of Megadeth, Fates Warning, Warlock and Death Angel. The band disbanded in 1992 as members Warrel Dane (vocals) and Jim Sheppard (bass) went on to form the highly successful metal act Nevermore with acclaimed guitarist Jeff Loomis. SANCTUARY reunited nearly 25 years later in 2010 and appeared at several festivals worldwide before returning to the studio to record their acclaimed full-length comeback album "The Year The Sun Died" for Century Media Records in 2014.

Warrel Dane tragically passed away on December 13, 2017 due to a heart attack while recording his second solo album in São Paulo, Brazil.

Fat Freddy wrote:

Sanctuary's tour opening for Iced Earth will go on as planned with a guest vocalist, billed as a "tribute" to Warrel Dane...

(Source: Iced Earth FB)

Quote :

******US TOUR UPDATE*****
SANCTUARY Tribute Upcoming Shows as Farewell to Warrel Dane; Announce Guest Vocalist Joseph Michael (Witherfall)

Following the unfortunate loss of one of metal's most revered vocalists, WARREL DANE (Sanctuary, Nevermore), prior to SANCTUARY's upcoming dates supporting Iced Earth across North America, the band has announced the tour will go forth as planned. The shows will act as a farewell tour in tribute to the life and memory of DANE with guest vocals for SANCTUARY to be performed by Joseph Michael (Witherfall).  

Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge comments:
“Sanctuary has decided to continue on with the Iced Earth tour to pay tribute to our brother Warrel Dane. We have enlisted the help of our friend Joseph Michael from Witherfall. The set will consist of many old and some newer songs performed with the utmost respect and quality to honor our friend. Please join us in this farewell as we celebrate Warrel's musical legacy with Sanctuary. We look forward to sharing this tribute with all of you.”

A full list of dates can be found as follows:
2/22 Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe  #
2/23 CIncinnati, OH - Bogarts #
2/24 Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom #
2/25 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Ballroom #
2/26 Minneapolis, MN - Music Hall #
2/27 Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground #
2/28 Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall #
3/2 Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room #
3/3 Calgary, AB - Marquee Beer Market & Stage #
3/4 Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater #
3/5 Seattle, WA - El Corazon #
3/7 Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades #
3/8 Los Angeles, CA - Belasco Theater #
3/9 San Diego, CA - House of Blues #
3/10 Anaheim, CA - Parish @ House of Blues #
3/11 Phoenix, AZ - The Pressroom #
3/13 San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre #
3/14 Dallas, TX - House of Blues #
3/15 Houston, TX - House of Blues #
3/16 New Orleans, LA - Parish @ House of Blues #
3/17 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade #
3/18 Charlotte, NC - Underground #
3/19 Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage #
3/21 Wilmington, DE - The Queen #
3/22 New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre #
3/23 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall #
3/24 Quebec City, QC - Imperial Bell #
3/25 Montreal, QC - Corona Theater #
3/26 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Theater #
3/27 Cleveland, OH - Cambridge Room @ House of Blues #
3/28 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew’s Hall #
3/29 Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge #
# with Iced Earth & Kill Ritual

Tickets and further details can be found at http://www.enterthesanctuary.com/.

SANCTUARY recently released the official prequel to 1988's classic debut "Refuge Denied",  "Inception", which showcased several previously lost recordings from their 1986 studio session that have now been restored, remixed and remastered by Chris "Zeus" Harris (Queensryche).

Formed in 1985, the band were signed to Epic Records with the help of Megadeth guitarist Dave Mustaine and released two records, "Refuge Denied" (1988) and "Into The Mirror Black" (1989) which saw them perform with the likes of Megadeth, Fates Warning, Warlock and Death Angel. The band disbanded in 1992 as members Warrel Dane (vocals) and Jim Sheppard (bass) went on to form the highly successful metal act Nevermore with acclaimed guitarist Jeff Loomis. SANCTUARY reunited nearly 25 years later in 2010 and appeared at several festivals worldwide before returning to the studio to record their acclaimed full-length comeback album "The Year The Sun Died" for Century Media Records in 2014.

Warrel Dane tragically passed away on December 13, 2017 due to a heart attack while recording his second solo album in São Paulo, Brazil.

I'm glad that the band is going to do this tribute to Warrell.

Nice gesture by Sanctuary.

Trial balloon for vocalist replacement a la Dio Disciples?

Temple of Blood wrote:

Trial balloon for vocalist replacement a la Dio Disciples?

Could be. Guess they'll see how the tour goes.

If anyone is like me and never heard of them, here's some Witherfall for anyone interested to hear this replacement guy.


He's got some pipes for sure. I suppose he'll do the songs justice.

Good singer. I am curious to hear how he will perform on the sanctuary songs. Good luck!

That Witherfall album is really good. He's a great singer.

The guy's voice is a great match for Sanctuary. As a matter of fact... he would be a really good fit for Nevermore as well!

New track from the final album he was working on at the time of his passing...





01. Ethereal Blessing
02. Madame Satan
03. Disconnection System
04. As Fast As The Others
05. Shadow Work
06. The Hanging Garden (THE CURE cover)
07. Rain
08. Mother Is The Word For God

Renowned for his work in SANCTUARY and NEVERMORE as well as a solo artist, in 2014 Warrel had teamed up with Brazilian musicians Johnny Moraes (guitar), Thiago Oliveira (guitar), Fabio Carito (bass) and Marcus Dotta (drums) as his touring band and ultimately this successful collaboration led to plans for a new studio album. Recordings for "Shadow Work", the follow-up to 2008's "Praises To The War Machine", started in fall 2017 at Orra Meu Studio, São Paulo, and Travis Smith commenced to create the artwork following a concept and ideas previously discussed with Warrel.

Then he passed away, left his fellow musicians, fans, friends and family as well as his label in shock putting the status of "Shadow Work" in limbo for a while.

After reviewing the material that could actually be completed using vocals from various studio and pre-production sessions with Warrel, the decision was made to release his final recordings as "Shadow Work" on October 26.

The new song sounds good, but it's not the same without Jeff Loomis. They were a great songwriting team. Too bad they never reunited...