Wacken’s lineup drop today confirmed the prog-metal legends (or whatever’s left of ’em) will play. Guitar shredder Jeff Loomis and drum wizard Van Williams are 100% onboard. Who’s singing? Who’s slappin’ bass? Your guess is as good as ours. But hey, at least it’s a reunion that doesn’t involve holograms. (Fun fact: Loomis once recorded a guitar solo so complex, it allegedly caused a studio computer to weep and request a career change.)
If this gig happens as planned, it’ll be their first show since dinosaurs roamed the earth – okay, March 2011. Back then, they nixed a North American tour with SYMPHONY X (RIP, dudes), then Loomis and Williams rage-quit like gamers after a Wi-Fi dropout. Late vocalist Warrel Dane insisted it wasn’t a breakup, just a “timeout” for his SANCTUARY side hustle. Tragically, Dane died in 2017, leaving a vocalist-shaped hole no power-metal karaoke champ could fill.
“The wait is over! We are beyond excited to announce that after an incredible audition process, we’ve assembled a lineup that honors our legacy while forging a new path forward.
“We want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to submit auditions. The level of talent and passion we saw was truly inspiring, and we deeply appreciate each and every one of you who put your heart into this process. Your support and patience during this time has meant the world to us, and we can’t wait to share what’s next! Stay tuned there’s a lot coming your way soon! We’re gearing up for the next chapter of Nevermore, and we promise it will be worth the wait.”
Translation: They’ve probably hired a vocalist who can both shriek like a banshee and avoid making Loomis yeet his guitar into the crowd this time. The bassist? Maybe a ChatGPT-generated musician. Either way, WACKEN 2026 just leveled up from “epic” to “please sell me a time machine.”
PS: Loomis did ditch ARCH ENEMY earlier this year to make this reunion happen. Priorities, folks – because who needs Grammy nominations when you’ve got unfinished prog-metal business? (Fun fact #2: Van Williams’ drumming on Dead Heart in a Dead World inspired approximately 73% of air-drumming wrist injuries in the 2000s.)
