"I hope we never get to the point where people say, "Hm, just another Nevermore record.""

Warrel Dane, vocalist of Seattle-based progressive thrash metal masters Nevermore, checks in from Germany, right before the band's performance at the 2006 edition of the Wacken Open Air.

Vassil Varbanov: Warrel, how are you doing?

Warrel Dane: I'm doing great, sitting here in Germany and enjoying the sunshine.

V. V.: You're going to play at the Wacken Open Air. Are you ready?

W. D.: It's gonna be the Wacken Mud Fest 2006, I guess, as they're predicting rain for all three days... But yeah, we're ready!

V. V.: Besides playing live, what are you up to this summer?

W. D.: That's about it. We're just playing festivals in Europe and having a good time. The festival season is always fun, even when it's rainy.

V. V.: And how has it been so far?

W. D.: Oh, great! Metal Camp in Slovenia was the first festival we did, and it was so much fun! It's a beautiful area they have this event in. The fans seemed happy as well, so everybody's having a good time.

V. V.: I believe you were supposed to play at the Monsters of Rock festival in Bulgaria, too, but it didn't happen.

W. D.: Yeah, we were supposed. I'm not really sure what happened with that. All I know is it got cancelled.

V. V.: What did you hear from the promoter?

W. D.: I didn't hear anything directly. I know just some rumours that it had something to do with getting a liqueur permit... I guess nobody really knows what happened.

V. V.: That's right... Well, what are you going to do after the end of the tour?

W. D.: As soon as Nevermore starts getting into writing mode, we will start looking for studio time. Right now we're hoping to enter studio by the end of spring 2007. In the meantime, I've been working on a solo record, and I'll probably be recording it towards the end of the year.

V. V.: Tell us something more about it, please.

W. D.: I'm working together with guitarist Peter Wichers, who used to be in Soilwork, and perhaps there'll be an old friend playing drums, that used to play in a previous band I was in (Dave Budbill, ex-Sanctuary). It's a chance for me to do a little bit different music than Nevermore, and I'm really excited about it.

V. V.: By the way, what do you think about the new Iron Maiden album, "A Matter of Life and Death"?

W. D.: I've just heard one song, but it's exactly what I though it would sound like - very predictable. I know they feel comfortable in what they've been doing for the last years, butВ I hope we never get to the point where we start putting outВ albums and people go, "Hm, just another Nevermore record, no big deal." We're always trying to expand within the sound that people recognise as Nevermore.

Copyright: Tangra Mega Rock