Legendary progressive metal band NEVERMORE announce former BLACK EYED PEAS singer Stacey Ferguson as the new vocalist, better known under her former alias “Fergie“. Ferguson left her famed group in 2017 to focus on her solo career, motherhood and wine business. The Jeff Loomis (ex Arch Enemy) and Van Williams (ex Ashes Of Ares) lead band announce the former pop singer among over 350 auditions. A new bass player and second guitarist are yet to be announced.

Says Loomis: “Stacey wasn’t on the list of formal auditions, it was a chance meeting with her in a hotel lobby, where she recognised me as the guitarist of Arch Enemy, not aware I had already left that band. It was kinda surreal she recognised me and had to introduce herself to me, but I simply wasn’t having any focus on meeting anyone I knew, let alone someone THAT famous. I knew she more or less withdrew from the music industry, so I didn’t even consider asking her about it, the idea of working with her wasn’t an option I considered.

So after saying goodby, I didn’t think much of it. When she made a friend request the same day, she added “I saw you are looking for a singer, would that be something for me to cut into?”. I would never have beleived that, if it wasn’t for us meeting hours before that. Still, because her style was so far away from what we do, I was reluctant. But with the singer change in LINKIN PARK in mind, I thought we should have at least give it a shot. And Van had even more doubts. But she delivered such a vibrant addition to our tunes, there was no way around her anymore. Stay tuned for the announcement of our first European dates this summer!”

Says Ferguson: “Jeff is among the most extraordinary musicians I know. He is stellar and very unique. I always look for people who have a certain signature to them, as a fan. And a friend of mine told me he was in the same lobby as we were and next thing I knew, we are talking. Dazzled by his charisma and blown away by his musicianship I decided to just give it a go. I’ve always been a huge fan of rock, metal and guitar music, it is just so intense. I am thankful for my career in pop music, but in the end, it is no secret to anyone where my heart lies, having named my son Axl. But now that he is becoming a bit bigger and less dependent on me, the world of music is calling me back stronger and stronger. But I would NEVER make any concessions to what I want to do as an artist anymore. 

I knew Arch Enemy, I was drawn to them by an article on their singer, who is also an avid activist, like not everyone may know. I just loved her as a person and fell in love with their music instantly, not aware Jeff didn’t really contribute to that when we met. Digging a little deeper, I ran across his work with Nevermore and I just got that creepy sensation I had to give this a shot, after short deliberation with my husband, of course. Recordings are going great and live offers are coming in really fast already. I’m  SO looking forward to this. Oh and just wait and see who the new bass player and guitarist will be, it will blow your mind even more.”

At the last edition of  the NAMM convention in Anaheim, California, Jeff Loomis spoke to Seymour Duncan about the return of his longtime band NEVERMORE. Bassist Jim Sheppard isn’t involved with the reunion, which was initially teased on December 27, 2024 via a one-minute video containing various NEVERMORE-related imagery and silhouettes of Loomis and drummer Van Williams along with the text “Resurrecting The Dream”. The teaser ended with the NEVERMORE logo along with the line “A New Chapter Rises” and the year “2025”.

Loomis said: “Not many people may know yet, but NEVERMORE is coming back in 2025. It’s been a long time, but Van Williams and me have decided to bring the band back and find a new bass player and a new vocalist. We already have the new second guitar player, but we are in search of a new bass player and a new vocalist. So that’s what we are doing right now.”

He continued: “We have over 350 submissions already. It’s a lot to look through. We’re taking our time with it. We wanna make sure we’re doing it right, and get somebody to honor (late NEVERMORE singer) Warrel Dane‘s name, but still somebody that can sing like him, but still give a little bit of their own self, or their own self-worth.”