SANCTUARY FRONTMAN WARREL DANE DIES IN BRAZIL
12th December 2017



warrel dane

Sanctuary and Nevermore singer Warrel Dane has died today, Wednesday 13th December 2017, in São Paulo, Brazil. Dane, who was in the process of making his second solo album, had a heart attack during the night and could not be revived.

Guitarist Johnny Moraes of Dane's solo band, was with the singer around midnight and told Brazil's UOL:

"He died in the night. He was in the apartment where he stayed during the recording of the album when it happened. I gave him cardiac massage and we called the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU), who came very fast, but when they arrived, he was already dead.

"His health was already very weak because of his diabetes and his problems with alcoholism. He was already facing a lot of health problems."

Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge posted on the band's Facebook page:

"Today I wake up to the news that Warrel Dane has died. I don't even know what to say. My friend, brother and musical companion for over 30 years has passed away. I'm in total shock right now.

"I'm sorry for any close family or friends that had to hear the news on Facebook."

Nevermore effectively split up in 2011 when guitarist Jeff Loomis, now of Arch Enemy, and drummer Van Williams departed the band due to personal differences with Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard. Warrel later described Nevermore in an interview as "the greatest band that alcohol ever ruined."

Sanctuary reformed in 2010 after an eighteen year hiatus and spent recent years touring in support of their comeback album, 2014s 'The Year The Sun Died', as well as 2016s 'Inception', an album comprised of presumed lost 1986 studio recordings.

Dane was 56-years-old and was a certified chef and formerly owned a restaurant in Seattle.