Melodic progressive metal band NEVERLAND have a couple of releases out and about, with an upcoming new album in the works! The band chats about this new release, current releases, plus more all below.
Line up
Daniel Huber, Guitars, Keyboards
Mike Zotter, Vocals
Boris Stoll, Drums
Roland Jost, Bass
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
The story of NEVERLAND began in autumn 1999 at the music school ACM in Zürich, when Boris (drums) and I (Guitars) decided to create our own band. Me and Boris studied Music there. The main idea was to give free rein to our own musical ideas and to compose songs that would appeal to all lovers of catchy melodic vocal lines, progressive interludes combined with classical riffs and melodies.
With all the ideas and conceptions how our music should be, we recorded different CD`s, as long player, promo or demos, which were released worldwide by ourselves or by a label. We played various concerts and festivals in Switzerland and abroad with Thunderstone, Mike Mangini, Dada Ante Portas, Circle II Circle and other great Bands. The music was consistently well received by the music press. In 2010, our management organized a 4-week tour through the USA. Back from the tour we were preparing the recording of the next album. Our singer at that time, Adrian Leu, told us that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Due to the illness we postponed our plans. One year later Adrian (R.I.P) passed away.
At that time we needed a break from music. Me and Boris always kept in touch and continued to make music together. At the End of 2019 we talked together and decided to do a NEVERLAND reunion. Singer Mike Zotter (EX Dreamscape, Stormhammer) and bassist Roland Jost had the same thoughts independently of us. Some time later corona came, which slowed down the writing of the new songs, because we couldn't see each other due to the border closure.
At the moment we are in our own studio and are busy recording our upcoming album. Tommy Vetterli (Coroner, Kreator) is responsible for the mix, as he was for the earlier works. The mastering is done by Fascination Street Studios. With Michel from Team H Entertainment and Rockstar Publishing, we were able to find a competent partner in the music business.
2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?
The name of the band comes from our bass player Roland Jost. We had a few names, including the name Neverland. When we discussed all the names, Roland said: NEVERLAND is more than fitting, as each band member comes from a different part of Switzerland or Germany. In the musical sense, NEVERLAND is a symbiosis of the words 'area and vastness', which is realized on the one hand by the spherical keyboards and the melodic vocals, and on the other hand with the solid rhythm section.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there?
I would say the headquarter is in Hägendorf (Switzerland) where I live. I have my studio in the basement. Here we can let our musical creativity run free and don't disturb anyone ;-) But we also enjoy the possibilities of today's technology and send each other files with musical ideas. Boris and Mike live in Germany. Roland lives in the mountains, which is also not really around the corner from me. Switzerland is a small country, but it has always produced internationally successful bands in all areas of the music business.
4. How would you describe your style?
I would say it's a mixture of melodic and progressive metal. Our songs are diversified. We want to offer something to the listener. The songs should not get boring even after repeated listening. Sometimes the songs are more straightforward, sometimes more playful, we like to leave all options open when we write songs. We don't want to do the same thing on every album and let ourselves be inspired by the respective song. All the members listen to different kind of music.
5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
We released a 4 track CD at the beginning. After that came the Schizophrenia album, which was released through the English label Escape Music. For the Song “Neverland” we shot a Video. Some time later we recorded a promo CD, with a couple of Songs, to attract new partners. Some of our songs can be heard on various samplers like the Progpower USA Sampler XI and Melodic Rock of the 21st Century Vol 2 or best of Helvetic Rock Sampler. When we do something, we want to do it right. Listeners can look forward to varied, atmospheric, melodic songs.
6. Do you have any new music in the works?
At the moment we are working on a new album in the studio. We have already finished some songs, but we are still fine-tuning others. In the end, eight or nine songs will make it onto the album. Derek Sherianian (Alice Cooper, Dream Theater, Billy Idol) and Vitalij Kuprij (Artension, Ring of Fire, Trans Siberian Orchestra) can be heard on the keyboard, as guest musicians on some of the tracks. Tommy Vetterli will mix the album again. The mastering will be done by Fascination Street Studio in Sweden.
7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
We have already received some concert requests, which of course makes us very happy. At the moment, however, we are focusing on the studio. We still work on the side and have to manage our time. But we definitely want to go on stage in 2023 and play our music live. Jumping on a tour would also be very cool, of course. Let's see. Playing in front of an audience has always been the greatest thing for us.
8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
Finish recording the songs, do our best and have fun in the studio ;-) and a great time together. Michel from Team H Entertainment will also be sampling labels and trying to find new partners for us.
9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
At the moment we are busy building up our social media channels. News and audio samples of our old material as well as future material can be found on Facebook and YouTube under our own Neverland Metal channel. The Homepage and a Spotify account are currently under construction. So check us out on Facebook so you don't miss anything.
10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
That Switzerland is not only known for good chocolate, mountains and watches, but that there are also good bands :-) This is a difficult question to answer. Everyone should decide for themselves what they like most from our songs. For us, we give 100 % commitment in our songs.
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