Ex-NEVERMORE Guitarist JEFF LOOMIS: More New Solo Album Details Revealed

Former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis will enter the studio on August 23 to begin tracking his new solo album. Dirk Verbeuren of SOILWORK will play drums on the follow-up to 2008's "Zero Order Phase", which will feature three or four tracks with vocals. Christine Rhoades, who previously collaborated with NEVERMORE on the "Dreaming Neon Black" CD, will sing on selected tracks and Shane Lentz will handle the bass. Aaron Smith (7 HORNS 7 EYES) will produce the effort.

"[Smith] has been a friend for a while now and has helped me out with various recording projects over the years," says Loomis. "We've been working on demos and pre-production for the past few weeks and are very happy with the way things are turning out."

He adds, "Doing drums, as most of you know, is Dirk Verbeuren. I don't think there's really anything else I can add to that. His name just sort of speaks for itself.

"Up until about two weeks ago, I was planning on doing the bass parts myself but then saw this amazing bass player on YouTube and said to myself, 'I need to have him on the record.' I got in touch and was thrilled to find out he was into it. I'm really looking forward to hearing what he's going to be bringing to these songs."

New video footage of former Loomis shredding the axe in preparation for the recording sessions for his second solo album can be seen below.

Shortly after wrapping up in the studio, Jeff will embark on a three-week tour of special Schecter guitar clinics in China, scheduled for October.

Jeff was the lead guitar player and main songwriter of NEVERMORE, a band that has certainly made its mark on modern music by forging a unique sound that fuses different forms of metal that has given birth to an authentic and very influential style. His solo CD, "Zero Order Phase", took the #4 spot in a April 2009 Guitar World magazine's readers' poll in the "Best Shred Album Of The Year" category a notable accomplishment when you consider the top three vote-getters, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani. Jeff has become one of his generation's most recognizable guitarists and the source of many of the last decade's best riffs.

Jeff's complex shredding has been a central part of the progressive power guitar scene since 1992 and is responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring riffs modern metal has ever heard. Nearly every aspiring musician who has been listening to metal for the past 10 years or so has undoubtedly had the pleasure of hearing Jeff Loomis' progressive and technically superior playing. "Jeff epitomizes the very essence of modern guitar playing; there is a huge fan base that has waited a long time for this type of product from him," stated Joe Palombo, Executive Director of Rock House.

Loomis' first solo album, "Zero Order Phase", was released in September 2008 through Century Media Records.