Nevermore / Sanctuary singer Warrel Dane has reportedly been found dead at age 56. According to Brazilian news source UOL, Dane passed away earlier today (Dec. 13) from a suspected heart attack.

Dane is perhaps best known for his work with Nevermore, having founded the band with Jeff Loomis, Jim Sheppard and Mark Arrington in 1992. Dane’s wide vocal range quickly made him a favorite in metal circles, as did his work with Sanctuary, which Dane founded in 1985. The vocalist also released his debut solo album, Praises to the War Machine, in 2008 and was working on his sophomore solo effort at the time of his apparent death.

According to UOL, Warrel was in Sao Paulo, Brazil creating his second solo album, Shadow Work. Solo band member Johnny Moraes tells UOL, "He died in the night, he had a heart attack. He was in the flat where he stayed for the recording of the album when it happened. I got to do cardiac massage, we called the SAMU (Brazilian ambulance) who arrived very fast, but when they arrived he was already dead.”

Moraes continues, "His health was already very weak because of his diabetes and his problems with alcoholism. He was already facing a lot of health problems … The record was almost finished and we started to record the voice. The musicians are already thinking about how to use the material for a posthumous tribute. Maybe we can count on guests, but there's nothing official yet.”

Stay tuned as further updates come in about Warrel Dane.

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