Warrel Dane, the iconic lead singer of American power metal band Sanctuary, was born on March 7, 1961. Notably, he is also the former lead singer of the currently inactive progressive metal band Nevermore. With a natural baritone voice, Dane was initially recognized for his high-pitched vocals in Serpent's Knight and Sanctuary's first two albums. However, later in his career, he became renowned for his distinctive deep and dramatic voice.
Dane's extensive musical training includes a five-year stint as an opera singer, allowing him to harness a remarkable vocal range. Spanning from G♯1 to B♭5, his range is truly impressive. Although his high head voice style vocals were more prominent in Sanctuary's earlier albums, he occasionally utilized it in Nevermore as well. The 2014 comeback album The Year the Sun Died features higher passages on three songs, showcasing his versatility.
Warrel Dane's musical influences are diverse, including Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Jefferson Airplane, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beatles, and The Doors. His primary vocal inspirations are Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, and Bruce Dickinson.
In addition to his music career, Dane is a certified chef and co-owned a restaurant in Seattle with bassist Jim Sheppard. His songwriting often reflects his critical views on religion and government, as well as his mixed feelings toward technological advancements.
Notably, Dane provided the voice of Candynose Twinskins in the musical comedy Metalocalypse on Adult Swim. Furthermore, his debut solo record, Praises to the War Machine, was released on May 13, 2008, on Century Media Records.
