jeff loomis
17:21 Sunday, 12 February 2023
Guitarist Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, ex-Nevermore) and vocalist Graham Bonnet (ex-Alcatrazz, ex-Rainbow) are working on new material together.
In an interview with the Mike Nelson Show, Bonnet said "We're gonna do like a demo track so we can play it for somebody. You know, the usual thing: 'What do you think?' Jeff is a great guitar player and I am very proud to work with him."
It's not clear if this is a new project or if this is the material Loomis and Bonnet announced they'd be working on in 2021 when Loomis joined Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz. Either way, both these guys are incredibly talented and it'll be great to see what they come up with! Plus the world could always use more Loomis riffs.
Alcatrazz parted ways with Bonnet in 2020, though Bonnet said at the time he'd "still be recording and performing with Alcatrazz." Hence the Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz band name. Bonnet fronted Alcatrazz throughout the '80s, during their reunion in the 2010s, and from 2019 until 2020.
"The cat's out of the bag!" said Bonnet in a statement upon Loomis joining the band in 2021. It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I am announcing that Jeff Loomis is officially the new guitar player of Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz. Jeff is a power-house of a musician, a brilliant writer and a great guy. His skills are unparalleled and I am thrilled at the prospect of recreating the magic of the early days of Alcatrazz but with a modern, heavier sound.
"When I first heard Jeff, I was astonished by his technique coupled with his great feel and incredible melodies. You can have a little taste of it on the upcoming Graham Bonnet Band album as Jeff is one of our guests. Just to be clear, Jeff is still an active member of Arch Enemy as I am still with the Graham Bonnet Band. More news coming soon."
