Veteran Scottish hard rock band Nazareth has announced a major lineup change, parting ways with their longtime singer Carl Sentance and introducing Gianni Pontillo as the group’s new lead vocalist. The move comes as the band looks toward what they describe as an especially active touring year in 2026.
Founding bassist Pete Agnew, the only surviving original member of Nazareth, confirmed in a social media statement that he and the band have “come to a parting of the ways” with Sentance, who had fronted the group since 2015. Agnew did not specify the reasons for the split.
Sentance originally joined Nazareth following the retirement of founding singer Dan McCafferty, who stepped down from touring in 2013 due to chronic health issues and later died in 2022 at age 76. Since 2015, Sentance had handled lead vocals on studio albums like Surviving the Law (2022) and guided the band through multiple tours.
Agnew and the band then unveiled Gianni Pontillo as Nazareth’s new singer. Pontillo brings a deep background in European rock and metal, having served as frontman for the German hard rock group Victory since 2019. He has also performed with bands including Pure Inc., The Order and Souls Revival, and participated in high-profile stage productions like Rock Circus and This Is Rock by Das Zelt.
Agnew praised Pontillo’s vocal talent and stage presence, saying that fans who have already seen or heard him “already know what an incredible voice he has.” He expressed excitement about introducing Pontillo to audiences on tour in 2026.
Nazareth recently completed the 2025 leg of their Bending The Rules tour with a show in Berlin on December 17, 2025. With the new lineup in place, Agnew said that 2026 will be one of the busiest years in the band’s history, giving fans many opportunities to experience the revamped group live.
Nazareth’s Legacy and Lineup History
Nazareth formed in 1968 in Dunfermline, Scotland, and achieved international success with classic hard rock hits such as “Hair of the Dog” and their 1975 cover of “Love Hurts.” Over the decades, lineup changes have been a constant, especially following the retirement and later passing of McCafferty and the death of original guitarist Manny Charlton.
Carl Sentance’s tenure spanned more than a decade, making his departure notable for long-time fans. The arrival of Pontillo marks another chapter for the band, as they aim to blend their established sound with new energy in live performances and future projects.
