Prayer for Cleansing
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Raleigh , United States |
| Products | Metalcore music |
Prayer for Cleansing is a metalcore band originating from Raleigh, North Carolina, recognized for integrating heavier elements from extreme metal genres such as death metal and black metal more distinctly than many of their peers. The group also played a significant role in the early careers of three musicians who later joined Between the Buried and Me—Paul Waggoner, Will Goodyear, and Tommy Giles Rogers.
Biography
Established in 1996, the initial roster featured David Anthem on vocals, Paul Waggoner and Dennis Lamb on guitars, Will Goodyear on drums, and Marc Duncan handling bass duties. Throughout 1997, the lineup experienced several alterations. By 1999, the band secured a contract with Tribunal Records and released their debut album, Rain in Endless Fall, which remains their most acclaimed record. Just prior to this release, Dennis Lamb left the group and was succeeded first by James Chang of Undying, followed later by Tommy Rogers. The band ceased activities in 2000 after a vehicle accident.
In 2004, the band briefly reunited for two performances: one at Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina, attracting nearly a thousand attendees including fans traveling internationally, and another appearance at the 2004 Hellfest held in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Tribunal Records reissued a remixed and remastered edition of The Rain in Endless Fall with refreshed artwork in 2003. Their sophomore album, The Tragedy, came out in 2004 through a collaboration between Southern Empire Records, Surprise Attack Records, and War Torn Records. This release included re-recorded versions of three tracks that had been previously available only unofficially, notably featuring their cover of The Cranberries' "Salvation". Southern Empire Records was co-established in 2004 by David Anthem alongside Jonathan Raine and Chris Gannon. In the same year, Seventh Dagger Records pressed The Rain in Endless Fall on vinyl. Since then, the band has remained dormant.
Later projects
Members Tommy Rogers, Paul Waggoner, Marc Duncan, and Will Goodyear went on to join the progressive metal band Between the Buried and Me, based in Raleigh (though Duncan exited prior to recording sessions and Goodyear departed following their debut release). Rogers and Waggoner also contributed to Undying as vocalist and guitarist respectively. Additionally, Rogers provided vocals for Tribunal Records labelmates From Here On. Dennis Lamb performed guitar duties with Azazel—a fellow Tribunal act that included future Between the Buried and Me members Jason King and Nick Fletcher—and recorded with Austrian ensemble Der Blutharsch. Presently, David Anthem runs The Grindcore House, a vegan coffee shop located in Philadelphia.
Reunion shows
On December 18, 2022, the band announced a special benefit concert featuring the Rain in Endless Fall lineup to honor John Rivera and support his family. Undying also reunited for this occasion with former rhythm guitarists James Chang and Tommy Rogers. A remastered vinyl reissue of the original album mix was planned for late 2022 or early 2023 by To Live A Lie Records. Furthermore, Prayer for Cleansing performed at the This Is Hardcore festival held at Franklin Music Hall in Philadelphia on August 6, 2023.
Current lineup
- Will Goodyear – drums, keyboards, and supplementary clean vocals (1997–2000, 2003–2004, 2022–present)
- Paul Waggoner – lead guitar (1997–2000, 2003–2004, 2022–present)
- Dave Anthem – lead vocals (1997–2000, 2003–2004, 2022–present)
- Dennis Lamb – rhythm guitar (1997–1999, 2022–present)
- Marc Duncan – bass guitar (1997–2000, 2022–present)
Former members
- Tommy Rogers – rhythm guitar (1999–2000, 2003–2004)
- Jimmy Chang – rhythm guitar (1999), bass guitar (2003–2004)
Personnel
Prayer for Cleansing
- David Anthem – vocals
- Paul Waggoner – guitars
- Dennis Lamb – guitars
- Mark Duncan – bass
- Will Goodyear – drums, piano, clean vocals on "Feinbhas a Ghabhail"
Additional contributors
- Lenny Watts – backing vocals on tracks 2 and 4
- Ian Schreier – recording and mixing engineer
- Jamie King – digital editing and mixing for the 2003 remix/remaster
- Abbadon Graphicworks – CD layout and design
- Jacob Bigham – layout and design for the 2003 remastered CD edition
- Justin Pope – layout and design for Seventh Dagger vinyl release
- Matthew H. Rudzinski – production and mixing on the 2003 remix/remaster
Personnel
Prayer for Cleansing
- David Anthem – vocals
- Paul Waggoner – guitars
- Thomas Rogers – guitars
- James Chang – bass
- Will Goodyear – drums, clean vocals on "Salvation"
Additional contributors
- Jamie King – recording and mixing engineer