Prayers

Prayers emerged in 2013 as an electronic rock project that fused the icy abrasiveness of Christian Death and Skinny Puppy with the melodic accessibility of Depeche Mode and Pet Shop Boys. Based in San Diego, California, the duo of Leafar Seyer—born Rafael Reyes—and Dave Parley formed after Seyer, who had previously fronted Baptism of Thieves and Vampire, sought a fresh outlet. Their lyrics focused on the dangers of gang existence, drawn from Seyer’s teenage immersion in that world, while reverb-heavy drums, thick synth textures, and post-punk elements prompted the pair to label their sound “cholo-goth.”

The band issued its debut album, SD Killwave, independently in 2013, then followed with the Gothic Summer EP in 2014. A clip for the SD Killwave track “From Dog to God” drew the notice of the Cult’s Ian Astbury, who asked Prayers to support him on a 2014 tour. In 2015 Seyer earned honors for Best Music Video and Best Music Video Editing at the San Diego Film Festival. That year also brought the second album, Young Gods, helmed by blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and led by a cover of Pet Shop Boys’ “West End Girls.” The group collected five nods at the 2015 San Diego Music Awards and took home Best Alternative Band.

Throughout 2016 Prayers prepared new material and issued the single “Black Leather,” which included celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D. After signing with BMG in 2017, the band delivered two projects that autumn: the EP Curse Be Thy Blessings, recorded with the original members of Christian Death and accompanied by the documentary Beyond and Back that documented the partnership, plus the full-length Baptism of Thieves.