Reverend
Reverend is an American heavy metal band formed in 1989 by ex-Metal Church vocalist David Wayne, who took the band's name from his own moniker, which he acquired as the frontman of Metal Church. Initially formed in L.A, Reverend would consist of guitarists Brian Korban and Stuart Fujinami, bassist Dennis O'Hara, all formerly of Heretic, and Ray Gunn drummer Scott Vogel. This lineup of the band would release the Reverend 1989 EP. Drummer Rick Basha would replace Vogel for the band's first studio album World Won't Miss You. Fujinami, O'Hara, and Basha would leave following Reverend's 1990 tour. Angelo Espino would replace O'Hara on bass, and Jason Ian (Scott Ian's brother) replaced Basha on drums, respectively, for Reverend's second studio album Play God and the band's Live 1992 EP along with second guitarist Ernesto F. Martinez. After Reverend's recording contract with Charisma Records ended, Korban, Espino, and Ian would form the band Seed while Wayne would move back to Washington. He would assemble another incarnation of Reverend with Bill Rhynes on guitar, Chuck Smith on bass, and Jamie Northop on drums. The Washington-based personnel of Reverend would record the 1993 previously unreleased Soul Eater album that would later officially be released by VIC Records in 2026. Drummer Todd Stotz would replace Northop in late 1993. Guitarist Brian Porter and bassist James Cooper would replace Rhynes and Smith in 1994, respectively. Reverend would disband in 1994 due to creative differences. Following the 1999 Metal Church Masterpeace tour, Wayne would bring back Reverend in 2000 with drummer Todd Stotz, guitarist Chris Nelson, and bassist John Stahlman. This lineup of the band would record the 2001 EP A Gathering of Demons. When touring for the EP, Byfist guitarists Nacho Vera and Davey Lee would replace Nelson, and bassist Jay Wagner initially replaced Stahlman before ultimately being replaced by Pete Perez in 2002. The group started work on a new album entitled Resurrection or Resurrected, but it was never finished. Reverend would play their final show with Wayne on December, 13, 2002. In June 2004, Wayne planned to relaunch Reverend, but it never happened due to Wayne being involved in a serious car crash. In December 2004, Wayne was contacted by Texas Metal Health for Reverend to appear at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society benefit concert. He decided to bill the performance as David Wayne's Metal Church instead for publicity.
After Wayne's death in May 2005, Reverend has gone through several lineup changes, with the most recent personnel being vocalist Bobby Lucas, guitarist Bill Rhynes, bassist Allan Johnson, and drummer Joe Moore.
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