The Damning Well

Lore & Background

The Damning Well originated when Danny Lohner was tasked with creating the soundtrack for the 2003 film Underworld. Lohner recruited numerous artists he had worked with, resulting in unusual collaborations. Among these, a group formed that was dubbed The Damning Well, comprising Lohner, Borland, Patrick, and Freese. The group released only one formal track, 'Awakening,' on the soundtrack. Afterward, rumors spread that an entire album had been recorded with producer Terry Date, and that Amy Lee had contributed vocals to a track called 'Power,' but her record label would not allow its release.

Reader's Guide

The Damning Well's significance lies in its brief but notable intersection of musicians from prominent rock and metal acts of the early 2000s. Though the group produced only two songs, its legacy continued through the band Black Light Burns, formed in 2005 by Borland, Freese, and Lohner. Black Light Burns is often considered a spiritual successor, incorporating material originally intended for The Damning Well. The track 'Power' was reworked into 'Coward' on Black Light Burns' debut album Cruel Melody, without Patrick or Lee's vocals. Additionally, some work carried over into Filter's 2008 release Anthems for the Damned, particularly the song 'In Dreams,' written by Patrick and Borland with drums by Freese. The group's brief existence and the unresolved rumors about a full album have contributed to its mystique among fans of the involved artists.

Did You Know?

• Only two songs were recorded by The Damning Well: 'Awakening' and 'Power'.
• Amy Lee of Evanescence sang guest vocals on the unreleased track 'Power'.
• The track 'Power' was later reworked as 'Coward' on Black Light Burns' album Cruel Melody.
• Richard Patrick stated in 2013 that the project 'is done for sure.'