Painkiller

The reunion of PainKiller, the world’s most extreme sax-bass-drums trio, was one of the great musical events of 2024. For the third installment of their new trilogy of albums, Zorn, Harris, and Laswell take a more moody direction, creating two long tracks combining heavy metal intensity with ambient textures and a brooding lyricism. Inspired in part by Arthur Machan’s gothic novella The Great God Pan, the music weaves a frightening tapestry of mystery, horror, and the imagination.

Painkiller: Execution Ground [4 CD]

Originally formed in 1991, PainKiller is a legendary trio that forged a completely unique language blending jazz, metal, grindcore, ambient, dub, and so much more. Recording again for the first time in over a quarter century, these three master musicians have come up with an intense new musical direction. Mick Harris, performing on his trademark electronics, has created a rich tapestry of beats and sounds that have inspired Laswell and Zorn to some exciting new heights. Samsara presents three old friends exploring some bold new sounds.

The Equinox is the exciting follow-up to PainKiller’s acclaimed 2024 release Samsara, and this time around there is greater variety and flexibility in their approach. Six tracks of various feels and tempi are performed with trademark Painkiller intensity, with jazz, metal, noise, grindcore, techno, and more coming together into the PainKiller gristmill. Inspired by the magickal procedures of Aleister Crowley, this new recording is filled with great melodic, rhythmic, and textural invention. Almost orchestral in its layered complexity, The Equinox is an exhilarating masterwork from three radical and uncompromising forces of nature.

Painkiller: 50th Birthday Celebration - Vol 12 [CD]

Painkiller: Talisman - Live in Nagoya [CD]

Painkiller: Prophecy - Live In Europe [CD]