Pro-Pain

Pro-Pain is an American heavy metal band based in New York City, formed in 1991 by vocalist and bassist Gary Meskil and drummer Dan Richardson, both former members of Crumbsuckers.^[5]

Pro-Pain
Pro-Pain at Reload Festival 2018
Background information
Origin	New York City, New York, U.S.
Genres	Groove metal[1] thrash metal[2] hardcore punk[3] tough guy hardcore[4]
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Regain Rawhead, Inc.
Members	Gary Meskil Greg Discenza Matt Sheridan Jonas Sanders
Website	pro-pain.com

History

Their debut album Foul Taste of Freedom was released in 1992, displaying hardcore punk and rap metal influences,^[6] after which the band was signed to Roadrunner Records, who reissued the album the following year.^[5][7] Their second album The Truth Hurts was initially banned due to the sleeve artwork, featuring a picture of a stitched-up woman after an autopsy.^[5][7]

The band has released several more albums with a varying line-up over the years, with Meskil being the only constant member. The self-produced album Act of God saw the band signed to Nuclear Blast Records after they had relocated to Sarasota, Florida. The same label released Round 6 in 2000 and the live album Road Rage in 2001.^[8] In 2004, they released their first album for Candlelight Records, Fistful of Hate. Tom Klimchuck left the band in 2011 due to "unexpected circumstances regarding some potentially serious health issues."^{[citation needed]} He had since been replaced by Adam Phillips of Indorphine, who stayed until 2019 when current guitarist Greg Discenza replaced him. On 3 July 2017, Gary Meskil was the victim of a robbery and attempted murder in Belgium while on tour with Pro-Pain in support of their 2015 album Voice of Rebellion.^[9] Pro-Pain remains active as of 2022, and they are currently working on their follow-up to Voice of Rebellion.^[10]

Band members

• Pro-Pain live at With Full Force 2018
• 
  Gary Meskil
• 
  Adam Phillips
• 
  Matt Sheridan
• 
  Jonas Sanders

Current

• Gary Meskil – bass, vocals (1991–present)
• Greg Discenza – lead guitar (2019–present)
• Eric Klinger – rhythm guitar (1999-2007, 2024–present)
• Jonas Sanders – drums (2012–present)

Former

• Tom Klimchuck – lead guitar, rhythm guitar (1991–1994, 1996–2011)
• Dan Richardson – drums (1991–1997)
• Nick St. Denis – guitar (1994–1995)
• Mike Hollman – guitar (1994–1995)
• Rob Moschetti – guitar (1996–1998)
• Eric Klinger – guitar (1999–2007)
• Dave Chavarri – drums (1997–1998)
• Mike Hanzel – drums (1998)
• Eric Matthews – drums (1999–2003)
• Rich Ferjanic – drums (2003–2004)
• JC Dwyer – drums (2004–2009)
• Rick Halverson – drums (2009–2011)
• Marshall Stephens – guitar (2007–2016)
• Adam Phillips – guitar (2011–2019)
• Matt Sheridan – rhythm guitar (2016–2024)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• Foul Taste of Freedom (1992), Energy/Roadrunner Records
• The Truth Hurts (1994), Energy/Roadrunner
• Contents Under Pressure (1996), Energy/Concrete
• Pro-Pain (1998), High Gain/Mayhem
• Act of God (1999), High Gain/Nuclear Blast Records
• Round 6 (2000), Nuclear Blast/Spitfire
• Shreds of Dignity (2002), Nuclear Blast
• Fistful of Hate (2004), Continental/Candlelight
• Prophets of Doom (2005), Continental
• Age of Tyranny – The Tenth Crusade (2007), Continental/Candlelight
• No End in Sight (2008), Continental
• Absolute Power (2010), Continental/Regain
• Straight to the Dome (2012), Sunny Bastards/Nuclear Blast
• The Final Revolution (2013), SPV Steamhammer
• Voice of Rebellion (2015), SPV Steamhammer

Live albums

• Road Rage (2001), Nuclear Blast/Spitfire

Compilation albums

• Best of Pro-Pain (1998), High-Gain/Mayhem
• Best of Pro-Pain II (2005), Candlelight
• 20 Years of Hardcore (2011), AFM

Tribute albums

• Run for Cover (2003), Spitfire

DVD

• Raw Video (2001 (EU) / 2004 (US)), Nuclear Blast/Candlelight

References

1. "Redisovering the '90s Post-Thrash Groove Metal Scene". VH1. August 12, 2015. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018.
2. "PRO-PAIN Act Of God (Nuclear Blast America)". CMJ New Music Report. Vol. 57, no. 607. CMJ Network, Inc. March 1, 1999. p. 33. ISSN 0890-0795.
3. "Pro Pain: '20 Years Of Hardcore' Trailer Released". Blabbermouth.net. August 25, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
4. Paratt, Gregg. "Pro-Pain The Final Revolution". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
5. Strong, Martin C. (2001) The Great Metal Discography, MOJO Books, ISBN 1-84195-185-4, p. 431-2
6. Huey, Steve "Foul Taste of Freedom Review", AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2011
7. Larkin, Colin (2000) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music, Virgin Books, ISBN 0-7535-0427-8, p. 316-7
8. Prato, Greg "Act of God Review", AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2011
9. "Pro-Pain Frontman Victim of Robbery and Attempted Murder in Brussels". Loudwire. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
10. "Pro-Pain - Announce Summer/Fall 2022 European Tour Dates". Metal Storm. July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.

External links

• Official website
• Pro-Pain at AllMusic
• Interview with Gary Meskil