Pro-Pain
Formed: 1992
From:
New York,
NY,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Background
Formed by Meskil (ex-Crumbsuckers), Pro-Pain released their debut Foul Taste of Freedom in 1992. The record was an instant success and has since soundscanned over 60,000 units. Successive albums, The Truth Hurts (1994), Contents Under Pressure (1996) and Pro-Pain (1998) saw sales growth continue with combined album sales in the US breaking 100,000 units. All Music Guide said of the band, "Pro-Pain has managed to carve a solid career niche for themselves, built upon a reliable mix of post-thrash precision, and the NYC hardcore code of ethics."
Latest Pro-Pain News
Below is our complete Pro-Pain news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 1 - 20 of 55 1 2 3 Last
Pro-Pain Shares "Stone Cold Anger" Lyric Video
Hardcore heroes Pro-Pain are releasing their new single “Stone Cold Anger”—the final single taken from their new album Stone Cold Anger. The album’s title track shoots ahead with melodic guitars and explodes into captivating vocals—just the right sort of thrilling song for Pro-Pain and their first album in 11 years. "Stone Cold Anger" is enthralling and stirring, as if the New York juggernauts had never been gone! Don’t miss "Stone Cold Anger" - out this Friday, May 15, 2026, via Napalm Records! Additionally, the band is starting their European tour run today in Essen, Germany—find all dates below.
Gary Meskil about "Stone Cold Anger":
"‘Stone Cold Anger’ gives voice to the raw frustration millions feel right now. People are weary of prolonged conflicts, persistent corruption, and the gradual erosion of the rights they expect their elected officials to protect. The need for accountability is clear, and the question before us remains: If not now, then when?" More...
Pro-Pain Premiere New Single & Lyric Video
With just over a month to go before their first studio album in 11 years arrives, veteran crossover band Pro-Pain have released a lyric video for “Scorched Earth.”
Vocalist/bassist Gary Meskil offered the following insight into the track: More...
Pro-Pain Debut Music Video "March Of The Giants"
Pro-Pain have released a music video for their recently issued single “March Of The Giants,” which arrived online, streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below. The clip was directed by Ludo Colapietro and filmed in Belgium. The band will release their first new album in 11 years, “Stone Cold Anger,” on May 15th via Napalm Records.
Frontman Gary Meskil commented: More...
Pro-Pain Premiere New Single "March Of The Giants"
“March Of The Giants” serves as the latest entry in the rollout for Pro-Pain’s first studio album in 11 years. The band are set to release their 16th full-length, “Stone Cold Anger,” on May 15th via Napalm Records.
The campaign began last month with the release of “Oceans Of Blood.”
Pro-Pain To Release New Album In May
Legendary New York hardcore juggernauts Pro-Pain are starting a new era by signing with Napalm Records. With the new partnership comes a new release: their sixteenth studio album, "Stone Cold Anger," will be out on May 15, 2026. The band’s first release in eleven years showcases their explosive energy in its purest form: Stone Cold Anger unfolds heavy, angry, and ready as ever—proving Pro-Pain haven’t lost even an ounce of strength. An exceptionally catchy offering, the new album fortifies its groovy melodies and stirring guitar riffs with furious and inciting, anthemic vocals, turning the ten new songs into worthy follow-ups to their 3.5M-stream hit "Voice Of Rebellion" (2015).
Pro-Pain announce their long-awaited album with a new single: "Oceans Of Blood" is an energetic opening track from an album that shows that the scene luminaries have not lost a step in their three-decade campaign of carnage. With the groovy “Oceans Of Blood”, the New York-bred hardcore outfit returns heavy, angry, and ready as ever.
Gary Meskil about “Oceans Of Blood”:
"A common thread runs through the lion’s share of lyrics found in Stone Cold Anger. Much of it has to do with retribution, and our first single, ‘Oceans Of Blood’, is representative of that. The frustration among people worldwide regarding the rampant corruption and criminality of their governments has reached a breaking point. Wars are being waged in their names, without any consent, funded by their own hard-earned tax dollars. With rising living costs and inflation eroding the value of money, tensions are rising. We’ve already seen this reach a critical level in countries like Sri Lanka, France, and more recently, Nepal, where desperate citizens have taken drastic actions against corrupt politicians, even resorting to violence and destruction of property. When those in power evade accountability for their actions, it leaves the populace with little choice but to assert their rights and take back control." More...
Siberian Meat Grinder Splits With Guitarist
Russian crossover thrash metal outfit Siberian Meat Grinder has revealed in a brief statement regarding their upcoming European tour supporting Napalm Death that they have parted company with guitarist Mikhail Shayev. Their message reads as follows:
"The awesome Matt Sheridan of Pro-Pain will be joining us on guitar for our upcoming tour with Napalm Death Dropdead and Escuela Grind, replacing ex-guitar player Mikhail, who is no longer a part of the band. We are looking forward to playing in your town on the Campaign for Musical Destruction 2023 starting in less than three weeks!"
With Full Force Adds More Bands To 2018 Lineup
The organiser's of Germany's With Full Force festival has announced a further ten bands for next year's edition of the event. This includes Swedish veterans Entombed A.D., as well as Stick To Your Guns, Asking Alexandria, Thy Art Is Murder, Megaherz, Knocked Loose, Being As An Ocean, The Hirsch Effekt, Ze Gran Theft and Stray From The Path. The festival will take place from June 14 - 16 in Gräfenhainichen, Germany.
The current lineup now reads as follows: More...
Headline News
Pro-Pain Vocalist Assaulted In Brussels
Pro-Pain has officially cancelled upcoming tour dates after vocalist / bassist Gary Meskil was violently assaulted and robbed in Brussels earlier this week. The band issued this update via Facebook:
"This past Monday night, Gary was the victim of a robbery and attempted murder in Brussels. He was pick-pocketed of cash, credit card, and passport, struck on the head with an ice pick and then subsequently attacked by a gang of individuals.
"The police have confiscated more than one weapon and they have established the identities of some of the suspects. Gary was quickly admitted to ICU after suffering head trauma (including several fractures to his face and jaw) and massive blood loss.
"Since then he has stabilized and is trying his best to recover, but future surgery may be necessary. We regret to inform the fans that the shows scheduled for Roeselare (July 7th) and Osnabruck (July 8th) are now officially cancelled.
"We will make sure to keep you all informed of any other cancellations and on Gary's progress. Thanks for your support at this difficult time." More...
Pro-Pain Becomes The "Voice Of Rebellion"
Pro-Pain released a new video clip for the song "Voice of Rebellion." The song is the title track of the band's latest album, which was issued back in June via SPV/Steamhammer Records.
The video, which was produced by Kirk Farrington, can be viewed here:
Eindhoven Metal Meeting Reveals Full Lineup
With the addition of Pro-Pain, Soulburn, and Komah, the line-up for Eindhoven Metal Meeting 2016 is now complete. The eighth edition of the annual metal meeting is set to take place December 16th & 17th, 2016 at the reputable Effenaar venue in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
The organization is furthermore proud to reveal the daily schedule of the festival. Single day tickets are going on sale Monday, the 1st of August 2016. The full festival billing is as follows:
Aura Noir (NO)
Archgoat (FI)
Batushka (PL)
Benighted (FR)
Bleeding Gods (NL)
Bölzer (CH)
Burning Hatred (NL)
Caronte (IT)
Cirith Gorgor (NL)
Destruction (DE)
Der Weg Einer Freiheit (DE)
Emptiness (BE)
Endstille (DE)
Enthroned (BE)
General Surgery (SE)
Gutalax (CZ)
Hail Of Bullets (NL – featuring David Ingram [ex-Benediction, Bolt Thrower[ on vocals)
Harakiri For The Sky (AT)
Hell (UK)
Insanity Reigns Supreme (BE)
Illdisposed (DK)
Komah (BE)
Mantar (DE)
Mayhem (NO – ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ will be played in its entirety!)
Memoriam (UK – featuring band members from Bolt Thrower, Cerebral Fix and Benediction)
Moonspell (PT – Special setlist based on the 'Wolfheart' and 'Irreligious' albums!)
Necrophagia (US – pre-party)
Pro-Pain (US)
Protector (SE)
Schammasch (CH)
Schirenc Plays Pungent Stench (AT - pre-party)
Seth (FR)
Soulburn (NL)
Tiamat (SE)
Toxic Waltz (DE)
Valkyrja (SE)
Watain (SE – Exclusive BeNeLux show & unique 'Casus Luciferi' setlist!)
Wederganger (NL) More...
Pro-Pain To Tour U.S./Europe, Catalog Re-Releases
SPV/Steamhammer and Gary Meskil have recently signed a worldwide deal for the back-catalogue of Pro-Pain. The first two legendary albums "Foul Taste Of Freedom" and "The Truth Hurts" will be the first to be reissued (digipak and LP versions). These massive re-releases will hit the streets on May 27th, 2016. More details are coming soon.
In other related news, Pro-Pain announced the band's first North American Tour in nearly 7 years. The tour is scheduled to commence on May 31st at Churchill's in Miami Fl. A European Tour has also been scheduled for the summer, to further commemorate 25 Years of Pro-Pain and to celebrate the re-release of their first two groundbreaking albums "Foul Taste Of Freedom" and "The Truth Hurts".
North American Tour 2016 dates are as follows:
5/31: Miami, FL @ Churchills
6/1: Orlando, FL @ The Haven
6/2: Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
6/3: Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
6/4: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
6/5: Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
6/6: Reading, PA @ Reverb
6/7: New York, NY @ Santos Party House
6/8: Amityville, NY @ Revolution
6/9: Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
6/10: Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
6/11: Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle
6/12: Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
6/13: Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
6/14: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom More...
Pro-Pain Enters The "Age Of Disgust"
Pro-Pain's new album "Voice Of Rebellion" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer on June 23rd in North America and today the song "Age of Disgust" comes online. Check it out below, thanks to MetalInsider.net.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Corey Williams at Sound Lounge Recordings (Venice, Florida), "Voice Of Rebellion" features the following 14 punishing tracks:
1. Voice Of Rebellion
2. No Fly Zone
3. Righteous Annihilation
4. Souls On Fire
5. Take It To The Grave
6. Age Of Disgust
7. Bella Morte
8. Cognitive Dissonance
9. Blade Of The Cursed
10. Crushed To Dust
11. Enraged
12. Hellride
13. DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)
14. Fuck This Life More...
Pro-Pain Releasing "Voice Of Rebellion"
Aggressive, meticulous, passionate, righteous - all distinguishing traits that have come to symbolize the fundamentals of metal/hardcore pioneers Pro-Pain.
Since the band's crushing 1992 NAIRD-nominated debut album "Foul Taste Of Freedom," Pro-Pain has become a staple in the diets of heavy music listeners around the globe up through latest (and 15th) studio effort entitled "Voice Of Rebellion."
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Corey Williams at Sound Lounge Recordings (Venice, Florida), "Voice Of Rebellion" features 14 punishing tracks. Production credits are shared by Williams and Pro-Pain main man Gary Meskil.
"This time around, I decided to get back into assisting with certain aspects of production, and we are thrilled with the end result. Corey is a young and talented engineer/producer, and the sonic brutality we collectively achieved speaks for itself (in my opinion)," says Meskil.
Lead guitarist Adam Phillips states: "The writing process for Voice Of Rebellion was a complete collaborative effort, unlike it's predecessor. So, the end result is a multi-dimensional onslaught of heaviness." More...
Enslaved And Pro-Pain Added To Bloodstock
Feeling the winter chill creeping in? Bloodstock to the rescue then, with three more bands announced to get you hot under the collar.
Norwegian extremists Enslaved are added to Bloodstock’s Main Stage next summer. With a new album due in March 2015 via Nuclear Blast, expect to bang your head to some brand new tunes. Guitarist Ivar Bjørnson states:
“We’ve been to Bloodstock once before in 2009, and not only did we understand then why it has become the most important UK Metal festival – but it has grown to mammoth-proportions since. In sum; what an absolute pleasure and honour to be invited back. We like to think that we too have developed somewhat; having a few new, pretty awesome albums and world tours under our (over-stretched) belts. We can’t wait to come and show the Bloodstock crowd what we’ve been up to. To quote one of our spiritual beacons; General Melchett: 'If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through.'"
Hailing from the frozen wilds of Finland, folk metal six-piece Korpiklaani is set to join the fray in a UK exclusive appearance. Guitarist Country Cane tells us; "After having great fun and sold out shows ?with our good friends in Sabaton and TÝR, we are excited to be back in the UK to play Bloodstock in 2015. We plan to return and get the crowds singing and dancing Korpiklaani style on our next rock n roll adventure.” More...
Pro-Pain Releases Music Video For "Deathwish"
New York's Pro-Pain have issued a music video for the new track "Deathwish." The song appears on the band's upcoming release "The Final Revolution," which is out on November 22nd (Germany), November 25th (EU) and December 3rd (North America) via Steamhammer/SPV Records.
The track listing for the album is:
1. Deathwish
2. One Shot One Kill
3. Southbound
4. Problem Reaction Solution
5. The Final Revolution
6. Can't Stop The Pain
7. All Systems Fail
8. Want Some?
9. Fall From Grace
10. Emerge
11. Mass Extinction
12. Under The Gun
13. Life's Hard (Live 2010) (Bonus Track - Digi)
14. Get Real (Live 2010) (Bonus Track - Digi)
15. Party In Paris (UK Subs cover) (Bonus Track - Digi)
The video was directed by Kirk Farrington. Check out "Deathwish" here: More...
Pro-Pain Reveals New Album Details
Pro-Pain is set to release new studio album "The Final Revolution" on November 25th, 2013 (Germany: November 22nd, 2013; US/Canada: December 3rd, 2013). The track listing is as follows:
1. Deathwish
2. One Shot One Kill
3. Southbound
4. Problem Reaction Solution
5. The Final Revolution
6. Can't Stop The Pain
7. All Systems Fail
8. Want Some?
9. Fall From Grace
10. Emerge
11. Mass Extinction
12. Under The Gun
13. Life's Hard - Live 2010 (bonus track digi)
14. Get Real - Live 2010 (bonus track digi)
15. Party In Paris - UK Subs cover (bonus track digi)
"The Final Revolution" was recorded, mixed, and mastered by V.O. Pulver (Gurd) at Little Creek Studio in Gelterkinden, Switzerland from August 18th to August 29th, 2013.
The standard release will feature twelve brand-new tracks. There will be other configurations available as well, in the form of a Digipak and a Gatefold Album. The Digipak will contain bonus material (including live tracks plus a UK Subs cover) and a foldout poster. Catch the band live: More...
Pro-Pain Signs To SPV/Steamhammer Records
New York based metal/hardcore veterans, Pro-Pain has announced that they have signed a new record deal with German label, SPV/Steamhammer, through which they will release a new studio album later this year.
A&R Steamhammer Olly Hahn stated: "I already worked with Gary together in the 90s and it was a pleasure to see how dedicated he is for his band and the metal/hardcore family in general. Pro-Pain stands always for energetic music and live performances and I´m looking forward to a new masterpiece in the fall 2013!"
Band leader and founder Gary Meskil added: "We are very happy and proud to be part of the SPV/ Steamhammer family! They have a long history of bringing quality thrash to the masses, and so we look forward to releasing some devastatingly brutal new music via this partnership."
The band will be embarking on a European tour next month which will keep them on the road until March, before starting work on their next album.
Pro-Pain Posts Tour Dates
New York hardcore metal legends Pro-Pain have posted their tour dates they will be heading out on shortly with special guests Undivided and Hemlock. Pro-Pain is touring in support of its new album "Straight to the Dome," which will be released Sept. 7th on Sunny Bastards/Goomba Music, with distribution through Nuclear Blast. You may sample all eleven tracks over on the Nuclear Blast website.
PRO-PAIN 2012 Tour
w/guests Undivided & Hemlock
30.08.2012 Berlin (D) K17
31.08.2012.Slany (CZ) Rock na Valniku Festival
01.09.2012 Bad Lauchstadt (D) Die Goethestadt Rockt Vol ll Festival
02.09.2012 Pforzheim (D) Bottich
05.09.2012 Munchen (D) Backstage
06.09.2012 Lyss (CH) Kufa
08.09.2012 Bischofswerda (D) Morbides Festival
09.09.2012 Mnichovo Hradiste (CZ) Vostrov
10.09.2012 Prague (CZ) Modra Vopice
11.09.2012 Trebic (CZ) Club-B
12.09.2012 Havirov (CZ) Stolarna
13.09.2012 Jena F-Haus (D)
14.09.2012 Roermond (NL) ECI Cultuurfabriek
16.09.2012 Drachten (NL) Iduna Matinee Show
18.09.2012 Marburg (D) KFZ
19.09.2012 Cottbus (D) Gladhouse
20.09.2012 Hemeln (D) Sumpfplume 21 09.2012 Essen (D) Endzeit Festival
22.09.2012 Bad Salzungen (D) Pressenwerk
Pro-Pain Announces "20 Years Of Hardcore" Tour
Pro-Pain will soon be releasing a CD/DVD collection titled "20 Years Of Hardcore," and the band has now announced new tour dates in support of the release. Support on the European trek will come from Undivided, Soulline, and Morrigu. The currently announced dates are as follows:
07.10.2011 VOSSELAAR (BE) Biebob
08.10.2011 DEN HAAG (NL) Paard
09.10.2011 LUENEN (D) Luekaz
10.10.2011 TILBURG (NL) Little Devil
11.10.2011 HANNOVER (D) Mephisto
12.10.2011 BERLIN (D) K17
13.10.2011 RUSSELSHEIM (D) Das Rind
14.10.2011 REICHENBACH (D) E-Werk
15.10.2011 BREZNO (SK) Bombura Club
16.10.2011 BUDAPEST (HU) Durer Kert
17.10.2011 LJUBLJANA (SLO) Menza Pri Koritu
19.10.2011 SARAJEVO (BIH) Sloga Cinemas
20.10.2011 ZABOK (HRV) Regenerator
21.10.2011 CLUJ NAPOCA (RO) Irish & Music Club
22.10.2011 IASI (RO) Underground
23.10.2011 BUCHAREST (RO) Wings Club
24.10.2011 BELGRADE (SRB) TBA
25.10.2011 SAN DONÁ DI PIAVE (IT) Revolver Club
26.10.2011 ZURICH (CH) Dynamo
27.10.2011 AUGSBURG (D) Kantine
28.10.2011 VROOMSHOOP (NL) Front
29.10.2011 KERKRADE (NL) Rock Temple
Pro-Pain Posts "20 Years Of Hardcore" Trailer
Pro-Pain has just released a trailer to promote the band's new CD/DVD collection, "20 Years Of Hardcore," which hits officially the streets in North America this Tuesday, August 30th. Check it out below.
The CD kicks off with four brand new tracks to get things moving, and the disc also contains four re-recorded tracks (featuring Pro-Pain alumni Rob Moschetti, JC Dwyer, Mike Hanzel and Eric Klinger), cover songs, and a fourteen-song live set filmed in the Czech Republic, in total bearing over 78 minutes of material. The DVD that joins the disc contains over 90 minutes of additional material, including tons of live footage featuring several full concerts, as well as fan-filmed footage and tons of extras.