Jazz-Metal Trio PainKiller Release First New Album In 30 Years

PainKiller formed in 1991, consisting of composer and saxophonist John Zorn, Napalm Death’s Mick Harris, and bassist-producer Bill Laswell. The trio bridged jazz and grindcore, and their most recent album was 1994’s Execution Ground. Now, they’re back with the long-awaited follow-up Samsara.

According to a New York Times profile, the feat hasn’t been easy. Laswell, now age 69, has been struggling with diabetes, high blood pressure, a blood infection, as well as issues with his heart, kidneys, and lungs. The band has also been dealing with a possible eviction from Orange Music, their New Jersey studio.

“The important thing about PainKiller, and it’s still true today: It’s the most extreme sax-bass-drums group that ever existed,” Zorn, 71, told the magazine. The crew also told the New York Times that another new album is slated for 2025. Stream Samsara below.