Thrash legends join forces: PainDemic announces debut single “FWF”

With former members of Hirax and Wargod, and production by the iconic Bill Metoyer, the band prepares the ground for the EP “McGoveney’s House Party”.

The band PainDemic has announced the release of their debut single, “FWF”, for January 16th. The track serves as the group’s first recording and precedes the release of the debut EP, “McGoveney’s House Party”, scheduled for winter 2026. The single release will be staggered across several dates and digital platforms, starting with Ampwall.

PainDemic is the collision of deep American Metal history with a new energy. The band’s “rhythm section” brings the reunion of Gary Monardo (bass) and Johnnie Tabares (drums), a legendary duo known for their work on the absolute Hirax classics: “Raging Violence” (1985) and “Hate, Fear and Power” (1986). While Gary played on both albums, Johnnie was responsible for the sticks on “Raging Violence”. The duo was also present during the band’s brief return with the EP “El Diablo Negro” (2000).

On vocals, Rob Perkins brings an impressive historical background. Perkins, who had already played with Gary and Johnnie in the band Cold Blood (releasing a demo in 1987), was also a member of Wargod. His history in Wargod includes a first demo recorded by legendary drummer Gene Hoglan and a second demo featuring the late guitarist Michelle Meldrum (who would later form Phantom Blue and Meldrum). Completing the quartet and injecting new blood is guitarist Cheyenne Scott. At just 23 years old, Cheyenne joins the three veterans, creating a unique dynamic between the experience of the old guard and the fury of the new generation.

Cheyenne is an already recognized talent in the scene. In 2023, she was awarded the prestigious Cliff Burton Scholarship. The award was announced by the legendary bassist’s family in June 2023, highlighting that Cheyenne‘s love for the Metallica classic “Creeping Death” was the inspiration to start her guitar journey. The scholarship, funded by royalties from Cliff Burton‘s work, has the mission of helping young musicians follow their dreams — a cause that was passionately championed by his father, Ray Burton.

To capture this raw energy, the band recruited a music industry giant. The single and EP were produced by Bill Metoyer (famous for works with Slayer, D.R.I., Helstar, Sacred Steel, Flotsam and Jetsam, and Hirax itself). Recording for the single took place in August 2025 at Travis Dickerson Recording Studio in Chatsworth, California, with mixing and mastering finalized in December 2025.

The band’s visual identity reflects an organic and old school approach. The band logo was hand-drawn by Dea Monardo, while the cover art for “FWF” and “PainDemic” are by Fae Kington. After the release of “FWF” on January 16th, the band does not intend to slow down. The second single, the self-titled track “PainDemic”, is already scheduled for March 13th, paving the way for the full release of the EP “McGoveney’s House Party”, which is currently in the songwriting process.

The single release will follow this schedule:

16/01 – Release on Ampwall
30/01 – Release on Bandcamp
13/02 – Release on Soundcloud
27/02 – Release on all digital platforms

Photo: Promotional

Contacts: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PainDemicrockband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PainDemic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paindemicrockband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paindemicrockband
Ampwall: https://ampwall.com/a/paindemic
PR Agency: http://www.wargodspress.com.br