Painkiller is a band renowned for their adventurous fusion of avant-garde jazz, grindcore, and experimental music, forming a genre-defying entity that has left a distinct mark on the alternative music scene since their inception in the early 1990s. The group was initially assembled by the formidable trio of John Zorn on saxophone, Bill Laswell on bass, and Mick Harris on drums, harnessing their eclectic skillsets to create a sound characterized by intense energy, complex improvisations, and a bold detour from traditional musical boundaries.

Their discography is an intense exploration of sonic extremes, with early releases like "Guts Of A Virgin" and "Buried Secrets" displaying a compact, ferocious style blending the speeds of jazz with the visceral impact of metal. Milestones such as "The Prophecy" and live recordings like "Talisman - Live In Nagoya" and "50th Birthday Celebration, Vol. 12" reflect the group's ongoing evolution and commitment to live performance, showcasing their ability to create enveloping soundscapes that are as intellectually stimulating as they are viscerally compelling. Painkiller's works, including compilations like "Painkiller Collected Works," have solidified their standing as relentless innovators and influential progenitors in the extreme music landscape.