Written by: Alex Green
The Bay Area thrash metal brotherhood is joining forces to support former Death Angel founding member Dennis Pepa as he battles cancer.
The fifty-nine-year-old former bassist of the Bay Area thrash legends is batting duodenal cancer, which is a rare disease of the small intestine.
To support the ailing musician, an event dubbed Heal As One: A Benefit For Dennis Pepa will be held January 24th, 2027 at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco.
Although the schedule of performers has yet to be announced, it has been confirmed there will be appearances by members and ex-members of Exodus, Slayer, Death Angel, Testament, Forbidden, DRAIN, D.R.I., Heathen and Nevermore.
Hirax will be playing as set as well as Pepa’s son’s band P.O.S. and Big Shrimp, which features Pepa himself.
There will be auctions, donations and various merchandise for sale, all with the intention of helping Pepa defray living and medical expenses..
On his GoFundMe page earlier this month, the musician wrote: “I’m asking for help to pursue treatment at the Immunocine Cancer Center in Mexico and support my family through the months ahead. I’ve been researching the Center, and it offers something called dendritic cell immunotherapy, which uses a patient’s own immune cells and tumor material to prepare a personalized treatment. The aim, as the Center explains it, is to help the immune system recognize and attack the cancer in the best possible way, based on your unique body.”
He went on to write: “I want to carry on watching my sons Maddox (22) and Roman (19) grow and build lives of their own. And I want to be beside them, helping them to continue becoming strong, compassionate men. I want to marry my fiancé, Gemalyn, and continue being present for the people I love most. As a family we have so many plans, so many memories to create, and so many special moments ahead of us.”
The original singer of the band from 1982-1984 before Mark Osegueda took over vocal duties, Pepa played on five of Death Angel’s album, including Frolic Through The Park and The Ultra-Violence.
Although Pepa left Death Angel in 2008, the brotherhood of the Grammy-nominated band remains strong. The group wrote on social media: “Please help our brother, friend, cousin, and founding member of Death Angel, Dennis Pepa, in his fight against cancer. He really needs the Metal community and beyond to come together and show their support in unity, as one of our own, that helped define this genre’s sound and attitude, as he fights this battle. Any little bit helps more than you know, including your positive energy, thoughts, and prayers. Let’s show Dennis he’s not alone fighting this battle. He has this whole amazing and tenacious Metal community by his side every step of the way! We love you Dennis! You got this brother!”
