Bay Area thrash veterans SADUS have dropped a brand-new music video for their track “Pain,” taken from their long-awaited comeback album The Shadow Inside. Released in November 2023 via Nuclear Blast Records, the record marked the band’s first studio effort in 16 years and a powerful return to their roots.
Frontman Darren Travis dives deep into the meaning behind the song:
“Pain is validation. Pain is the ultimate proof of existence. It’s not just a symptom — it’s a signal that we’re alive, feeling, and fighting,” says Travis. “In a world that numbs emotion, pain becomes the most honest expression. This isn’t passive suffering — it’s active engagement with darkness. The fire symbolizes both destruction and purification — defiance against anguish. Despite the overwhelming presence of suffering, I refuse to be ruled by it. Pain can be a source of creativity. ‘Pain’ isn’t just about hurting — it’s about what hurting reveals, what it demands, and what it can become.”
Formed in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area thrash scene, SADUS reunited in 2017 and took their time crafting The Shadow Inside. Recorded with Juan Urteaga (EXODUS, TESTAMENT, MACHINE HEAD) at Trident Studios, the album captures the essence of classic thrash aggression with a modern edge — fierce riffs, razor-sharp rhythms, and Travis’s unmistakable vocals cutting through the chaos.
Discussing the album’s creation as a duo, Travis explained that longtime bassist Steve DiGiorgio couldn’t commit due to scheduling conflicts, leaving Travis and drummer Jon Allen to complete the record themselves:
“It’s a huge undertaking to write a whole SADUS album,” Darren told Heavy Music HQ. “Jon moved into my house for a year, so we had plenty of time to write together — a total blessing. When it came time to record, Steve wasn’t available, but we decided to move forward out of respect. We couldn’t use the name SADUS with new people — so it’s just two Mohicans left for now.”
As for what reignited his creative fire, Travis credits a bit of modern inspiration:
“I had a new app on my phone that helped me get back into riff-writing. It got me reinspired to bust out some really good stuff — and no one had to listen to me blasting amps in the house. It’s all digital — awesome.”
With “Pain” now brought vividly to life on screen, SADUS prove that their thrash fire still burns fierce — raw, reflective, and unrelenting.