The Bay Area thrash community is rallying around one of its founders. “Heal As One: A Benefit For Dennis Pepa” takes place Sunday, Jan. 24, 2027, at DNA Lounge in San Francisco. Current and former members of Exodus, Slayer, Death Angel, Testament and more are scheduled to play this Dennis Pepa benefit for the Death Angel co-founder, who, according to the announcement, was diagnosed with Stage 4 duodenal cancer in early 2026.
Announced Oct. 29, the show is billed as “An Evening With Friends,” an all-star gathering of musicians from across the metal world. Hirax appear as very special guests, and more performers plus a special guest emcee will be announced.
Who Is Playing the Dennis Pepa Benefit
The announcement lists current and former members of these bands:
- Exodus
- Slayer
- Death Angel
- Testament
- Forbidden
- Drain
- Heathen
- Nevermore
- Vain
- Sacrilege B.C.
- Skinlab
- D.R.I.
No individual musicians have been named yet, so which players from each band will take part is still to be revealed. Organizers say more guests will be added in the coming weeks.
Two Generations of Pepas Open the Night
The opening set is a family affair. San Francisco punk band P.O.S. (Product Of Society), fronted by Dennis Pepa’s son Roman Pepa, starts the evening. Pepa’s own side project, Big Shrimp, then joins P.O.S. to close out their set, putting two generations of the family on the same stage.
A pop-up shop from Nomadic Inc., a business Pepa founded with his fiancée, Gema, will also be at the event, selling organic tinctures, throat sprays and other specialty products.
Dennis Pepa’s Place in Bay Area Thrash
Pepa co-founded Death Angel in 1982 with his cousins Rob Cavestany, Gus Pepa and Andy Galeon. He was the band’s original lead singer before Mark Osegueda took over the mic in 1984, and he stayed on bass. That lineup went on to record The Ultra-Violence (1987), Frolic Through The Park (1988) and Act III (1990), according to the band’s documented history.
Pepa came back when Death Angel reunited in 2001 and played on The Art Of Dying (2004) and Killing Season (2008). He played his final show with the band in October 2008 in San Francisco. The benefit’s name echoes Kill As One, Death Angel’s 1985 demo, which was produced by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett.
The scene has done this before. Death Angel’s own 2001 reunion happened at Thrash Of The Titans, a Bay Area benefit concert for cancer patients Chuck Billy of Testament and Chuck Schuldiner of Death. Decades later, the same community is coming together again for one of its own.
The Poster: Mark DeVito and Ashley Mitchell
The official “Heal As One” poster has original artwork by Bay Area rock artist Mark DeVito, whose credits include Exodus, Legacy (the band that became Testament), Metallica, Motörhead and The Rolling Stones. It also carries a custom, hand-drawn Dennis Pepa logo by Ashley Mitchell of Vain, the artist who designed Death Angel’s original logo.
How to Help, Even From San Diego
According to the announcement, Pepa faces mounting medical and living expenses after unexpectedly losing his longtime job. Proceeds from the concert will support Pepa, his fiancée Gemalyn, and his sons Maddox and Roman.
You don’t need to be in San Francisco to help. The organizers point supporters to the official GoFundMe, Help Dennis Pepa Beat Cancer, which lists Pepa himself as organizer. In his note on the page, he says the funds will go toward treatment, travel, accommodation and everyday family expenses.
The benefit night will also have exclusive merchandise, auctions, fundraising activities and chances to donate directly. Fans who can’t attend will be able to take part through merchandise, auctions or raffles, with details to be announced.
Tickets are sold through DNA Lounge’s event page. Check there for price and set times, which were not part of the announcement. Locally, San Diego fans know the Hirax lineage through HarXsoN, which features ex-Hirax members. For more on the Bay Area old guard, see our story on Blind Illusion’s live LP from an Exodus bill.
FAQ: Heal As One Benefit for Dennis Pepa
The Bay Area Shows Up for One of Its Own
Heal As One brings members of Exodus, Slayer, Testament, Death Angel and more to DNA Lounge on Jan. 24, 2027, to support the man who helped start Death Angel in 1982. Pepa’s son Roman opens the night with P.O.S., and Pepa’s Big Shrimp joins them on stage.
From DeVito’s poster to Ashley Mitchell’s hand-drawn logo, the night honors Pepa’s place in the scene’s history. For fans in San Diego and beyond who can’t make the trip north, the official GoFundMe is open now, with remote merch, auction and raffle options to follow.
Hop Scout
SDMETAL
Raymond Melendez