Metal Anarchy

Former Death Angel bassist Dennis Pepa is currently battling stage 4 duodenal cancer. You can help him out by donating through GoFundMe.

Pepa said the following:

“My name is Dennis.

You might know me from a Death Angel record sleeve, from work, or from years of friendship. Maybe we’re meeting for the first time here. Whatever the circumstance which finds you here on my page reading this note, thanks for taking the time to do so. It means a lot.

Forgive me, but I’m going to get straight to it because, well, I’m already feeling very vulnerable, and there’s no easy way for me to say any of this.

In February 2026, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Duodenal Cancer. I’d already lost my job of almost 20 years. Suddenly, my family and I had to find money for cancer treatment while trying to keep up with the everyday bills. 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.

Our fundraising goal is $150,000. That will help get the treatment I need in Mexico, and help my family remain supported. It is enormously difficult to arrive at a dollar amount, yet it is the reality of where I am, and I’m asking for help because our family can’t manage these expenses alone. The treatment accounts for the largest part of the goal. Heal Navigator’s public listing puts Immunocine’s treatment cost at $120,000. I still need to confirm the cost of my own care, but that gives you an idea of what we’re trying to cover before we even get to flights and living expenses.

The funds will go toward four areas:

• Treatment: Paying for care at Immunocine if its team confirms I can go ahead
• Travel: Getting to Mexico for treatment and returning home
• Accommodation: Having somewhere to stay while I need to be there
• Family support: Helping with groceries, household bills, and other everyday expenses while I pursue treatment

I don’t need anything extravagant. I just need to be able to get there, have a roof over my head for those 6 weeks, and know my family can keep things afloat back home. Right now, putting those costs together is incredibly overwhelming. Your kind support would give us something to work with as we make the arrangements. $150k sounds huge, far beyond what any one person could offer. But it takes a village, and every cent counts. A $5 donation multiplied many times over is so much more than $5, so anything and everything helps. Truly.

As you can I’m sure imagine, none of it is easy – including this note I’m writing – but I find myself in a saloon I never wanted to be in, and so this has to be part of my fight…because there’s still so much I want to stick around for.

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.

Again, thanks for taking the time to read this note.

Love and best wishes,
Dennis“

Death Angel also commented:

“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!”