PAINMUSEUM was a side concern of the HALFORD duo guitarist 'Metal' MIKE CHLASCIAK and drummer Bobby Jarzombek announced in 2002. However, the band would become a priority once Rob Halford rejoined JUDAS PRIEST in mid 2003. Jarzombek has a tradition with outfits such as RIOT, JUGGERNAUT and SPASTIC INK whilst Chlasciak had first made an impression with a 1991 demo cassette entitled 'Rock-Et Boulevard'. He released his debut solo album in 1996 on the specialty label Beyond Flat Nine Records under the moniker 'Isolation Chamber' subtitled 'Featuring Guitarist Mike Chlasciak', following this with a further solo effort in 2000, 'Territory: Guitar Kill!!!'.

A debut album, 'Metal For Life' produced by longstanding HALFORD collaborator and stand in guitarist Roy Z, found former DEATH, TESTAMENT, CANCER and DISINCARNATE guitarist JAMES MURPHY handling mixing duties. The sessions would see the TESTAMENT, DEATH and ICED EARTH credited Steve DiGiorgio contributing bass parts. On lead vocals would be the HATRED credited Tim Clayborne whilst backing vocal tracks would be supplied by the OVERKILL and ANNIHILATOR credited Joe Comeau.

Chlasciak would also act as special guest on the 2003 CONSORTIUM PROJECT album, 'Terra Incognita (The Undiscovered World)'. In December he would also guest on HAMMERFALL vocalist Joacim Cans debut solo record and sessions for DREAM EVIL. During early 2004 Chlasciak donated his services to a tribute album 'Within The Mind' assembled by guitarist JAMES MURPHY in honour of the late DEATH mentor Chuck Schuldiner.

PAINMUSEUM's performance at the New Jersey 'March Metal Meltdown VI' would see ANNIHILATOR and OVERKILL man Joe Comeau stepping in as temporary bassist. Mike Chlasciak joined the ranks of veteran Thrash act TESTAMENT in April of 2004. The 'Metal For Life' album finally emerged in November. A special release party concert, held on 20th November at the Cup Complex in Linden, New Jersey, would be filmed for DVD release. Standing in on bass for the evening would be SYMPHONY X man Mike LePond.

Chlasciak joined ex-SKID ROW singer SEBASTIAN BACH's band in March 2005. That October he reprised his role in the ranks of TESTAMENT for festival gigs in Mexico, Brazil and Chile. With Chlasciak retained for the SEBASTIAN BACH band supporting GUNS N' ROSES throughout Europe and the USA in 2006, the guitarist pulled together PAINMUSEUM colleague drummer Bobby Jarzombek and SPREAD EAGLE's Rob DeLuca on bass for an instrumental set as opener at two Bach solo concerts, held November 7th at the Webster Theatre in Harford, Connecticut and the 12th at Crocodile Rock, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Mike Chlasciak commenced work on a solo album dubbed 'The Metalworker' in July 2009. In August Chlasciak launched the 'Metal Heroes Music Academy', described as "the world's first heavy metal institution providing workshops, extended sessions and summer camps for metal players at all levels".