Painflow is an industrial metal band from Kokkola, Finland. The band was formed in 1997. Painflow’s first demo would secure a deal with Massacre Records. The band’s debut album was recorded at Woodhouse Studios, Hagen, Germany with producer Siggi Bemm. However, unsatisfied with the mix the group returned to Finland getting Mikko Karmila to conduct a remix.

Just as the album was completed guitarist and programmer Jarkko Mäki unexpectedly committed suicide. Beset by this tragedy the band took time to consider whether to continue or not, eventually resolving to forge ahead with Ville Janatuinen taking over guitar. Debut album ‘Audio-Visual-Aids’ was finally released in July 1999, issued with differing cover art in their home country by Spinefarm Records. The new line-up performed their first live show at With Full Force festival in 1999.