There is no doubt that Thrash Metal has made a defining comeback in recent years. With younger bands like Warbringer and Toxic Holocaust, the Thrash assault is definitely upon us. One band that has made a huge impact on the scene is the mighty Evile. Hailing from Huddersfield, England Evile has been hard at work with tours, writing, recording, you name it. Their dedication and true love for the genre make this band a must see for the fans of modern and old school Thrash. With their new album on the horizon, there is still much left undone for Evile, so expect to see much more of them in the future. I had the opportunity to chat with Ol Drake, and in this interview Ol sheds light on the new album "Five Serpent’s Teeth", the importance of supporting metal, and the passing of a dear friend and ex-Bassist Mike Alexander. Here is Ol to tell you all about it.
British thrashers EVILE recently finished recording their forthcoming new album, FIVE SERPENT’S TEETH, which is due to be released on September 26th.
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE reveals the track listing for the new album:
“Here’s the full track list for our new album, Five Serpent’s Teeth. There’s such diversity through this album that I simply can’t wait for people to hear these tracks. We spent a long time in the studio and at home figuring out the best order we could place these tracks in to flow perfectly through the album. The tracks go from the stomping heaviness of ‘Cult’, to the eeriness/melancholy of ‘In Memoriam’, to the pure insanity of ‘Descent Into Madness’. You may have already hear ‘Eternal Empire’ at earache.com/fst, and if you were at Download festival last weekend and you came to see us, you heard ‘Cult’.”
The full track listing for FIVE SERPENT’S TEETH is as follows:
01. Five Serpent’s Teeth
02. In Dreams of Terror
03. Cult
04. Eternal Empire
05. Xaraya
06. Origin of Oblivion
07. Centurion
08. In Memoriam
09. Descent Into Madness
10. Long Live New Flesh
OL DRAKE comments on EVILE’s recent performance at the UK’s Download festival:
“We had a blast at Download festival. It was our first time there and we were shocked to see how many people squashed into the tent – and it wasn’t even raining! Kerrang gave us the most prestigious honour of a KKKKK review of the show, another thing we were shocked about. We’re now preparing for our next few runs of festivals throughout Europe, all of which you can see at http://www.evile.co.uk/gigs.php”
See EVILE live on tour this summer at the following shows:
Jul. 01 – Löbnitz, Germany – With Full Force
Jul. 08 – Gävle, Sweden – Getaway Rock
Jul. 09 – Pecs, Hungary – Rock Marathon
Jul. 14 – Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany – Dong Open Air
Jul. 15 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Metalcamp Festival
Jul. 17 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters of Rock
Jul. 27 – Bladel, Netherlands – Totaalfestival
Aug. 13 – Oulu, Finland – Jalometalli Festival
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available to download now for the Rock Band video game, along with every song from the band’s last album, INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now from EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
UK fans can also tune into the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter tonight between midnight and 2am to hear the radio debut of the track.
And don’t forget, Evile are playing at the legendary Download festival this Saturday, June 11th, so go along and show your support for the band!
You can also catch Evile live at the following shows:
Jun. 11 – Donington, UK – Download Festival
Jul. 01 – Löbnitz, Germany – With Full Force
Jul. 08 – Gävle, Sweden – Getaway Rock
Jul. 09 – Pecs, Hungary – Rock Marathon
Jul. 14 – Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany – Dong Open Air
Jul. 15 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Metalcamp Festival
Jul. 17 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters of Rock
Jul. 27 – Bladel, Netherlands – Totaalfestival
Aug. 13 – Oulu, Finland – Jalometalli Festival
Enjoy “Eternal Empire”!
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE comments:
“It is with great pleasure that we can release ‘Eternal Empire’ from our upcoming Five Serpent’s Teeth album for your listening pleasure. It was very difficult to pick a single track to showcase the vast diversity included on this album, and I think this one is a good medium to show the direction we have gone with on FST. I can’t wait for you to hear more of the album as, like I said, this album goes through quite a lot of different moods and emotions, in terms of feel and direction, yet is still rooted in the ‘Evile sound’. The awesome Daniel P. Carter of Radio 1′s Rock Show will be playing the radio debut of the track TONIGHT on BBC Radio 1, so tune in! We will also be showcasing another brand new track at Download Festival this weekend. Lots of Serpent’s Teeth coming your way! See you on that road soon!”
OL DRAKE, lead guitarist for British thrashers EVILE, has created a number of instructional guitar videos, showing fans how to play some of the band’s most well-known tracks.
OL DRAKE comments:
“I get a lot of people asking me to tab out Evile songs, but I don’t have the time. This led me to take a look at the guitar tabs that were up online. I love that people have taken the time to tab our songs out, but there are mistakes, so I thought why not show people all the little details that are always missed. I don’t want to do too many, as I think it’s hugely beneficial to spend the time learning things by ear.”
Check out the EVILE instructional guitar videos and see if you can play along:
EVILE recently finished recording their new album, FIVE SERPENT’S TEETH, which is due to be released on August 29th.
Don’t miss EVILE performing live at the following shows:
May 28 – Dokkum, Netherlands – Dokk’em Open Air
Jun 11 – Donington, UK – Download Festival
Jul 01 – Löbnitz, Germany – With Full Force
Jul 08 – Gävle, Sweden – Getaway Rock
Jul 09 – Pecs, Hungary – Rock Marathon
Jul 14 – Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany – Dong Open Air
Jul 15 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Metalcamp Festival
Jul 17 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters of Rock
Jul 27 – Bladel, Netherlands – Totaalfestival
Aug 13 – Oulu, Finland – Jalometalli Festival
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available to download now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
British thrashers EVILE have revealed that American comedian BRIAN POSEHN will appear as a guest on the band’s new, as-yet untitled album.
The comedian and self-professed metal nerd teamed up with EVILE to record backing vocals for the new album, which is due to be released later this year on Earache Records.
BRIAN POSEHN comments:
“I’m very excited that my yelling will be featured on the next Evile disc; they’re one of my favorite newish bands and, in my not-so-humble opinion, the British saviors of thrash metal!”
The band posted the second most recent video over the Easter weekend, giving a sneak preview of some new material. Incase you missed it, watch it now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLFmaWk7NDk
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE comments:
“We made it. Evile’s third album is mixed and completed. No one got in any fights, no one shouted the word “Fuck” into anyone’s face and it’s sounding great. From the last video it was quite evident that we’ve done a slow, cleaner and more eerie track. The song’s initial intention was for Mike/because of the loss of Mike. We all have our individual thoughts on the track; in my eyes the track is for Mike, and for anyone who has lost anyone close or special to them in their life. If people don’t like the track or don’t understand its sentiment/meaning, I really couldn’t care less; it was conceived for us and Mike alone. As Russ said, “It’s a brilliant song for a brilliant guy”.
“A fan (Tom Myton) messaged Russ and Matt via Facebook asking if he could come get ‘Enter the Grave’ signed and just say hi, as he lives just down the road from the studio. We just happened to have enough time the next day to take a break from mixing and let him in. We let him listen to a track and hang out for a bit; it was great to have the song listened to by an outside party and for it to be complimented well. Cheers Tom! Hope you like the finished product.
“We had a great time recording with Russ this time. I think because he knew us a lot more, he didn’t hold back on any suggestions this time, which I’m glad of. This was also our first time recording with Joel. Because we get on with Joel really well, it was just a breeze. He had just as much input as anyone else in the band and it was fun tracking a bassist who uses his fingers and a pick depending on which he wants in certain songs (I think we even got some slap bass in there for a laugh).
“I just want to thank all fans of Evile, old and new, for the continuing support and for following our progress on album 3. With what we’ve been through over the past two years, we’ve literally poured our heart and soul into this material for the past year or two, and worked our arses off for the past five weeks getting the album sounding the best it can for us and for you. I hope all the journalists who hear the album to review it simply review the album and leave it at that. The album is obviously going to be put up on the internet after its release, but when it leaks prior to its release date, I can tell you from an artist’s point of view it’s slightly heartbreaking. Am I not supposed to say that? Oh well. I hope you all enjoy our third instalment of Evile as much as we are!
“This one’s for you, Mike.”
If you missed any of EVILE’s previous studio videos, you can still watch them all here:
30 Apr – Barroselas, Portugal – SWR Barroselas Metalfest XIV
28 May – Dokkum, Netherlands – Dokk’em Open Air
10-12 Jun – Donington, UK – Download Festival
01 Jul – Löbnitz, Germany – With Full Force
08 Jul – Gävle, Sweden – Getaway Rock
14 Jul – Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany – Dong Open Air
15 Jul – Tolmin, Slovenia – Metalcamp Festival
17 Jul – Vizovice, Czechh Republic – Masters of Rock
13 Aug – Oulu, Finland – Jalometalli Festival
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available to download now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
On arrival to the Underworld it wasn’t surprising seeing the queue going down the street & right around the corner of the venue. There was a great energy outside tonight and after a slight delay with opening time, you could feel everyone’s anticipation in getting in and hitting the bar!
I wasn’t sure how tonight was going to go, seeing two thrash metal bands supporting a symphonic black metal band, but I am pleased to say it worked for tonight’s gig.
Sunday gigs are a blessing in disguise really, especially if you are having a hell of a bad weekend and everything concrete is collapsing under your feet! So what’s better than going to hell with a perfect soundtrack? Here it is a night to remember for quite sometime!
Evile with Elimination & Mutant; pure British Thrash Metal non stop!
A unique fist in the face that makes an old metalhead like me feel as Bay Area Thrash is just happening in front of my very eyes.
British thrashers EVILE are in the midst of recording their as-yet untitled third album, which is due to be released later this year on Earache Records.
EVILE are recording the new album at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England with producer RUSS RUSSELL (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR), who also produced the band’s previous album, 2009′s INFECTED NATIONS.
Evile 2010
EVILE have been posting a series of videos to give fans a glimpse of what’s going on while the band is in the studio. Watch the new video, part 5:
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE comments:
“We’re reaching the point of no return in the recording process. All drums are down, all bass is down, all rhythm guitars, all harmonies and guitar solos and fifty percent of the vocals are down. All that’s left to do is the remaining vocal parts and backing vocals, then we enter mixing mode. Very proud of what we’re accomplishing and can’t wait for this album’s release. I think this material really shows us coming into our own; we’re much more confident in what we’re doing now and ready to show the world how we have grown and developed musically on the new album… This is the next level.”
If you missed EVILE’s previous studio videos, you can still watch them here:
30 Apr – Barroselas, Portugal – SWR Barroselas Metalfest XIV
28 May – Dokkum, Netherlands – Dokk’em Open Air
10-12 Jun – Donington, UK – Download Festival
01 Jul – Löbnitz, Germany – With Full Force
08 Jul – Gävle, Sweden – Getaway Rock
14 Jul – Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany – Dong Open Air
15 Jul – Tolmin, Slovenia – Metalcamp Festival
17 Jul – Vizovice, Czechh Republic – Masters of Rock
13 Aug – Oulu, Finland – Jalometalli Festival
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available to download now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
British thrashers EVILE recently entered the studio to begin recording their third album.
The band are holed up at Parlour Studios in Kettering and are once again working with producer RUSS RUSSELL (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR), who recorded the band’s previous effort, 2009′s INFECTED NATIONS.
EVILE have posted a brand new video from the studio to give fans a sneak peek at what’s going on so far. Watch the new video below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY12rPqgODk
You can also view a number of photos from the studio on the band’s official Facebook page at http://j.mp/gml1ya
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE comments from the studio:
“All drums are down and sounding great. Huge and well written. Ben did an awesome job and got them down fast. We’re on the eighth day now and we’ve just started tracking the guitars. There’s a very relaxed and fun atmosphere in the studio, so I think that’s helping to get things done. It’s my birthday today too, so buy me some Jagermeister or some porn and shout something at me on Facetube!”
EVILE have a number of summer shows already scheduled, including a performance at the legendary Download festival in the UK. Catch them live at the following confirmed shows:
June 10-12 – Donington, UK – Download Festival
July 17 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters of Rock
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”. is available to download now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
British thrashers EVILE are set to enter the studio this weekend to begin recording their third album.
EVILE will be playing a show in London this Friday, 18th March with CHTHONIC, before heading to Prestatyn, Wales on Saturday for a performance at Hammerfest. The band will then be heading into Parlour Studios on Sunday to begin recording the follow-up to 2009′s INFECTED NATIONS, and will once again be working with producer RUSS RUSSELL (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR).
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE comments:
“This has been one hell of a 2011 already. We’ve been working non-stop on the material for Evile’s third album since early last year, and the past few months saw the workload pile up drastically. We’re on top of it though.
“Tomorrow we play London with our friends Chthonic from Taiwan, then we head over to Prestatyn for Hammerfest. Just like with Infected Nations, we’re again heading to the studio shortly after playing Hammerfest, though this time it’s the very day after. To the great Parlour Studios we will venture along with the even greater Russ Russell. He was at the helm/desk/brain for ‘Infected Nations’, and we see him as a member of the band, even more so on this third offering. We’ll be in there for approximately a month, and we’ll be focusing on roughly ten tracks to delight your ears.
“If I was to say what the direction of this third album would be, I’d have to say a mix of the approach to ‘Enter the Grave’, the ideas on ‘Infected Nations’ and an amalgamation of brand new ideas we can’t wait to try out. We have to try out new things as artists; we don’t ever ever want to stick to doing the same thing all the time. It will be aggressive yet mature, in my opinion, and before your ask – yes, fast.”
Catch EVILE live at the following shows:
March 18 – London, UK – The Underworld
March 19 – Prestatyn, UK – Hammerfest
June 10-12 – Donington, UK – Download Festival
July 17 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters of Rock
July 23-24 – London, UK – High Voltage Festival
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available to download now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
British thrashers EVILE have been confirmed to play at this year’s High Voltage festival, which takes place on July 23rd and 24th at Victoria Park in London, UK.
EVILE were among the latest bands to be recently announced for the UK’s Download festival, as well as Masters of Rock in the Czech Republic. The band are now due to perform alongside even more rock legends at High Voltage, including JUDAS PRIEST, QUEENSRYCHE, JETHRO TULL and more.
EVILE bassist JOEL GRAHAM comments:
“It’s awesome to be added to the High Voltage festival – for the name Evile to be on the same poster that contains the such legendary names of Judas Priest, Jethro Tull, Dream Theater and Queensryche is an absolute mind f**k… It’s amazing. More than a couple of us in Evile are prog fans so I’m sure we’ll be hanging around the Prog Stage a lot. For me personally, I became a huge Jethro Tull fan after doing a deal with my father; he agreed to take me to see Anthrax when I was about 11, if in return he could take me to see Tull around the same time, so he got me hooked. Ol (Drake) also has a very uncanny likeness to a young Ian Anderson, so I’m hoping they bump into each other over the weekend.”
EVILE have also been added to the bill for Masters of Rock in the Czech Republic, where the band will be performing on July 17th. For more information, go to http://www.mastersofrock.cz
EVILE have also confirmed a UK show with Taiwanese metallers CHTHONIC, which takes place next Friday, March 18th at the Underworld in London.
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from the band’s latest album, INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
British thrashers EVILE are among the latest artists to be confirmed for this year’s edition of the legendary Download festival, which takes place 10 – 12 June at Donington Park in the UK.
Following a hugely successful year in 2010, when EVILE won a coveted Metal Hammer Golden God award and spent months on the road in North America with the likes of OVERKILL, FORBIDDEN and KREATOR, the band are now heading to the UK’s home of rock for what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable performance. EVILE will be performing alongside the likes of such rock giants as DEF LEPPARD and SYSTEM OF A DOWN.
EVILE drummer BEN CARTER comments:
“Evile are both honoured and excited to be making our first appearance at Download this year! Donington has been the spiritual home of rock and metal for so many years, now finally we can make our mark there and become part of that legacy. I’ve attended Download in the past, and seen many bands perform on the smaller stages and go on to huge success, and I think that’s what Download can do for a band. There’s something about the place that’s special, so we’re all so eager to get on stage and have our Download moment! BRING IT ON!!!!!”
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from the band’s latest album, INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
OL DRAKE, lead guitarist for British thrashers EVILE, is featured as a guest musician on the new album from German thrash legends DESTRUCTION.
OL DRAKE had previously filled in for DESTRUCTION guitarist MIKE SIFRINGER in 2009 at Portugal’s Caos Emergente festival, after SIFRINGER broke a finger on his left hand. DRAKE was asked to join the German thrashers in the studio to play some solos and harmonies on the new DESTRUCTION release, titled DAY OF RECKONING.
OL DRAKE comments:
“Just got a package through the mail from sir Schmier, which contained the newest Destruction album, “Day of Reckoning”. I had the huge honour of doing a few guest solos and harmonies on the album, as well as on their awesome cover of Dio’s “Stand Up and Shout” (which is one of my favourite Dio tracks!). To fly over there, do some recording, backing vocals and hang out with Mike and Schmier again was an experience I’ll never forget.
“Being a big Destruction fan, I can’t put into words how unbelievable it is, and was, to be a part of the album. Also, with being a Destruction fan, I can safely say this is one of the best albums they’ve done in a long time (no, not because I’m on it… Well, a little haha). Our old bassist, Mike, was a huge Destruction fan, so I really hope he’d be proud. I remember when I told him I’d be standing in on guitar for Destruction’s Mike at a show in Portugal; he simply called me a “bastard”. I think he was more excited than I was haha. Long live Destruction!”
EVILE’s thrash metal anthem, “Thrasher”, is available now on the Rock Band Network, along with every song from the band’s latest album, INFECTED NATIONS. Get the tracks now by heading to EVILE’s official Rock Band Network page at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
British thrashers EVILE have completed a UK headlining tour – the band’s first shows on their home soil since spending months on the road in North America in 2010.
EVILE played five shows around the UK with support from fellow British thrashers ELIMINATION and MUTANT. The band are next scheduled to perform in the UK at Hammerfest in Prestatyn on March 19th.
EVILE lead guitarist OL DRAKE looks back on the UK shows:
“Just got back from our short headline tour of the UK. We had a great time and it was a very successful run. Thank you to every single person who came out and supported Evile and all the other bands! I’ve never seen so many people running/flying towards me whilst I’m playing. It’s very, very difficult to play our songs whilst watching for bodies flying towards you.”
EVILE are this month’s “Artist of the Month” on Rock Band Network. Lead guitarist OL DRAKE is also the latest artist to be spotlighted in the Xbox LIVE “Game with Fame” program. The guitarist will be on Rock Band 3 on Xbox LIVE tonight (Thursday, 17th February), challenging fans from all over the world to join him in playing the latest tracks from the likes of EVILE, OCEANO, CAULDRON and more.
OL comments:
“I’m about to take part in Xbox LIVE’s “Game with Fame” on Rock Band 3 thanks to the wonderful people at Harmonix and Microsoft. It will be between 5pm and 8pm EST [10pm to 1am GMT] today. I warn you, I’m not very good. None of this “Expert” business for me, I just thought it would be cool to play and chat to some Evile fans who play Rock Band 3!”
For your chance to play your favourite tracks from Rock Band 3 and the Rock Band Network with OL, sign in to Xbox LIVE tonight from 5pm to 8pm EST (10pm to 1am UK time). OL will be playing with the Gamertag EvileOlDrake. Simply send him an invite to play and get shredding!
Get practising with EVILE’s anthemic track, “Thrasher”, along with all of the songs from the band’s latest album, INFECTED NATIONS, by heading to EVILE’s official page on the Rock Band Network at http://www.rockband.com/songs/artists/Evile
EVILE guitarist, Ol Drake is the latest artist spotlighted in the Xbox LIVE Game With Fame program. Tomorrow night, Thursday, February 17th 2011 from 5 to 8 PM, EST, Ol will be playing Rock Band 3 and wants fans from all over the world to join him in playing the latest EVILE, OCEANO and CAULDRON tracks from Rock Band Network, as well as jamming to the thousands of other Rock Band favorites available on disc and online.
Sign on to Xbox LIVE from 5 PM to 8 PM EST tomorrow, Thursday, February 17th 2011 to get your chance to play with Ol. He will be playing with the Gamertag EvileOlDrake. Send him an invite to play and get your chance to Game With Fame!
Xbox LIVE users can also find more Game With Fame info on the dashboard.
EVILE have been chosen as Rock Band Network‘s February 2011 Artist of the Month. The thrilling UK thrashers have been waving the flag for the multi-million selling Rock Band video game series ever since their signature song, “Thrasher” was included as DLC for the original game. Now several iterations later, EVILE‘s link to the Rock Band series has intensified thanks to the work of Ol Drake and Rock Band Network.
Go to http://www.rockband.com/blog/rbn-aotm-feb-evile to read an exclusive interview with EVILE guitarist Ol Drake as he talks about the challenge of authoring tracks for Rock Band Network, why he chose to do it himself and much more.
Purchase the entire INFECTED NATIONS album, plus the bonus track “My Parasite” from Rock Band Network here: http://earache.com/rockband/
