In this Music Monday blog, we are going to get into the latest record from Evile.  The record is Skull. We are going to get into the history and then into the music.  Let us get into the history.

History:

Exile was formed in 2004 as a cover band but behind the scenes, they started to write some orignal songs.  In 2004, the band released their first EP, which is called “All Hallows Eve.”  In 2006, they released their second EP, which is called “Hell Demo.”  Both of these EPs were limited runs of like 200 to 350 units each.  The band went on tour with Excodus in parts of Europe.  The band signed a contract with Earache in 2006.  In that same year, they changed their name from Exile to Evile.  In 2007, the band started to record their first full length record called “Enter The Grave.”  It received some great ratings from the media.  They toured with several different bands throughout 2007 to 2009.  I am talking main acts like Megadeth to Machinehead.  In 2009, the band began work on their second record, which was called “Infected Nation.”  The band’s record had a pretty successful first week of sales.  Later part of 2009, Mike Alexander, who was the bass player, was rushed to the hospital and later passed away.  The band did two tribute shows for their falling band mate.  They did cover songs of Mike’s favorite bands or songs.  The band picked Joel Graham as their new bass player in December of 2009.  They announced US tour for 2010.  They supported acts like Kreator and Overkill.  The Overkill tour is where I saw them and I have been a fan since.  I just wished they played longer.  After, they finished their set.  I went down to their merch stand and brought one of each of their CDs in their music career.  I know it was only two but that is saying something about the band.  The band started to headline some fests or on the main stage.  In 2010, the band started to work on their third record, which was called “Five Serpent’s Teeth.”  The record was released in later part of 2011.  There is one song, which is “In Memoriam,” on this record that is a tribute to their first and fallen bass player.   In 2013, the band began working on “Skull” and it would be their fourth record.  After the record was done, Ol Drake, who is their orignal lead guitar player, left the band.  He was replaced by Piers Donno-Fuller  in 2014.  Let us get into the music.

Track List:

Underworld

There is some sound effects at the beginning of the song.  The drums and guitars roll in with fast and impact to your speakers.  It is fast just like the old school Evile.  This is thrash metal at its finest.  Matt’s singing has always remind of James from Metallica.  This is what Metallica is supposed to sound like today.  I love the lyrics and they are well written.  There is a nice thrash metal guitar solo towards the back half of this song.  It is well written.  There is a nice finish to this song and the opening track.  This is a solid start to this record.

Skull

There is some nice heavy music at the beginning.  I am loving the drums and bass playing at the beginning of this song.  Matt has some nice in face singing.  I love the lyrics and some nice melody.  The music change in the midpoint of the song.  The guitar playing is pretty goof at this point of the song.  This band is living up to the old school thrash metal.  There is a nice guitar solo with some nice time and rhythm changes to it in the back half of the song.  I have always love when they put a ton of reverb on back up singers to give that strong sound to their vocals.

The Naked Sun

I love the guitar playing at the beginning of the song.  The music is pretty solid.  There is some nice lyrics and some great singing at points.  I love the length of these songs.  They are just about right for this style of music.  I love the start to the guitar solo.  It goes into a full force towards the end of the song.  Ol out did himself on this guitar solo.  The drumming is hard hitting.  These guys can sing and they are just screamers.

Head Of The Demon

I love the music at the beginning of this song.  The guitar playing on this record has been awesome.  I am glad to see a band take their time writing some good tunes.  I love the slower pace of this song compare to the beginning of this record.  Matt took his time and put down some well thought lyrics.  I am loving the back up singing on this record so far.  Nice and well written guitar solo is towards the end of the song.  I love double bass on the drums but that was a little out-of-place.  The double bass is so out-of-place and it over took the guitar solo to a point.

Tomb

I love the acoustic guitar at the beginning.  The drumming is well place and I love the style of it.  I love the singing from Matt and he wrote some nice lyrics.  I love how the music is taking shape.  I love the build up to the heavier part of the song.  I love how they returned to the acoustic guitar music towards the end of the song.  It turns into a nice guitar solo.

Words Of The Dead

I love the music at the beginning of the song.  There is some nice drumming and guitar playing.  I love the singing with multiple singers.  I love the bass breaks and the speed of the music.  There is a nice guitar solo towards the end of the song.  There is some nice lyrics and singing.

Outsider

There is some nice new school thrash metal style of music at the beginning.  There is some nice well written lyrics.  I am not sure I feel about the back up singing on this song.  Matt’s singing is solid but I just feel he could sing a little be more than his singing talking style.  There is a talking part that not go well with the song.  I love the scream of “Outsider” and then the guitar solo comes into full focus.  I love the music on this song.

What You Become

I love the music at the beginning.  I am loving the drumming on this song.  Matt’s singing fit nicely on this song.  There is some well written lyrics.  I love how the lead singer blends with the back up singers and back to the lead.  It has a nice touch.  It is hard to describe.  There is an awesome guitar solo towards the end of the song.

New Truth Old Lies

I love the short acoustic guitar and hard-hitting of the heavy music that came in afterwards.  I love the rhythm and melody from the singer.  There is some nice lyrics.  I love the guitar solo towards the middle of the song.   This is part where double bass makes a little bit more sense.  This is a great song to finish this great record.  Evile did a great job on the music and lyrics.

Orignal Line Up:

Matt Drake – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Ol Drake – Lead Guitar

Mike Alexander – Bass Guitar

Ben Carter – Drums

Current Line Up:

Matt Drake – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar

Ol Drake – Lead Guitar

Joel Graham -Bass Guitar

Ben Carter – Drums

Here is their website and twitter addresses:

Website:  www.evile.co.uk

Twitter:  @evileuk

Closing, I love this band and I am glad they brought back the old thrash metal sound and music.  Of course, they put their twisted on it.  Overall, this is a great record.  I love how they kept true to themselves.  Matt has done a great job on the lyrics.  Some of the singing was ok but very good overall. I will be adding this record to my line up of records to play once in a while.  There is some solid drums and guitar playing.  I love the guitar solo but with Ol leaving the group.  How will the music and sound along with guitar solos change?  Will this band change too much?  I hope Evile stays as close to what they were on all their records.  They will change a bit because of the different and new players in the group.  I am looking forward to their new music in future.  This is a great band and album.  I highly recommend it.  Go get some!  Drink it!  Enjoy it!  Metal it!  \m/

Cheers!

Bill DJ Weiser

Email:  djweiser16@gmail.com

Twitter:  @djweiser

Instagram:  @djweiser13