EVILE (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for taking the time. What¹s the band currently up to?
No, thankyou for speaking with us! at the moment we’re just winding down from a long festival run. We’ve started rehearsing the new album material for the mammoth touring we’re going to have lined up from when the album is released. We’re really proud of the new album so we wanna get the songs sounding as good as they do on the album
– First off, I hope you don¹t mind to start making some history of EVILE.
We formed a band in 1999 of myself, Matt, Ben and Mike. We started out just playing metal covers in our local area because there were no bands playing pure metal. It got to about 2003 and we got seriously bored of playing other people’s material so we deided to start writing our own. When we headlined the tent at Bloodstock in 2006 members of Earache Records were there and we got an e-mail a few days later about signing. We released «Enter the Grave»
in 2007, «Infected Nations» in 2009 and now «Five Serpent’s Teeth» in 2011.
– And what are the main musical influences for the band? As I think we can, overall, find elements from classic Thrash Metal bands.
We have obvious influences from bands like Metallica, Sepultura and Slayer; but we each have individual different musical tastes. Matt is into Queen, Creedence and the Beatles. We don’t tie ourselves to listening to one style of music.
– Your new «Five Serpent¹s Teeth» will come out next September; what are your expectations? And how are the first reactions being?
All I know is that we’re really proud of FST. I don’t have expectations; I just hope it is received well and people feel the joy we feel when we play/listen to the songs! the first reactions have been overwhelming; so proud that it’s being received really well.
– How could you describe the sound in this brand new record?
There was a purposeful intention to mix some elements of «Grave» and «Nations» but for the most part make it absolutely new. I’d just say it’s Metal done in 2011. We did the retro thrash on Grave and we did the technical metal on Nations; we just wanted to get straight to the point on this one. Big riffs, hooks and overall fun.
– And what does this album mean to you?
It means a lot. With what’s happened to us over the last year or two, the album says what we’ve been feeling and what we’ve gone through. While we were tracking the album I could feel everything that’s hapopened and I think that’s come across in the music.
– I noticed this album is faster and more aggressive as well. Was there any concrete reason for this?
There was a lot of anger to vent, and the anger could only be expressed through speed and agression. Other than that we just know how much our fans love the speed picked, neckbreaking riffs.
– You have always mixed Thrash at the old school vein with a modern production. How important and how easy is keeping this balance in your music?
It’s never intentional, it’s just our style. We write and play what we do naturally from what we’ve grown up with and what we want to play at the moment. We also want a great production to accompany that, and I think Russ captures what we’re doing now perfectly.
– I’d dare say this is, in my humble opinion, your best effort so far, what are your thoughts on this? Does this album shape the definitive EVILE’s degree of maturity?
Every band says their latest album is their best. So I’ll say it is hahah. But seriously, so much blood, sweat and tears have gone into this record that I think it’s paid off. I enjoy the songs on this album more than any we’ve done yet as we spent SO much time creating them. When we finished «Nations» the songs were already being born so it’s literally been two years in the making. I’m even starting to write material for album 4 now.
– After Mike Alexander sadly passed away; did you ever think everything would end for EVILE?
When we were driving back from Sweden we were all sat in silence, probably all thinking the exact same things. Someone (I can’t remember who) said
«will we carry on?» and as soon as I heard someone say it out loud, the answer was obvious. I personally had a period of time I was at the lowest of the low and seriously considered just stopping, getting a 9 til 5 job and earning some
money, but it would not only be an insult to all the work we’ve put in with Mike; but it’s also the only thing I can do, and the only thing I WANT to do. I love it too much to give up. We mostly decided to carry on for Mike, as he’d call us idiots for carrying on, plus his family said they’d like us to.
– You have worked, once again, with Russ Russell, so I guess you may be happy with his work….
Yes, he’s a perfect producer for us. This time around he was a lot more open about what he thought, as he knew us a lot better. On Nations he put in a lot of input but in hindsight I could tell he held back sometimes on suggestions. This time round he told us 100% everything he thinks we should do, and that helped shape the album a lot. He’s not only a great engineer/producer but has a great musical mind akin to our own, so it’s a perfect combination for us.
– How did you approach this time the songwriting process?
over the 2 years it started out as just riffs floating about, then the riffs would be written into a basic song. The song would be taken to the whole band then played through. A long process would start of getting the song sounding the best it could to all 4 of us. We try to make every single
person happy with the songs. A lot of the time I’ll write the initial riff, I’ll write the track, Matt will tell me if it sucks or not, then we’ll all learn it and jam it through in rehearsal.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans?
Our only plans are to tour as much as possible. I think that will always be our plan. We want to play everywhere we’ve played before and beyond. We want to hit every corner of the world. Please check out Five Serpent’s Teeth and spread the word!
– That’s all, thanks again. Now feel free to add some final words.
Thankyou! I just want to say support new bands. You have no idea how much new and upcoming bands need your support. Buy their CDs, go to their shows, buy their merch, spread the word of the band. New bands need their fans’ support!!
Ol Drake
