EVILE „“Infected Nations””

Music: Thrash
Country: UK
Web site: http://www.evile.co.uk/splash.html
Cool Songs, Infected Nations, Nosophoros, Devoid of Thought

EVILE’s 2007 release “Enter the Grave” placed them near the top of the new school thrash movement. Still wet behind the ears in the music industry, EVILE secured coveted tours opening for EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD and MEGADETH. Now the group hopes to keep the momentum rolling with its new studio full-length “Infected Nations.”

Like its crossover label mates from across the pond, MUNICIPAL WASTE, EVILE takes a more serious and mature approach to its newest release. Lyrical themes of government tyranny and the resulting apocalyptic scenarios produce a graver mood than the action hero/comic book ideas presented on the last album. Since the group opted to not use famed producer Flemming Rasmussen (early METALLICA, MORBID ANGEL) this time around, producer Russ Russell brings a more polished and modern sound. Most important, though, EVILE diversifies its sound beyond the SLAYER worship of its last album.

EVILE still keeps one foot planted firmly in the tradition of San Francisco Bay area thrash, but puts the other foot—most notably in the area of production—into modern territory. SLAYER, METALLICA, ANNIHILATOR are all names that may come to mind after spinning this disc. The tour with MACHINE HEAD seems to have rubbed off on EVILE, particularly on Matt Drake. During choral passages, Drake uses a clean voice with a slight hardcore burliness that recalls Robb Flynn of MACHINE HEAD fame.

“Infected Nation” begins with a dark melody of the older METALLICA sort, and then explodes into slick speed picking rhythms. The instrumental “Hundred Wrathful Deities” starts in a similar fashion, maybe more in line with “Arise” era SEPULTURA (EVILE tapped SEPULTURA artist Michael Whelan for the cover), but over extends its stay after eleven minutes. Parts of “Now Demolition,” “Plague to End All Plagues,” and “Metamorphasis” all tend to drag onward with repetitive, mid tempo rhythms, but guitar solos, lead harmonies and furious drum fills keep things interesting.

EVILE plays its best hand with the tracks “Nosophoros” and “Genocide.” The former track moves cohesively during the pre-verse, in turn producing top-notch speed metal. Later into the track, the group plays a death-metal-roots rhythm in the tradition of POSSESSED or KREATOR. EVILE produces an atmospheric jam part during “Genocide,” something not seen on past efforts. Another speed metal gem, “Devoid of Thought” takes an unrelenting nosedive for the throat.

In bonus DVD on “Enter the Grave,” EVILE states they can’t relive the eighties, because they were too young to experience it. “Infected Nations” upholds that statement, resulting in bittersweet results. On the one hand, the group matured and took a step away from what some may have deemed a SLAYER rip off band. On the other hand, emulating SLAYER was not a bad thing because the group did it so well. In doing so, EVILE lost much of its propelling force, especially speed wise. However, the group’s vocals, guitar harmonies and solos vastly improved. Overall, “Infected Nations” is a good album, just not quite as good as “Enter the Grave.”

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

01. Infected Nation
02. Now Demolition
03. Nosophoros
04. Genocide
05. Plague To End All Plagues
06. Devoid Of Thought
07. Time No More
08. Metamorphosis
09. Hundred Wrathful Deities
Total Playing Time: 58:56

Line-up

Matt Drake – Vocals, Guitars
Ol Drake – Guitars
Mike Alexander – Bass
Ben Carter – Drums