A bit of thrashin’ never hurt anyone.
Alright, that’s a lie but what’s a bruise or a bump when it’s come from an Evile mosh pit? The UK’s own are just about to release their second album "Infected Nations", the follow-up to 2007’s "Enter The Grave" which was one of the big players in the love-hate thrash revival movement. Right from the get-go of "Infected Nations" it’s clear that Evile have quickly avoided any "novelty" accusations and are ready to launch their career in a big way. Through the wonderful medium of email, UG’s Duncan Geddes spoke to lead guitarist Ol Drake about aspirations, inspirations and Gary Holt playing the banjo.
UG: Hey Ol, thanks for the interview. Your first album, ‘Enter The Grave’, was just the right kind of new-school thrash released at just the right time for you guys to become flag-wavers of sorts for the much-discussed ‘thrash revival’. Two years on, things are a bit different; what have you done to make sure ‘Infected Nations’ has just as much impact?
Ol Drake: "Enter the Grave" was basically us having a laugh, being in a band. Most of the songs on there were written before we were signed, and written without the intention of ever getting signed. With the second album plus the recognition we'd received from "Grave" we knew we had to deliver an album just as good, or better.. We initially started writing straight after Grave was released, but it just wasn't working, everything sounded like tracks which didn't make it onto Grave, as we weren't in the same mind frame as before. That's when we decided we needed to try different things, as to not make a carbon copy of the first album. I think we've really achieved a new path towards the "Evile" sound. We basically just tried to make a modern take on Thrash, instead of an old school take.
You seem to have an interest in much more music than the thrash and death metal bands that are seen on your shirts; that famous term ‘mature’ has been mentioned with regards to the new album, have you drawn from a wider palette of influences this time?
We've always had wide musical tastes, we just never really incorporated anything. How would you ever put King Crimson or Yes into Thrash? I'm into a wide variety of taste, and spend a lot of time learning and listening to it, so I find it seeps into my playing/writing without me even noticing until I think about it, like just now. Ohhhh I see now, ok. see?
How does it feel to be in a band with such acclaim after only one album? Was the writing process for ‘Infected Nations’ any different with the knowledge that you had a much larger audience anticipating new output?
It's nothing but an honour really. We appreciate everyone who buys our albums, comes to our shows, speaks to us and everything. Sure people don't like us, but it's just the same as me not liking certain bands, everyone's entitled to. The writing process was slightly different of course. It initially starts out with one person's idea, which is developed into a song. They'll then bring that song to everyone to learn, we'll then jam it, and see what's good and what's crap. It's a lengthy process, but I'd rather have that than one person in charge telling everyone how things should be. Everyone's alot more comfortable and enjoy playing the songs a lot more that way. We felt a bit of pressure, but once we started enjoying what we were writing, worrying what people might think doesn't even come into it, as we're fans of music ourselves, so we know what we'd like to hear or not.
""Enter the Grave" was basically us having a laugh, being in a band."
You've no idea how good it is. People don't realise we've been playing "old" songs since 2004, and since before grave was released we basically had 9/10 songs, mostly being able to play just 4 or 5 of them a night. To finally have new material written and it getting out there is a breath of fresh air (with no dis-respect to the first album). We're really enjoying playing this new stuff, as we hope people will enjoy hearing them too.
Are you hoping to extend your tour routes to take in more countries, or even continents? Do you think we will be seeing more Evile headline shows in the months to come?
We have a lot of awesome people fighting our corner now, so the plans to get further afield a more within reach, so yes. The USA is a priority for us at the moment, we have plans for that in the works (keep your eyes peeled!). We will be headlining more now, especially in the UK, and branching off into europe, but we'll still be out on the road with other bands. A tour is a tour 'at the end of the day'.
‘Enter The Grave’ was produced by the highly renowned Flemming Rasmussen, but this time the ‘legendary’ status goes to the cover artist, Michael Whelan, who has produced many iconic covers over the years. What made you think to try and hunt the guy down?
Firstly I'd like to say Russ Russell is quite legendary too, working on exceptional albums with bands like Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, The Wildhearts, and many more! I was simply listening to "Beneath the Remains" by Sepultura one day, looking at the booklet, when I joked to Matt "how cool would it be to get Michael Whelan to do an original piece for us", his response was mainly laughing and "yeah, right". I thought "why not?" and e-mailed his management and got in touch with him. He was really into the concept so he got on board. Matt had a basic outline as to what he wanted on the cover, then we gave Michael free reign, and it shows, it's classic Whelan! legend.
Songwriting was credited to the whole band on your first album; do you normally ‘jam out’ each others’ new ideas, or do you come to the table with finished songs and go by whether or not the rest of the guys like it? Are lyrics done in the latter way?
Lyrics are mainly Matt's forte now. I think it makes more sense for a singer to be singing words he himself created anyway. Songs just happen. I might start playing a riff, ben will start playing along, Matt and mike will start playing it too, and we really get into it. I might write a song at home and invite everyone over to hear it, making amendments. We might jam an entire song someone's written at home, and work on it until we're all happy. We might break our Jaw in Holland. Wait that's just me.
Continuing with lyrics, the names of the tracks on your new album appear to be a lot more serious (with the exception of ‘Now Demolition’, which we at the UG metal forum hope will pioneer the ‘construction metal’ genre). Can we expect any more songs about ‘big fookin’ sharks’, or are you resigned to being grumpy old bastards now?
Construction Metal! that song does actually sound like someone working on a building site.....minus the arse crack showing........depending how much mike's had to drink. To be honest, we just want to take things more seriously now.. The first album, like I said, was us just having a laugh, but now this is what we want to do for the rest of our lives, as our job. It just feels right to be taking things more seriously than singing about a shark, or Rambo.. I still can't believe we wrote a track about Rambo.
Your soloing style has always impressed me. Are you the sort of guy who sits with the rhythm track on repeat and shreds like a maniac until something works or do you approach it in a more concentrated way?
Thankyou! It totally depends. If we're writing in rehearsal and it comes to the solo section, I'll know what key it's in and just play something. Sometimes I'll really enjoy what came out and write it down, sometimes I don't and do a dimebag squeel to cover it up and look awesome haha. Most of the time I sit with the solo sections and jam continuously until something sticks. I'll then play what stuck followed by more jamming. As soon as what follows sticks with the other sticky bit before it, it'll stick. If I enjoy playing the solo it works for me. I wrote the solos for "Nosophoros" for several months, and the final ones ended up being the first ones I wrote anyway.
Talk us through your endorsement with Moser’s custom guitars and why you’ve chosen their out-there designs to record with and take on stage with Evile.
When I first saw Moser's "Bastard" V, I instantly thought "I want it, I don't care if it plays like shit". I bought one and it just happened to play great. It took me a while to get used to as I was used to Gibsons, Ibanezs etc. I'm in the process of getting a handmade moser done with Neal of their Moser V shape. Can't wait! Check em out at mosercustomshop.com!
"We basically just tried to make a modern take on Thrash, instead of an old school take."
The Megadeth tour was a shock, we expected to be booed left right and center but they welcomed us warmly every night. Megadeth and crew treated us so well also, so it was all an unbelievable experience. The Exodus tour was outright fun, every night was mental. The crowds were just crazy, and the Exodus lot are awesome too. Satyricon was a strange one, considering their genre of music, but it was still fun. We still have fun playing if there's someone stood there giving us the finger for the entire set. Also, Thankyou! all is better now, my jaw is slowly healing.
Is it a little overwhelming touring with these big thrash bands that have clearly influenced you so much as a band? Any good stories from the time you had with guys like Dave Mustaine or Gary Holt?
I'll say one of the most bizzare experiences I had was witnessing Gary Holt play along to "Master of Puppets" in a German bar, on a Banjo (which he broke a string of), wearing a santa hat, with pink pigtails hanging from it. Just.........wow.
And do you think, if given the chance, you would be able to open for Metallica themselves and just have a chat with them?
That'd be amazing. I don't care what anyone says, I liked Death Magnetic and still think they're a great band.
I think it’s safe to say you’ve had a lot more success than a lot of metal bands do after their first album. You must have achieved plenty of your own goals already, so what are you hoping the future holds for Evile?
To be honest, our initial hopes are to be able to carry on doing what we love and make a living from it. If we can release music, play tours to fans and come back off tour with money to live on we're happy. People don't realise how vital buying CDs, buying Merch, coming to shows etc. it is to a band's survival (personally and career wise). As long as we can continue to play, and get our music to more and more people, we're happy.
And finally, which hot, up-and-coming band would you put your money on becoming the next Evile?
I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
Thanks again for your time, man.
Thankyou! I've got blisters on me fingersssss!!!
Interview by Duncan Geddes
Ultimate-Guitar.Com © 2009
/ my profile 
