Evile

I

n 1999, former school friends Matt Drake (drums) and Ben Carter (guitar/vocals) came together over a mutual love for thrash metal and heavy metal in general and formed a cover band named Metal Militia (primarily playing Metallica classics) Matt's brother, Ol Drake, joined as the lead guitarist, and after Mike Alexander (bass) responded to the band's ad in a local guitar store looking for a bassist influenced by bands such as Metallica, Sepultura and Testament, the lineup was complete, but at the band's first live show, at the Ukrainian Club in Halifax (Halifax, UK - not the Canadian city of the same name), an audience member had a brick thrown at their face by area locals.

In 2004, the band stopped playing covers in favor of original material. Soon after, they independently recorded and released two EPs in limited quantities (250-500 units): All Hallows Eve EP (2004) and Hell Demo (2006).

Prior to the album's recording, Matt Drake contacted producer Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, Blind Guardian, Artillery) via a search on Google and asked by chance if he would like to hear Evile's material. Flemming responded positively, prompting Matt to send some MP3s via e-mail. Supposedly, Flemming never commented on those MP3s, causing Matt to presume that he disliked them, until 'Earache Records' requested his skills as producer for Evile's debut, Enter the Grave (2007). Infected Nations (2009). However, on 5 October 2009, tragedy struck the band when Mike Alexander, died whilst being rushed to hospital while the on tour in Luleå, Sweden of a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot on the lungs). Joel Graham took over the bass slot soon after for the Live at Hammerfest live EP (2010) and Five Serpent's Teeth (2011) releases. In the interim, Evile were asked, by UK Magazine Metal Hammer, to cover a Pantera track for their Dimebag Darrell tribute; the cover track Cemetery Gates resulted.

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