Since their formation in 2002, British thrash masters EVILE have been turning heads and taking names, delivering pure thrash offerings blended with an uncompromising metal assault. Not only have the band played a notable role as the thrash metal resurgence movement of the mid-to-late 2000s, but as Kerrang! praised, they have “carried the genre’s whole ‘revival’ on their shoulders.” This summer, following their latest, critically acclaimed album, ‘Hell Unleashed’ (2021), July 14, 2023 sees the four-piece strike again with their sixth full-length offering, entitled ‘The Unknown’, via Napalm Records! This time, EVILE prove that they are more than just a thrash band, churning out slower tempos with a heavier approach. In addition, melodic vocals meet serious, in-depth lyrical topics – ranging from depression, overcoming loss and recurring nightmares, self-esteem and image, to more personal themes like living with dementia, struggling through the music industry and even the concerns of becoming a new parent. “We’re really excited to start revealing the next page in the EVILE chapter”, says frontman OL Drake. “We’ve taken a completely different approach on this album and I looked inward for inspiration; I’ve opened myself up like I never thought I would. We’ve always been at 500mph, like on the previous album (‘Hell Unleashed’) and this time around we felt we wanted to try the polar opposite – some slower-than-we’ve-ever-done tempos with more melodic vocal hooks, and give Adam some freedom on the leads/writing. I’ve been working on my vocals since diving in the deep end in 2021, and we’ve worked hard for 2 years on this, so I’m excited for everyone to hear the fruits of our labour. We’re really proud of what we’ve all accomplished with this album. This is the one I hope can catapult us to more ears and places we haven’t been before to play for people who are constantly asking us to play in their area. “First up is the title track, ‘The Unknown’. I wrote the basic lyrical content and concept back in 2017 when I was out of the band. The song deals with my fears and anxieties of becoming a father for the first time and all the doubts and worries that come with the responsibilities it brings.” A music video for EVILE’s first single and album title track, “The Unknown”, is now premiering HERE |