News |

Guitar World Column |

Interviews |

Pictures |

Album Reviews |

Gig Reviews |

Release Dates |

History |

Articles |

Setlists |

Upcoming |

Contact

Track Listing: Five Serpent's Teeth Dreams of Terror Cult External Xaraya Origin of Oblivion In Memoriam Descent into Madness Long Live New Flesh

I was first introduced to Evile while covering the 2010 Bloodstock Festival, and I was blown away. I've seen them quite a few times since then and had the wonderful opportunity to interview them several times. Brother Matt and Ol are fantastic guitar players, laid back and easy going in person, pure shredders on stage. Bass player Joel Graham is congenial, open and honest. Ben Carter - Zombie slayer! So when I got 'Five Serpents Teeth', I knew I was going to love it. It didn't disappoint.

The disc opens with "Five Serpent's Teeth", a blistering mixture of Slayer and Metallica. Sounds a lot like Metallica's first offerings. Indeed the guitar work on this track sounds a lot like Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield's work. This is a great compliment.

"Dreams of Terror" makes your ears bleed and your eyes water. And that's just 54 seconds in. A head banging, circle pit epic. If you aren't dripping with sweat by 1:47 then you are not alive. I look forward to hearing this track live!

The frustrated fosse girl in me loves "Cult", the third track from the album. It's the perfect 8 count (for swing dancing, 4/4 for non dancers). By 2:45 it veers into Testament territory. "Cult" is strong structurally.

"External Empire" is a by the numbers Slayer tune. Slow chunky bits. Blistering Fast bits. Easy to remember chorus. Head banging. Circle pit.

"Xaraya" is a sludgy dirge. It's so thick you need a shovel to get thru. It's moody and evil. At 2:58 it "lightens up" a bit to a more happy head banging tune. But gets moody again at 4:40 with some fantastic guitar harmonies before descending into a scathing guitar riff laden solo.

"Origin of Oblivion" is back to up-tempo head banging happiness.

"Centurion" opens with the familiar Slayer vibe.

"In Memoriam" has the "Escape From Within" vibe. It's moving and soulful. Not for nothing, it brought tears to my eyes. RIP Mike Alexander.

"Descent Into Madness" is a fun circle pit. If anything, I think this track is the perfect circle pit anthem! At 3:48 there is even a groovy walking bass harmony -totally unexpected and exquisitely righteous.

"Long Live New Flesh" is one of those songs that insidiously sticks in your brain. You find yourself humming this tune long after the album is back on the shelf. It's metal in it's purest form.

Overall, Evile's third album 'Five Serpent's Teeth' is, in my opinion, the best album they've released. The band is tight and groovin' with Joel on bass. The album drops on September 26 but you can pre-order it from:

- HMV (with a free signed band photo)
- Play.com (with free patch)
- Amazon.co.uk (with free keyring)
- iTunes

Tweet