In October of 2006 Evile signed to Earache Records, label home of well-known metal bands such as Morbid Angel, Napalm Death, Municipal Waste and Carcass.
Each band member has grown up with varying musical influences surrounding them and wanted to start up a band which played some of their favourite 80's thrash songs. founded by old school friends Matt Drake and Ben Carter, and after playing with different guitarists and bass players for a year or so, they asked Matt's brother Ol Drake to join as lead guitarist, and after a short search for a bass player they were contacted by Mike Alexander via an ad in a local guitar shop, and Evile was formed.
They are influenced by bands such as Sepultura, Exodus, Metallica, Annihilator and Slayer to name a few. Despite being un-signed at the time, Evile were hand-picked to headline the second stage of Bloodstock Open Air 06, and also to open the main stage of Manchester's own Damnation Festival.
They released "Enter The Grave" in August 2007, following up with "Infected Nations" in September 2009.
On October 6, 2009, bass player Mike Alexander died from a pulmonary embolism.
The band name is pronounced "eeh-vile", according to vocalist Matt Drake.
Formed in 2004, EVILE are one of the most influential and leading thrash metal bands of the 21st century. Originally from Huddersfield, Evile have transformed the metal scene in the UK and beyond, having released four critically acclaimed albums – Enter the Grave (2007, produced by Flemming Rasmussen), Infected Nations (2009, Russ Russell), Five Serpent’s Teeth (2011, Russ Russell) and Skull (2013, Russ Russell). Throughout their illustrious career, Evile have delivered blistering performances at numerous festivals across the globe (Wacken, Download, Alcatraz, Hellfest, Sonisphere) and toured with the likes of Exodus, Machine Head, Kreator, Overkill, Testament, and Megadeth. In addition, they have won numerous accolades and appeared at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards in 2010 alongside Steel Panther, Airbourne, Five Finger Death Punch and Skindred.
In September 2020, seven years since Evile’s last release (Skull, 2013), the band signed to Napalm Records and started recording their fifth album with producer and engineer Chris Clancy, at Andy Sneap’s Backstage Studios. The new record contract and album recording was accompanied by some line-up changes, with Ol Drake taking on fronting the band whilst continuing his role as lead guitarist, and Adam Smith (RipTide) taking over rhythm guitar duties after Matt Drake announced his departure. The thrash metal giants have announced an early 2021 release for their upcoming album, with Ol Drake promising a ‘much more aggressive vein’ to their songs, which he believes is ‘the natural progression for Evile.’
The new incarnation of Evile are now ready to return to the road and deliver their distinctive brand of thrash metal with a new more aggressive twist while maintaining the precise, intricate and insanely fast riffs that Evile are renowned for worldwide.
Cult
Evile Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though faith we sell
You want reward beyond where you lay
Look where we tell
Have you been searching for an answer
To what you hide?
Well keep your soul and your devotion
In us confide
Purify your eyes
For you beg to be ever god's size
We can end your cries
All we ask is that you join our cult
We are the friend you can trust in now
We are your grace
Nobody else will dare question us
This power saves
You haven't seen beyond the real world
We'll take you there
But not before we hear you confess
And say our prayers
Purify your eyes
For you beg to be ever god's size
We can end your cries
All we ask is that you join our cult
We can deliver you
Four winds come into view
Breathe deep of our beliefs
The cult knows you'll never leave
Purify your eyes
For you beg to be ever god's size
We can end your cries
All we ask is that you join our cult
The song "Cult" by Evile is a cautionary tale about the dangers of blind faith and joining a cult. The lyrics suggest that some people choose to believe what they see, instead of believing in something greater than themselves. The cult represents the false promises made by manipulators who seek to exploit people's vulnerabilities and desire for spiritual fulfillment. The lyrics imply that those who join the cult do so out of desperation, hoping for a reward that is beyond their current reach. The cult promises to take them to another world, but only if they confess and commit to the cult's dogma.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency, and the repeated phrase "purify your eyes" suggests that the cult has a very narrow view of the world, and that anyone who does not conform will be seen as impure. The lyrics also suggest that the cult has a lot of power and influence over its members, as nobody else will question it. The final stanza implies that once you're in the cult, you'll never be able to leave, as the cult knows all your secrets and can use them to keep you under their control.
Line by Line Meaning
They say believing is what we see
We only accept what we can see, proving our faith with facts and figures.
Though faith we sell
We sell our beliefs with unyielding devotion, without regard for our customers' needs.
You want reward beyond where you lay
You desire success greater than what you currently possess, and we promise this through our beliefs.
Look where we tell
Our group dictates where you should look in order to achieve the success and rewards promised.
Have you been searching for an answer
Are you looking for a solution to your problems or dilemmas?
To what you hide?
To the deepest, darkest secrets you keep hidden from the rest of the world?
Well keep your soul and your devotion
Give us your devotion, and we promise to keep your soul from danger.
In us confide
Trust us with your deepest fears and desires, and we will guide you towards success and happiness.
Purify your eyes
Clear your vision of any doubts or distractions.
For you beg to be ever god's size
You yearn to be as powerful or divine as a deity.
We can end your cries
We promise to eliminate your pain and struggles.
All we ask is that you join our cult
Our only request is that you join our group and follow our beliefs.
We are the friend you can trust in now
We are the only ones you can rely on for support and guidance.
We are your grace
Our group is your only source of salvation or divine favor.
Nobody else will dare question us
No one else in the world dares to question our beliefs or practices.
This power saves
The strength of our group will save you from any danger or hardship.
You haven't seen beyond the real world
You are currently unaware of the deeper truths and secrets of the universe.
We'll take you there
We will be your gateway to understanding the secrets of the world and achieving your deepest desires.
But not before we hear you confess
Before you can begin to receive our guidance, we must know every detail of your life and innermost thoughts and secrets.
And say our prayers
You must also show your commitment to our group by reciting our holy texts and performing our rituals.
We can deliver you
We have the power to save you from any danger or struggle.
Four winds come into view
Our group is able to control all aspects of the world, including the forces of nature.
Breathe deep of our beliefs
Fully commit to our group's beliefs and teachings.
The cult knows you'll never leave
We are confident that once you join our group, you will never stray or leave our teachings.
Contributed by Violet P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@biffbutkus8185
Still listening to this in 2023. Metal Rules!
@jmyers95655
Holy shit! What rock have I been living under? I just heard about these guys today. Wow. Just bought this album on the strength of this song.
@11DNA11
Wait till you hear their new stuff ;) Coming out in 2 days.
@jmyers95655
@@11DNA11 Can’t wait to hear the new stuff! It’ll give my old Exodus & Death records a rest.
@11DNA11
@@jmyers95655
According to Ol. "It's the best fucking thrash album in the last 2 decades" :D
@biffbutkus8185
This album was incredible along with their 1st album.
@sethf6940
Is everyone gonna ignore how fucking sick that guitar is
@biffbutkus8185
He is very very good. Love how dark this band is and you can understand the lyrics without giving up the power of metal.
@NTAD
Did nobody in the last five years worth of comments realize they started as a Metallica cover band? All these comparisons... The influence is there but Evile has always sounded like Evile to me.
@FrostE789
Then Metallica did a cover on one of their songs. Kinda neat.