evile five serpent's teeth

Released: 26 September 2011 Label: Earache Records

Beautifully produced, brilliantly executed, and robustly delivered, Evile’s third album Five Serpent’s Teeth is by far their strongest, heaviest, and most sophisticated offering to date.

Offering elements reminiscent of old Testament, Metallica, and Exodus, but possessing a creative and individual crunch all their own, these West Yorkshire, UK thrashers prove once again, that they can definitely hold their own in the thrash metal arena.

Vocalist Matt Drake has really come into his own on this record, and is more stylistically on point now than he ever has been. Also wielding rhythm guitar, alongside his brother Ol on lead, the two pack a blistering “front of the mix” punch that resonates cleanly, distinctly, and prominently with every note distinguishable and well-enunciated. New bassist Joel Graham (replacing the late Mike Alexander who unfortunately passed away in October, 2009) provides a solid, thunderous rhythm section in tandem with drummer Ben Carter. All four musicians work capably together to deliver an exceptionally pleasing, and for lack of a better term - “elegant” metal sound. While such terminology may seem out of place in the metal world - giving Five Serpent’s Teeth few go-‘rounds might convince you that elegance can be found in the most unlikely of places.

The opening/title track hits you square in the brisket at first note, and easily sets the tone for the rest of the record. You already know you’re in for a hell of an auditory journey the moment you hit “play.”

Track #2 In Dreams of Terror pummels you out of the starting gate with a vicious percussive attack from Carter, accompanied by a hearty dose of Ol’s scalding string work. The listener can’t catch a break from the carnage.

Other noteworthy gems are Centurion with its chillingly haunting intro, and socially relevant lyrical content, and Descent Into Madness is a classic, brutal, quintessential thrash number that will leave any headbanger worth his or her leather vest and back patches begging for more.

Long Live the Flesh closes out the album like a weighty boot heel grinding the final nail into the proverbial coffin lid - the album’s swift and blinding “coup de grace” if you will.

Overall, an extraordinarily good record from a relatively fledgling band whose future looks bright, heavy, and very promising indeed. Two horns, and one beer up!

by Aline Dutro