Evile (GB)

About

Also known as: Metal Militia

Evile carried the thrash metal revival almost single handedly, at least according to Kerrang!, which put them on the hook for "carrying the genre's whole 'revival' on their shoulders." The Huddersfield four piece formed in 2004, built a reputation tearing through UK and European club circuits, and landed a deal with Earache Records after label boss Digby Pearson caught their set at Bloodstock Open Air. Their 2007 debut, Enter the Grave, was recorded in Copenhagen with legendary Metallica producer Flemming Rasmussen and cracked the UK rock charts at number 33, pulling in top marks from Terrorizer and Metal Revolution. They have since put out five more studio albums, the most recent being The Unknown in 2023, cementing a run that includes Five Serpent's Teeth and Hell Unleashed. Along the way they supported Megadeth on their European Tour of Duty, joined Exodus on stage for backing vocals on "The Toxic Waltz", and even got a track onto the Rock Band video game. Drummer Ben Carter is the one constant through various lineup shifts, with lead guitarist and vocalist Ol Drake now steering the ship.