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Evile - Five Serpent's Teeth review




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Reviewer:
8.5

163 users:
7.9
Band: Evile
Album: Five Serpent's Teeth
Release date: September 2011


01. Five Serpent's Teeth
02. In Dreams Of Terror
03. Cult
04. Eternal Empire
05. Xaraya
06. Origin Of Oblivion
07. Centurion
08. In Memoriam
09. Descent Into Madness
10. Long Live New Flesh

I remember getting this album on release day; I was hooked immediately and thought this would be the album that shot Evile into the higher leagues and make their name known. Alas, it wasn't to be, and they've long become a semi-active band.

This album, however, is still as strong as it was when I first heard it: varied song structures, strong riffs and catchy, with plenty of headbanging moments littered throughout. "In Dreams Of Terror" has one hell of a riff that will hurt your neck if you try to keep up. This is repeated in "Origin Of Oblivion", and while it doesn't offer much in variety, it offers up one hell of a sonic punch.

That said, that isn't the only trick in the bag on here. "Cult" offers up a mid-paced groove that you can't help but bounce along to, while "In Memoriam" offers a sobering tribute to Mike Alexander, who passed away on tour in support of Infected Nations. These tracks work well in changing the feel of the album without taking you out of the moment.

It does dip in quality, with songs like "Eternal Empire" and "Xaraya" being weak links in an another wise strong chain. Neither song really adds to the album, with "Eternal Empire" unable to pull off the brooding moments without sounding dreary before seguing into average fast moments.

The production is near perfect for the record; while the guitars are clear, they retain an edge to them that adds to the overall heaviness of the riffs. The bass, however, is hidden behind the guitars and only sticks out on occasion. Does it detract from the songs? No, but it would have given some of the songs that extra kick they needed, especially in broodier moments like in "Eternal Empire".

An overlooked gem from the late British thrash resurgence, Evile proved that they were more than just the band that did "Enter The Grave". It's a shame the momentum from this was killed stone dead on the next album; this album merely serves as a reminder of what could have been.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 9
Songwriting: 8
Originality: 7
Production: 9

Written by omne metallum | 07.04.2020




Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.

Staff review by
wormdrink414
Rating:
6.0
2011 has been pretty decent to this whole thrash revival thing. Havok's album has been mashing the fuck out of my neck for a while now, as has Diamond Plate's, SSS's, and especially Toxic Holocaust's. Now Evile, easily one of the more popular bands of the thrash resurgence, has claimed its slice of this shit-wrecking year with Five Serpent's Teeth. Thing is, compared to those from the bands mentioned above, said slice seems really, really, really measly.

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published 26.09.2011 | Comments (18)



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