Band:	Evile
Album:	Infected Nations
Style:	Thrash metal
Release date:	September 21, 2009
Guest review by:	K✞ulu

[disc I]
01. Infected Nation
02. Now Demolition
03. Nosophoros
04. Genocide
05. Plague To End All Plagues
06. Devoid Of Thought
07. Time No More
08. Metamorphosis
09. Hundred Wrathful Deities
10. My Parasite [limited edition bonus]

[disc II: bonus]
11. Cemetary Gates [Pantera cover]

[Live in the studio]
12. Infected Nation
13. We Who Are About To Die
14. Thrasher
15. Now Demolition
16. Nosophoros
17. Time No More
18. Bathe In Blood
19. Enter The Grave

[: at the Hammerfest Festival 2009]
20. Armoured Assault
21. Man Against Machine
22. Now Demolition
23. Thrasher
24. Enter The Grave
25. Schizophrenia

[limited edition DVD]

+ The DVD To End All DVDs

I guess most people didn't like Evile's new album. I didn't like it either at the beginning. But after having listened to it a few more time later, I have to admit that my attitude has changed. Originally Infected Nations came across as a boring collection of riffs, but now it seems more coherent and having some sort of a meaning. Before the album's release, the band members were saying that it would be a more mature album than their debut, and in a way it is. With Infected Nations they have definitely made some progress with songwriting; however, they are still searching for their style, and one can hear that they are experimenting and trying something new on this record. And it doesn't sound all that bad if you give it some time.

There is one big problem nevertheless. The vocals. In a way, Matt Drake has a rather suitable voice for thrash, the kind with distinct harshness in it, but the way he uses it is just booooooring. First album's frantic delivery is gone. Instead we have drawling words and nearly robotic delivery. I mean can it be more sterile and emotionless? Seriously, he just doesn't sound convincing, and what can be worse when thrash is not convincing? Besides that, half of the album is down-tempo thrash, which is in a way Evile's thing. But is it a good thing? Not too often on this album. Add occasionally boring sections to that, and I can tell why folks didn't like the album.

But here is the good news. The riffs and especially solos are generally enjoyable throughout the album. "Devoid of Thought" has some smart, groovy riffage in the chorus, "Infected Nation" has an amazing, lightning-fast riff before and after the first verse, which is just pure thrash awesomeness, and the bonus track "My Parasite" (why the heck is it a bonus track?) is just a solid piece of thrash assault. There are many more; just let them sink in. And the main delight of the album? Ol Drake. The dude knows what he is doing and shreds like hell. Just the solos on "Infected Nation," "Nosophoros," "Metamorphosis," and "Hundred Wrathful Deities" leave me with no choice but commend his ability, talent, and growth - a first-class guitar player.

In a nutshell, both musically and more so vocally Infected Nations lacks the kind of zest that makes thrash thrash. However, it seems like this is a transition album, and I feel that the next creation by these UK thrashers is going to blow us away. Evile possess a potential for development and I think we can expect something special from them.