British thrash metal stalwarts Evile have been going full speed for years. But as you can hear in the first single and title track from The Unknown, a new album coming out on July 14 via Napalm Records, they’re taking a different approach to new music.
Rather than melting your face off with blistering fast riffs and pure thrash mania, “The Unknown” is a slower burn. Featuring the kind of riff that’s easy to break your neck on headbanging, the track is pure heavy metal. It’s heavy as hell, with frontman OL Drake explaining that the new album will take a more introspective look at things.
“We’re really excited to start revealing the next page in the EVILE chapter. We’ve taken a completely different approach on this album and I looked inward for inspiration; I’ve opened myself up like I never thought I would. We’ve always been at 500 mph, like on the previous album (Hell Unleashed) and this time around we felt we wanted to try the polar opposite – some slower-than-we’ve-ever-done tempos with more melodic vocal hooks, and give Adam some freedom on the leads/writing. I’ve been working on my vocals since diving in the deep end in 2021, and we’ve worked hard for two years on this, so I’m excited for everyone to hear the fruits of our labour. We’re really proud of what we’ve all accomplished with this album. This is the one I hope can catapult us to more ears and places we haven’t been before to play for people who are constantly asking us to play in their area.”
According to the band, The Unknown will take a much more personal look at some pretty heavy themes, including “depression, overcoming loss and recurring nightmares, self-esteem and image, to more personal themes like living with dementia, struggling through the music industry and even the concerns of becoming a new parent.”
OL Drake said the title track in particular has been kicking around for a while now, having originally come up with its bones back when he was no longer in the band.
“First up is the title track, ‘The Unknown’. I wrote the basic lyrical content and concept back in 2017 when I was out of the band. The song deals with my fears and anxieties of becoming a father for the first time and all the doubts and worries that come with the responsibilities it brings.”
All of that isn’t to say they won’t turn up the speed every once in a while. It’s just that sometimes you gotta slow things down to really feel the weight of the song’s subject matter.
The Unknown will be out on July 14 via Napalm Records, but you can preorder your copy today.