Year: 2021
Total Time: 41:45
Label: Napalm Records

Great Britain may be an important cradle of musical genres across the entire spectrum of music, but if we ask 100 random “metalheads” to name a British Thrash Metal band, indicatively most of them will declare ignorance, then ONSLAUGHT will be mentioned, followed by EVILE. So here we will talk about EVILE’s new album, with the “catchy” title “Hell Unleashed ”, which comes eight years after the release of their last album “Skull”.

In “Hell Unleashed”, we come across many members’ changings, with guitarist and vocalist Matt Drake leaving the band, while his place is taken by his younger brother and fellow guitarist Oliver Drake, responsible for his contribution to the production and layout of the album. Drummer Ben Carter and bassist Joel Graham remain in their positions and also we have the addition of the guitarist Adam Smith. In this record we see the band’s significant turn towards a European approach to Thrash Metal, and its detachment from the corresponding American forms, probably as a result of the aforementioned changes of the band’s members.

The speed is faster, the drumming is also increased a notch, and this is mainly a result of the band’s weaning from METALLICA, which I find as a positive thing. The harshness is present, and has taken the place of the clear production that prevailed in “Skull”, and the “scratches” of the guitar approach DESTRUCTION, keeping “Hell Unleashed” at a high level. Of course, the thrash stereotypes are present here too, with the cover of MORTICIAN’s “Zombie Apocalypse” and the reference to Carpenter with 1982’s “Thing”, reinforcing the humorous attitude that governs a non-serious Thrash album.

Special mention should be made to the production of “Hell Unleashed”, harsh as it should be, solid to the right degree, without unnecessary fillings, multiple guitar layers, clear clarity and the required volume to be present. My only concern is the fact that although “Hell Unleashed” is well-crafted, powerful, carefully prepared with emphasis on details, something seems to be missing from the band to be able to stand in the Champion League of Thrash Metal. Probably what they lack is the consistency, and their anchorage to the sound of SLAYER-METALLICA, and “Hell Unleashed” seems to want to shake off this “mark”. Of course, in a year like 2021, where Thrash Metal releases were few (EXODUS, ARTILLERY came quickly to mind), EVILE are serious candidates for a high placement in the top positions. Time will tell…

Rating: 7/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: EVILE – Official Page