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The British Thrash band Evile is back and better than ever. With the upcoming release of their newest CD Infected Nations the band is taking to the road once again. This time they will be sharing the stage with Amon Amarth and Entombed as they make the trek across Eastern Europe. I recently caught up with bassist Mike Alexander to discuss the new CD, the writing process behind it and the upcoming tour.

 

 

Your brand new CD titled Infected Nations is set for release September. Now that it is complete how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome?

 

“You know what? It is actually ten times better than the first album. The songs are so much more heavier and we put a lot more work into it than we did on the first one and it is pretty cool.”

 

You worked with Russ Russell a very well known well-respected producer. How did you get in touch with him and what was it like working with him?

 

“It was kind of a funny situation we were at an Earache Records party and he was there. He came up to us and he said, ‘Hey I’ve got a lot of ideas for you’ and we were like 'well we are not working with you.’ Then things came about where Flemming couldn’t work with us when we were actually doing the album so we just went to Russ and asked him and we just went from there really.”

 

 

Different groups have unique ways of writing their songs. How do you guys go about writing your music? Is it a collective effort or is it more the efforts of one particular member of the band?

 

“It is a collective effort. Somebody will write a riff and then bring it to the rest of the band and then we will just go through it piece by piece. There is no one particular genius in the band or anything like that.”

 

 

Give us some insight into the record Infected Nations and the meaning behind its title?

 

“The meaning behind it is basically about the people the suck from society and don’t give anything back. You see that all the time. No matter where we have been we see it everywhere. People out there who have no particular interest in trying to better themselves or their particular country. We just tried to make people understand that these people need to be stopped.”

 

Your lyrics are infused with heavy detail and raw emotion. What is it that normally gives you inspiration when writing lyrics and is there a theme or themes behind the writing of this record?

 

“The lyrics are written by anybody in the band. It is more of a personal thing, if you have a particular hatred about something then we just put it forward to the rest of the band and we just go with the flow.”

 

The art work by is quite amazing. How is it tied to the albums title?

 

“The guy that is holding the world represents the evil of the world and everybody you see trying to reach up to it is the good of the world. They can’t reach him and it is showing that the world is struggling and good is dying very very quickly.”

 

How quick are you in the studio? Can you usually knock things out in a couple takes?

 

“No we don’t take that long actually do anything. I mean the bass tracks, I think I did all of them in about two and a half days. I just sort of blasted through them.”

 

All of that passion that you play with must be tough on you physically. How do you prepare for the physical demands of a tour?

 

“There isn’t really any preparation. We just pack our bags, get in the van and go. I think collectively we all prefer to be on the road as opposed to being in the studio or something like that. So when a tour comes up we are just really loving it and we just go straight out there and don’t really think about it.”

 

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

 

“I think being in Switzerland and seeing David Mustaine walk past me wearing a dressing gown.”

 

Are the any songs on this record that are personal favorites for you or that have special meaning behind them?

 

“For me it would have to be Nosophoros because it is all about the racism thing and how kids are brought up to hate people just how their parents hate people and they are not given a chance to actually make a choice on anything. I suppose as a band we are all like Infected Nations because we all encounter so many dead beat people all the time back home.”

 

What is next for you guys?

 

“We will be on tour in Europe again with Amon Amarth and Entombed which is going to be really cool. Then with any luck, we should be in the US doing a tour for a couple of months. Hopefully we will be able to come over here. I do not know whom it will be with but it has been a long time coming. We are really looking forward to coming here if we get the opportunity.”

 

Is the Europe tour selected dates or a comprehensive tour?

 

“It is going to be two months all over Europe. Starting in Germany and going to all over Scandinavia and Eastern Europe and finishing in Italy.”

 

Will you be playing anymore open airs or are they pretty much done?

 

“All the festivals that we have been booked for are done now.”

 

So this tour is pretty much clubs then?

“Yes”