Evildead
Encyclopedia
Evildead is an American
thrash metal
band formed in Los Angeles
in 1987. The band was originally composed of members of two former bands, Agent Steel
and Abattoir, including guitarist Juan Garcia
, who is their only permanent member member. During their initial eight year run, Evildead made two studio albums (Annihilation of Civilization
and The Underworld
), a live recording and an EP. Although their commercial success was limited, their music is still highly regarded amongst metal fans. Evildead had been plagued by extended inactivity due to lineup changes and problems with making a follow-up to The Underworld. This resulted in their official breakup in 1995. However, they announced a reunion 13 years later and are currently working on a new full-length record.
and bassist Mel Sanchez left Agent Steel
and Abattoir; with the intention to write heavy music with more hardcore and thrash metal elements; more so than their previous bands. Evildead paved new ground with their ferocious approach to songwrting, but also followed a Vio-lence
/Sacred Reich
style, with lyrics exploring political and social themes mixed with horror and nuclear war topics. Their band name was inspired from the Sam Raimi
horror film The Evil Dead
.
In 1988, the band signed a recording contract with the European label Steamhammer Records and released RiseAbove (a 3-track EP featuring the songs "Sloe-Death", "Run Again" and the title track which is a cover version of Black Flag
) in the same year. They followed it up with their debut full-length album Annihilation of Civilization
in 1989 to rave reviews. A promotional videoclip was launched for the title track, and it received airplay on MTV
's Headbangers Ball
.
In 1990, the band returned to the studio to record their second album with producer Warren Croyle, The Underworld
, which was released in the following year. The album was not as successful as Annihilation of Civilization. They released a live album taken from the tour, Live...From The Depths Of The Underworld, in 1992, but was their last release due to the grunge
movement that was emerging at that time, which was displacing many forms of 1980s heavy metal
and hard rock
in America.
and would be recorded again for the only Terror album Hijos de los Cometas (1997). However, the album was left unfinished and Evildead soon broke up.
After the split, Karlos Medina, and Juan Garcia
reformed Agent Steel
, but still play together with Evildead members Danny Flores, and Eddie Livingston
in a band called Terror, which has one full-length album; with all songs in Spanish that was released on BMG in Mexico
; which is not out of print. Former drummer Joe Montelongo who recorded on the live release, and was in Evildead for a short stay during their final years also went on to play with MX Machine
.
As of May 2011, according to Blabbermouth.net
, Evildead has been writing new material for their long-awaited third studio album. In addition, they posted a new track called "Blasphemy Divine", which was produced by George Pajon and is available for free download here. The new album will be Evildead's first full-length album since 1991's The Underworld and the first new music from the band since writing and demoing songs for an unreleased album in 1993-1994. It will also be the first Evildead album to feature the return of Albert Gonzalez on guitar, Mel Sánchez on bass and Rob Alaniz on drums since 1989's Annihilation of Civilization. This will also be Steve Nelson's debut album with Evildead.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band formed in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in 1987. The band was originally composed of members of two former bands, Agent Steel
Agent Steel
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1984 by singer John Cyriis ,and drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full length albums, and one EP before disbanding in 1988...
and Abattoir, including guitarist Juan Garcia
Juan Garcia (guitarist)
Juan Garcia is a Cuban-American heavy metal guitarist. He is perhaps best known as the guitarist for the thrash metal bands Agent Steel and Evildead and the power metal/speed metal band Abattoir...
, who is their only permanent member member. During their initial eight year run, Evildead made two studio albums (Annihilation of Civilization
Annihilation of Civilization
Annihilation of Civilization is the debut album from Evildead, a thrash metal band originating from California, United States. It was released on April 3, 1989 on Steamhammer, and was followed up by the EP, Rise Above, released some months later...
and The Underworld
The Underworld (album)
The Underworld is Evildead's second album. It was released on March 4, 1991 on Steamhammer. The album was the band's last studio album before their thirteen year breakup from 1995 to 2008...
), a live recording and an EP. Although their commercial success was limited, their music is still highly regarded amongst metal fans. Evildead had been plagued by extended inactivity due to lineup changes and problems with making a follow-up to The Underworld. This resulted in their official breakup in 1995. However, they announced a reunion 13 years later and are currently working on a new full-length record.
Formation and rise to near fame (1987–1992)
Evildead was formed in 1987, after guitarist Juan GarciaJuan Garcia (guitarist)
Juan Garcia is a Cuban-American heavy metal guitarist. He is perhaps best known as the guitarist for the thrash metal bands Agent Steel and Evildead and the power metal/speed metal band Abattoir...
and bassist Mel Sanchez left Agent Steel
Agent Steel
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1984 by singer John Cyriis ,and drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full length albums, and one EP before disbanding in 1988...
and Abattoir; with the intention to write heavy music with more hardcore and thrash metal elements; more so than their previous bands. Evildead paved new ground with their ferocious approach to songwrting, but also followed a Vio-lence
Vio-lence
Vio-lence was a thrash metal band formed in 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area. They released demo tapes, one EP and 3 LPs between 1985 and 1993. Their most stable line-up was Phil Demmel and Robb Flynn on guitars, Deen Dell on bass, Perry Strickland on drums and Sean Killian on vocals.- 1985 -...
/Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich
Sacred Reich is a Phoenix, Arizona-based thrash metal band that formed in 1985. Singer/songwriter Phil Rind's interest was in socially conscious and political speed metal. After several records on Metal Blade Records, they signed to Hollywood Records for a short stint, but later returned to Metal...
style, with lyrics exploring political and social themes mixed with horror and nuclear war topics. Their band name was inspired from the Sam Raimi
Sam Raimi
Samuel Marshall "Sam" Raimi is an American film director, producer, actor and writer. He is best known for directing cult horror films like the Evil Dead series, Darkman and Drag Me to Hell, as well as the blockbuster Spider-Man films and the producer of the successful TV series Hercules: The...
horror film The Evil Dead
The Evil Dead
The Evil Dead is a 1981 horror film written and directed by Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, and Betsy Baker. The film is a story of five college students vacationing in an isolated cabin in a wooded area...
.
In 1988, the band signed a recording contract with the European label Steamhammer Records and released RiseAbove (a 3-track EP featuring the songs "Sloe-Death", "Run Again" and the title track which is a cover version of Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
) in the same year. They followed it up with their debut full-length album Annihilation of Civilization
Annihilation of Civilization
Annihilation of Civilization is the debut album from Evildead, a thrash metal band originating from California, United States. It was released on April 3, 1989 on Steamhammer, and was followed up by the EP, Rise Above, released some months later...
in 1989 to rave reviews. A promotional videoclip was launched for the title track, and it received airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball
Headbangers Ball is a music television program consisting of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV2, MTV Australia, MTV Two , MTV Adria , MTV Brand New, MTV Portugal, MTV Finland, MTV Arabia, MTV Norway, MTV Sweden, MTV Denmark, MTV Greece, MTV Türkiye, MTV...
.
In 1990, the band returned to the studio to record their second album with producer Warren Croyle, The Underworld
The Underworld (album)
The Underworld is Evildead's second album. It was released on March 4, 1991 on Steamhammer. The album was the band's last studio album before their thirteen year breakup from 1995 to 2008...
, which was released in the following year. The album was not as successful as Annihilation of Civilization. They released a live album taken from the tour, Live...From The Depths Of The Underworld, in 1992, but was their last release due to the grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
movement that was emerging at that time, which was displacing many forms of 1980s heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
in America.
Unreleased third album and breakup (1993–2007)
Following the The Underworld tour, Evildead went on an extended hiatus. The band headed back into the studio in 1993 to begin work on a third album, and wrote several new songs including "Humano", "Immortal" and "Dia de los Muertos", which also appear on the band's 1994 demo tape TerrorTerror (demo)
Terror is an independently-released EP cassette by Evildead. It contains demos that Evildead recorded in 1994 for the album that was intended to follow 1991's The Underworld. However, the new album was unfinished and never released as Evildead decided to call it quits...
and would be recorded again for the only Terror album Hijos de los Cometas (1997). However, the album was left unfinished and Evildead soon broke up.
After the split, Karlos Medina, and Juan Garcia
Juan Garcia
Juan Garcia* Juan Tyrone Garcia, Famous Mexican Marial Artist and actor* Juan M. Garcia, U.S. politician, Texas State Representative* Juan Garcia Abrego drug lord, Gulf Cartel* Juan García Esquivel , Mexican band leader...
reformed Agent Steel
Agent Steel
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1984 by singer John Cyriis ,and drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full length albums, and one EP before disbanding in 1988...
, but still play together with Evildead members Danny Flores, and Eddie Livingston
Eddie Livingston
Eddie Livingston:Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a rock/metal drummer primarily known for His fast and aggressive double kick playing, and syncopated southern approach to Heavy metal, or Thrash metal. Eddie is usually seen playing with the 'butt'end of his drumsticks...
in a band called Terror, which has one full-length album; with all songs in Spanish that was released on BMG in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
; which is not out of print. Former drummer Joe Montelongo who recorded on the live release, and was in Evildead for a short stay during their final years also went on to play with MX Machine
MX Machine
MX Machine is an American thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California. Initially active from 1985 to 1989, the band reformed in 2007 with a renewed line-up.-Biography:...
.
Reunion (2008–present)
In 2008, Evildead announced that they would reunite in the summer of 2009 for shows. They also began rehearsals for the Thrasho De Mayo event that was held in Los Angeles in May, 2010. The band also performed at the "Way of Darkness Festival" in Germany later that year. The current line up features new vocalist, Steve Nelson (Winterthrall, Noctuary), Rob Alaniz (original drummer), Albert Gonzalez (original guitarist), Mel Sanchez (original bassist), and Juan Garcia (original guitarist).As of May 2011, according to Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
, Evildead has been writing new material for their long-awaited third studio album. In addition, they posted a new track called "Blasphemy Divine", which was produced by George Pajon and is available for free download here. The new album will be Evildead's first full-length album since 1991's The Underworld and the first new music from the band since writing and demoing songs for an unreleased album in 1993-1994. It will also be the first Evildead album to feature the return of Albert Gonzalez on guitar, Mel Sánchez on bass and Rob Alaniz on drums since 1989's Annihilation of Civilization. This will also be Steve Nelson's debut album with Evildead.
Current members
- Steve Nelson - Vocals (1993–1995, 2010–present)
- Juan GarciaJuan Garcia (guitarist)Juan Garcia is a Cuban-American heavy metal guitarist. He is perhaps best known as the guitarist for the thrash metal bands Agent Steel and Evildead and the power metal/speed metal band Abattoir...
- Guitars (1987–1995, 2008–present) - Albert Gonzalez - Guitars (1987–1989, 2010–present)
- Mel Sánchez - Bass (1987–1990, 1993–1995, 2008–present)
- Rob Alaniz - Drums (1987–1990, 2008–present)
Former members
- Phil Flores - Vocals (1987–1993)
- Mark Caro - Guitars (1987)
- Dan Roe - Guitars (1989–1990)
- Dan Flores - Guitars (1990–1995)
- Karlos Medina - Bass (1990–1993)
- Doug Clawson - Drums (1990–1991)
- Joe Montelongo - Drums (1991–1993)
- Jon DetteJon DetteJon Dette is the heavy metal drummer of Killing Machine. He has previously played for Apocalypse, Evildead, Testament and Slayer. Dette joined Slayer in 1996, when Paul Bostaph left to work on his side project, The Truth about Seafood in L.A.. Dette attended the 1996 Ozzfest to promote the band's...
- Drums (1993–1994) - Eddie LivingstonEddie LivingstonEddie Livingston:Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a rock/metal drummer primarily known for His fast and aggressive double kick playing, and syncopated southern approach to Heavy metal, or Thrash metal. Eddie is usually seen playing with the 'butt'end of his drumsticks...
- Drums (1994–1995)
Studio albums
- Annihilation of CivilizationAnnihilation of CivilizationAnnihilation of Civilization is the debut album from Evildead, a thrash metal band originating from California, United States. It was released on April 3, 1989 on Steamhammer, and was followed up by the EP, Rise Above, released some months later...
(1989) - The UnderworldThe Underworld (album)The Underworld is Evildead's second album. It was released on March 4, 1991 on Steamhammer. The album was the band's last studio album before their thirteen year breakup from 1995 to 2008...
(1991)
EPs
- Rise Above (1989)
- TerrorTerror (demo)Terror is an independently-released EP cassette by Evildead. It contains demos that Evildead recorded in 1994 for the album that was intended to follow 1991's The Underworld. However, the new album was unfinished and never released as Evildead decided to call it quits...
(1994) (demo tape, also referred to as an EP)