Evildead
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Evildead is an American
thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, ...
band formed in Los Angeles in 1986. The band was originally composed of members of two former bands,
Agent Steel Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1984 by vocalist John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for Cyriis' ...
and
Abattoir In livestock agriculture and the meat industry, a slaughterhouse, also called an abattoir (), is a facility where livestock animals are slaughtered to provide food. Slaughterhouses supply meat, which then becomes the responsibility of a meat ...
, including guitarist Juan Garcia, who is their only remaining original member. During their initial nine-year run, Evildead released two studio albums: '' Annihilation of Civilization'' (1989) and '' The Underworld'' (1991). Evildead suffered from extended inactivity due to lineup changes and problems with making a third album, which resulted in their breakup in 1995. After a reunion from 2008 to 2012, the band reformed once again in 2016, and have since released two more studio albums: '' United $tate$ of Anarchy'' (2020) and '' Toxic Grace'' (2024).


History


Formation and first two albums (1986–1992)

Evildead was formed in 1986, initially as a side-project of
Agent Steel Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1984 by vocalist John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for Cyriis' ...
guitarist Juan Garcia and
Abattoir In livestock agriculture and the meat industry, a slaughterhouse, also called an abattoir (), is a facility where livestock animals are slaughtered to provide food. Slaughterhouses supply meat, which then becomes the responsibility of a meat ...
bassist Mel Sanchez, with the intention to write heavy music with more hardcore and thrash metal elements, more so than their bands at the time. Evildead paved new ground with their ferocious approach to songwriting, but also followed a style similar to that of their peers (including
Testament A testament is a document that the author has sworn to be true. In law it usually means last will and testament. Testament or The Testament can also refer to: Books * ''Testament'' (comic book), a 2005 comic book * ''Testament'', a thriller no ...
,
Vio-lence Vio-lence is an American thrash metal band formed in 1985 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Throughout its career, they have released demo tapes, three EPs and three studio albums. Vio-lence is best-known for their association with the 1980s Bay ...
, Dark Angel and
Sacred Reich Sacred Reich is an American thrash metal band from Phoenix, Arizona, formed in 1985. Since 2019, the band's lineup has consisted of vocalist-bassist Phil Rind, lead guitarist Wiley Arnett, rhythm guitarist Joey Radziwill, and drummer Dave McClai ...
), with lyrics exploring political and social themes mixed with humor, and horror and nuclear war topics. Their band name was inspired by the
Sam Raimi Samuel M. Raimi ( ; born October 23, 1959) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for directing the first three films in the ''Evil Dead'' franchise (1981–present) and the ''Spider-Man'' trilogy (2002–2007). He also directed the super ...
horror film ''
The Evil Dead ''The Evil Dead'' is a 1981 American independent film, independent supernatural horror film written and directed by Sam Raimi (in his feature directorial debut). The film stars Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker ...
''. In 1988, the band signed a recording contract with the European label
Steamhammer Records SPV GmbH (short for ''Schallplatten Produktion und Vertrieb GmbH'', "Vinyl Production and Distribution Company") is a German independent record label. Founded on 1 January 1984, it has slowly grown to be one of the largest independent distributors ...
and released ''Rise Above'' (a three-track EP featuring the songs "Sloe-Death", "Run Again" and the title track which is a cover version of the Black Flag song) in the following year. They followed it up with their debut full-length album '' Annihilation of Civilization'' (released in 1989) to rave reviews. A music video was released for the title track, and it received airplay on
MTV MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
's ''
Headbangers Ball ''Headbangers Ball'' is a music television program that consists of heavy metal music videos airing on MTV and its global affiliates. The show began on MTV on April 18, 1987, playing heavy metal music videos from both well-known and more obsc ...
''. In the winter of 1991, the band returned to the studio to record their second album with producer Warren Croyle, '' The Underworld'', which was released in June of that 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 (sometimes referred to as the Seattle sound) is an alternative rock Music genre, genre and subculture that emerged during the in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington, particularly in Seattle and Music of Olympia, Washington, O ...
movement that was emerging at that time, which was displacing many forms of 1980s heavy metal and
hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a heavier subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and Distortion (music), distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the Garage rock, garage, Psychedelic rock, psychedelic and blues ...
in North America.


Cancelled third album and breakup (1993–2007)

Following ''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 ''Terror'' 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 Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1984 by vocalist John Cyriis with drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for Cyriis' ...
, but still played together with ex-Evildead member Danny Flores, and Rigo Amezcua 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, although in the band for a short time, played on the European tour and is on the live release. He went on to play with MX Machine and East Los Angeles-based punk band The Brat.


First reunion (2008–2012)

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 line up at the time featured new vocalist, Steve Nelson (Winterthrall, Noctuary), Rob Alaniz (original drummer), Albert Gonzalez (original guitarist), Mel Sanchez (original bassist), and Juan Garcia (original guitarist). By May 2011, Evildead had been writing new material for their what would be their 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. The new album would have been Evildead's first 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 would also have been 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'' as well as Steve Nelson's debut album with the band. Despite their plans to record a new studio album, it was announced on October 17, 2012 that Evildead had disbanded once again.


Second reunion (2016–present)

Evildead reunited once again for a one-off show on March 12, 2016 at the Love/Hate Rock Bar in Los Angeles, in celebration of the 50th birthday of drummer Rob Alaniz. In June 2016, Evildead confirmed that they had permanently reunited, with plans to record new material and play some shows in 2017. By August 2017, Evildead had been in the studio finishing four tracks for then-upcoming third album, which was being produced by Bill Metoyer. On September 23, 2017, the band premiered their first song in 26 years, "Word of God", on Los Anarchy Radio. Six days later, the band played their first show since reuniting the year before at the Union Club in Los Angeles. On February 11, 2018, Evildead announced on their website that their third album was "coming soon." The album, titled '' United $tate$ of Anarchy'', was released on October 30, 2020. In January 2023, Evildead announced on their Facebook page that they had been "grinding away writing new material" for their fourth studio album, and had begun pre-production on it by the following month. The then-upcoming album's lead single "Bathe in Fire" was released on July 28, 2023 via streaming services. On March 13, 2024, the album's second single "Raising Fresh Hell" was released, and the band announced their fourth album, '' Toxic Grace'', which was released on May 24.


Band members


Current lineup

* Juan Garcia – guitars (1986–1995, 2008–2012, 2016–present) *Phil Flores – lead vocals (1986–1993, 2016–present) *Rob Alaniz – drums (1986–1990, 2008–2012, 2016–present) *Albert Gonzalez – guitars (1987–1989, 2010–2012, 2016–present) *Karlos Medina – bass (1990–1993, 2016–present)


Former members

*Mel Sánchez – bass (1986–1990, 1993–1995, 2008–2012) *Mark Caro – guitars (1986–1987, 2008–2009) *Doug Clawson – drums (1990–1991) *Dan Flores – guitars (1990–1995) *Joe Montelongo – drums (1991–1993) * Jon Dette – drums (1993–1994) *Steve Nelson – lead vocals (1993–1995, 2010–2012) *Eddie Livingston – drums (1994–1995; died 2018) *Chris Maleki – lead vocals (2008–2009)


Timeline


Discography


Studio albums

*'' Annihilation of Civilization'' (1989) *'' The Underworld'' (1991) *'' United $tate$ of Anarchy'' (2020) *'' Toxic Grace'' (2024)


Live albums

*''Live... From the Depths of the Underworld'' (1992)


EPs

*''Rise Above'' (1989)


Demos

*''Terror'' (1994)


References

{{Authority control Thrash metal musical groups from California Musical groups from Los Angeles Musical groups established in 1986 Musical groups disestablished in 1995 Musical groups reestablished in 2008 Musical groups disestablished in 2012 Musical groups reestablished in 2016