Evile Family Tree

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This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Evile were one of the biggest bands of the new wave of thrash movement began. Although they slowed down with releases while some of their peers keep going, they had big presence early on. Writing credit is not noted on most albums so I will treat all members appearing on albums equally. The core line up for their first for albums being mostly steady. On Guitar/Vocals was Matt Dake, lead guitar, Ol Drake, Drums Ben Carter, and bass for the first two albums Mike Alexander. Mike died on tour for their second album and Joel Graham stepped into his role. Their 2021 release will have Ol on vocals and Adam Smith will be taking over the rhythm role of Matt.

The Beatles were at the fore front of rock music in the 60’s. Matt named Rubber Soul as a favorite album.

The Beatles were at the fore front of rock music in the 60’s. Matt named Rubber Soul as a favorite album.

Jimi Hendrix was a revolutionary guitarist. Matt and Ol grew up with Hendrix through their dad. Ol said he is a big fan.

Jimi Hendrix was a revolutionary guitarist. Matt and Ol grew up with Hendrix through their dad. Ol said he is a big fan.

Pink Floyd are one of the most iconic progressive rock bands. Matt named Wish You Were Here as a favorite album.

Pink Floyd are one of the most iconic progressive rock bands. Matt named Wish You Were Here as a favorite album.

Jeff Beck is considered one of the best guitarist out of the 60’s. After his time with the Yardbirds, he mostly did instrumental rock. Ben named drummer Richard Bailey from the album Blow by Blow album as a big influence.

Jeff Beck is considered one of the best guitarist out of the 60’s. After his time with the Yardbirds, he mostly did instrumental rock. Ben named drummer Richard Bailey from the album Blow by Blow album as a big influence.

CCR played what was dubbed roots rock, and had many well known songs. Matt named Green River as a favorite album.

CCR played what was dubbed roots rock, and had many well known songs. Matt named Green River as a favorite album.

Led Zeppelin are among the first of hard rock and hugely influential. Matt and Ol grew up here Zeppelin through their dad. Ol said he is a big fan.

Led Zeppelin are among the first of hard rock and hugely influential. Matt and Ol grew up here Zeppelin through their dad. Ol said he is a big fan.

Wishbone Ash were a progressive rock band known for their guitar harmonies. Matt said they was a band he got into as a kid through his dad and named Argus as a favorite album.

Wishbone Ash were a progressive rock band known for their guitar harmonies. Matt said they was a band he got into as a kid through his dad and named Argus as a favorite album.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. Ol is fan of Tony.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. Ol is fan of Tony.

Queen are a huge band that need no introduction. Joel named them as the band that first got him into music as a kid. Matt said Queen was one of the bands he got into through his dad as a kid and named Brian May as one of his guitar heroes.

Queen are a huge band that need no introduction. Joel named them as the band that first got him into music as a kid. Matt said Queen was one of the bands he got into through his dad as a kid and named Brian May as one of his guitar heroes.

Camel were a British progressive rock band. Ol named them and guitarist Andrew Latimer as a favorite.

Camel were a British progressive rock band. Ol named them and guitarist Andrew Latimer as a favorite.

AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. Matt named Highway to Hell as a favorite album and them as a favorite band.

AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. Matt named Highway to Hell as a favorite album and them as a favorite band.

Dokken were a rock/metal/glam band with influential members. Ben is a big fan.

Dokken were a rock/metal/glam band with influential members. Ben is a big fan.

Jeff Wayne

Jeff Wayne was a progressive Rock composer. Ben named his Musical Version of The War of the Worlds as one of his favorite albums.

Jeff Wayne was a progressive Rock composer. Ben named his Musical Version of The War of the Worlds as one of his favorite albums.

Iron Maiden are among the most influential metal bands. Joel named them as an influence.

Iron Maiden are among the most influential metal bands. Joel named them as an influence.

Steve Vai is considered one of the best guitarist by many. Ol said he is an influence but not as much as his thrash influences like Metallica.

Steve Vai is considered one of the best guitarist by many. Ol said he is an influence but not as much as his thrash influences like Metallica.

Metallica are the fathers of thrash. Matt named Metallica as a big influence and favorite band. Ben names Lars as a favorite and said hearing One was a hug influence on him. Ol named Metallica and Kirk as an influence and particularly Ride the L…

Metallica are the fathers of thrash. Matt named Metallica as a big influence and favorite band. Ben names Lars as a favorite and said hearing One was a hug influence on him. Ol named Metallica and Kirk as an influence and particularly Ride the Lightning and named them as a favorite.

Anthrax are one of the big four of thrash. Ben named them as an influence and named them as one of the best live bands. Ben and Joel both named Spreading the Disease as a favorite album. Joel said they are his favorite of the big four.

Anthrax are one of the big four of thrash. Ben named them as an influence and named them as one of the best live bands. Ben and Joel both named Spreading the Disease as a favorite album. Joel said they are his favorite of the big four.

Sodom were first wave black metal and then one of the big German Thrash bands. Ol found himself asking “What Would Sodom Do” when lookin for slower riffs while writing.

Sodom were first wave black metal and then one of the big German Thrash bands. Ol found himself asking “What Would Sodom Do” when lookin for slower riffs while writing.

Exodus are among the earliest thrashers. Ol named them as a huge influence on them.

Exodus are among the earliest thrashers. Ol named them as a huge influence on them.

Slayer were among the most aggressive thrash bands early on. Matt named them as an influence. Joel named Reign in Blood as a favorite album.

Slayer were among the most aggressive thrash bands early on. Matt named them as an influence. Joel named Reign in Blood as a favorite album.

Overkill are east coast thrash masters. Matt said that they were one of Mike’s top five bands.

Overkill are east coast thrash masters. Matt said that they were one of Mike’s top five bands.

R.E.M. are a folky alternative rock band. Matt named Out of Time as a favorite album.

R.E.M. are a folky alternative rock band. Matt named Out of Time as a favorite album.

Destruction are one of the big thrash bands of Germany. Ol named them as an influence and praised them being one of the purist thrash bands.

Destruction are one of the big thrash bands of Germany. Ol named them as an influence and praised them being one of the purist thrash bands.

Trouble were an important Doom metal band. Joel named their self titled album as a favorite.

Trouble were an important Doom metal band. Joel named their self titled album as a favorite.

Megadeth are the band of one of the most important thrash players Dave Mustaine. Ol named Marty Friedman as an influence.

Megadeth are the band of one of the most important thrash players Dave Mustaine. Ol named Marty Friedman as an influence.

Obituary are a death metal classic. Ol named them as an influence and one of his favorite Death Metal bands.

Obituary are a death metal classic. Ol named them as an influence and one of his favorite Death Metal bands.

Sepulture the the demo days were pioneering death metal before going to their more well known death/thrash sound. Ol named them a big influence and one of his favorite bands. Matt also named them as an influence.

Sepulture the the demo days were pioneering death metal before going to their more well known death/thrash sound. Ol named them a big influence and one of his favorite bands. Matt also named them as an influence.

Faith No More were a pioneering alternative rock band. Joel named The Real Thing as a favorite album.

Faith No More were a pioneering alternative rock band. Joel named The Real Thing as a favorite album.

Testament are thrash legends. Ol named Testament as one of their main influences. Ol and Matt both name Alex as a favorite guitarist.

Testament are thrash legends. Ol named Testament as one of their main influences. Ol and Matt both name Alex as a favorite guitarist.

Annihilator are a Canadian Thrash/Speed Metal classic. Ben named Criteria For a Black Widow and drummer Ray Hartmann as a huge influence on him. Ol named Jeff Waters as a huge influence on him, probably his biggest.

Annihilator are a Canadian Thrash/Speed Metal classic. Ben named Criteria For a Black Widow and drummer Ray Hartmann as a huge influence on him. Ol named Jeff Waters as a huge influence on him, probably his biggest.

Mr. Bungle are an experimental alt rock/metal/thrash band. Joel is a big fan.

Mr. Bungle are an experimental alt rock/metal/thrash band. Joel is a big fan.

Joe Satriani is know of his instrumental rock and is a virtuoso. Ol named him as an influence but not as much so as his thrash influences like Metallica.

Joe Satriani is know of his instrumental rock and is a virtuoso. Ol named him as an influence but not as much so as his thrash influences like Metallica.

Soundgarden are important grunge pioneers. Matt is a fan and named Superunknown as a favorite album.

Soundgarden are important grunge pioneers. Matt is a fan and named Superunknown as a favorite album.

Guns n’ Roses were playing hard rock when metal was dominating and compared to any of the glam bands of the time they had a much harder edge. Ol and Matt both named Slash as a favorite guitarist.

Guns n’ Roses were playing hard rock when metal was dominating and compared to any of the glam bands of the time they had a much harder edge. Ol and Matt both named Slash as a favorite guitarist.

Carcass started as grind core and moved in to death and melodic death. Ben named Ken as a big influence and particularly on Heartwork.

Carcass started as grind core and moved in to death and melodic death. Ben named Ken as a big influence and particularly on Heartwork.

King’s X are a progressive metal band. Joel is a big fan.

King’s X are a progressive metal band. Joel is a big fan.

Paradise Lost are Death/Doom, and Goth Pioneers. Matt is a fan.

Paradise Lost are Death/Doom, and Goth Pioneers. Matt is a fan.

Extreme were a funky glam rock/metal band. Joel says he loves them and doesn’t care if you make fun of him.

Extreme were a funky glam rock/metal band. Joel says he loves them and doesn’t care if you make fun of him.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the most well known death metal bands. Ol named them as a big influence and the reason he plays in E#.

Cannibal Corpse are one of the most well known death metal bands. Ol named them as a big influence and the reason he plays in E#.

Pantera are the Fathers of thrash. Ben named Vinnie as a big influence and particularly Cowboys From Hell. Matt named Cowboys as a favorite album. Matt said that Rex was one of Mike’s favorite bassists.

Pantera are the Fathers of thrash. Ben named Vinnie as a big influence and particularly Cowboys From Hell. Matt named Cowboys as a favorite album. Matt said that Rex was one of Mike’s favorite bassists.

Mind Funk are a grunge / alternative/funk metal band. Joel is a big fan.

Mind Funk are a grunge / alternative/funk metal band. Joel is a big fan.

Machine Head are a groove metal band formed by former thrasher of Vio-lence. Ben named Chris from their first album as a big influence.

Machine Head are a groove metal band formed by former thrasher of Vio-lence. Ben named Chris from their first album as a big influence.

Luca Turilli formally of Symphonic Power metallers, Rhapsody (Rhapsody of Fire later) released solo albums while still in Rhapsody. Ben said his King of the Nordic Twilight album was one that he learned double bass playing to.

Luca Turilli formally of Symphonic Power metallers, Rhapsody (Rhapsody of Fire later) released solo albums while still in Rhapsody. Ben said his King of the Nordic Twilight album was one that he learned double bass playing to.

Dionysus was a Swedish power metal band. They shared a vocalist with Lucca Turilli whom Ben is a huge fan of. This is another band that he learned double bass playing along to.

Dionysus was a Swedish power metal band. They shared a vocalist with Lucca Turilli whom Ben is a huge fan of. This is another band that he learned double bass playing along to.

The Darkness was a band bringing back classic hard rock and making it fresh starting in the 2000’s. Ben named their first album as on of his favorites.

The Darkness was a band bringing back classic hard rock and making it fresh starting in the 2000’s. Ben named their first album as on of his favorites.

 

Adam is the newest member of the band Hell Unleashed will be his first album with the band. His influences include Lost Society, Alien Weaponry, Megadeth, Machine Head, Tyler Bryant & the Shake Down, Body Count, Slipknot, Corbot, Havok, and Exodus.

Ol said he listens to Miles Davis when he needs a break from metal. He said he got into some progressive rock like King Chrismon and Yes because of Alex Skolnick. For new stuff Ol said he is a big fan of Sylosis’s Dorment Heart.

Ol was a drummer before playing guitar.

Matt and Ol are brothers and grew up with the same music that their dad (was was also a guitarist) listened to.)

Matt said he got into music through his dad with older bands like Queen, Wishbone Ash, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin. He got into metal from Ben having him listen to Master of Puppets. After that he got into Slayer and Sepultura. When he was asked about non thrash music that he likes he named “Creedence Clearwater to Nick Cave, Neil Young, Cypress Hill, Film scores, Genesis, Entombed, Blondie, Soundgarden, Michael Jackson.” He said he doesn’t like any modern bands besides a few like Opeth. He also names James Hetfield, Tom Araya, Warrel Dane, and Freddie Mercury as a favorite vocalists. As favorite guitarists he named James Hetfield, Slash, Brian May, and Alex Skolnick.

Mike Alexander died on tour in 2009. There are few interviews with him. Besides the influences of his mentioned by Matt I’m not sure of his influences. Some sources name some of the same bands other members have named, but I have not verified them. In an interview with Ol, he said that if it wasn’t thrash Mike didn’t like it.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3E5RQd8n18&t=5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERW8ka-bakc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JblfH3XcxeQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibYBPF5ydFk
http://www.radiometal.com/article/matt-drake-kill-fuck-marry,1544
http://sailawaytomorrow.blogspot.com/2016/02/interview-matt-drake-from-evile.html
http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/musicians/matt_drake_evile.htm
https://metalinjection.net/interviews/evile-release-album-earache-records
https://web.archive.org/web/20080306090834/http://www.evile.co.uk/matt.html
https://www.loudersound.com/features/my-essential-playlist-ol-drake
https://archive.blabbermouth.net/news/evile-guitarist-ol-drake-discusses-influences-plays-favorite-solos/
https://loudwire.com/evile-ol-drake-plays-favorite-guitar-riffs/
http://themetalist.net/an-interview-with-ol-drake-ol-drake-ex-evile/
https://www.metal-rules.com/2006/11/24/evile-lead-guitarist-ol-drake/
https://katylovesrock.wordpress.com/interviews/interview-ol-ben-evile-24th-august-2011/