Interview: EvilDead
As a fan of thrash, death and classic speed metal, we get to play it all with some added old school EvilDead flare.
Thrash masters EvilDead return with their first album in four years in Toxic Grace and it sees the L.A. band in fine thrashing form on an album that sees them build on their comeback album 2020s United States Of Anarchy with an undisputed display of both ferocity and melody, all delivered with the energy that EvilDead have always had. Gavin Brown caught up with EvilDead guitarist Juan Garcia and bassist Karlos Medina to talk about all things EvilDead and Toxic Grace as well as discussing other subjects including their favourite Evil Dead movies and Juan’s time in his other band Body Count.
E&D: The new EvilDead album Toxic Grace is out soon. How excited are you to be unleashing it on the world and was its creation a smooth process?
Juan: I’ve been a bit busy for the last year working on the new EvilDead album, and I’m super stoked to finally see that it has a release date of May 24th, and a few singles now available. There will be two separate vinyl versions for Toxic Grace (one limited coloured vinyl) through our record company SPV Steamhammer. Everything was moving very smooth at the beginning of the recording sessions, and then it got a bit complicated because we switched producers half way through the process, and after that we also took a break from recording to do the European tour last summer. Once we returned from Europe we went back into the studio with fresh ears, and got busy again and finally finished the recording. I’m very happy with the result.
Karlos: Smooth like creamy butter. Naturally after so many years of studio experience, it just flowed effortlessly. I got into bass mode recording and let if flow. I really just grooved through all the tracks.
E&D: What has been the biggest influence on the sound and lyrics of Toxic Grace?
Juan: I think we influence each other individually a bit in this group; whether we realise it or not. We tend to inspire each other to bring forth our best efforts to the new songs. Our past experiences also play a hand in the progression of the music. Originally we were influenced by NWOBHM but since then we’ve found our path. Speaking for myself, I just wanted to create the best EvilDead record possible. Lyrically speaking I think Phil is very aware of the things going on in the world. One of the songs and working concept to the new album is based around social media addiction. Our new single ‘Subjugated Souls’ is about the subject.
E&D: Was the title of the song ‘Raising Fresh Hell’ from the album a statement of intent for where EvilDead are at right now?
Juan: I think ‘Raising Fresh Hell’ is a fun heavy anthem-like song and I can’t wait to start performing it live in the near future. We just booked a live show for 16-August here in Los Angeles, and I feel strongly that the song will be included in the set list.
E&D: The album mixes up a lot of different sounds from thrash and doom to more melodic material, did you want to show all different facets of the music of EvilDead?
Karlos: I believe so. As a fan of thrash, death and classic speed metal, we get to play it all with some added old school EvilDead flare.
Juan: We didn’t make a conscious effort on musical direction. I think our original game plan was just to write songs, pieces of music and ideas we like; we didn’t set any boundaries; a majority of the riffs were brought forth by Albert Gonzales. Then Rob our drummer, and I would get together hash out his ideas in a small rehearsal room. I would add some of my ideas and make suggestions, and Rob was instrumental with the drum beats, and participating in the arrangement process. We would also get together will Phil our vocalist, and Karlos the bassist and would tweak the material a bit more and refine the songs before going into the recording studio. Phil wrote 99 percent of this lyrics on this album. He definitely stepped with the words and concept on this new record; which was appreciated because it allowed me the time to really focus on the music.
E&D: Can you tell us about covering Killing Joke’s ‘The Death And Resurrection Show’ on the album?
Karlos: We have been talking about doing more punk cover songs and even contemplating a punk tribute release in the past as it’s been part of some of our root influences. Back in the late 80’s, before playing thrash metal, I tried out for a couple punk bands in Los Angeles, like the infamous Wasted Youth. The Killing Joke song cover worked out well and it was fun to record.
Juan: We were in Phil’s garage working on material, and I suggested we should include a bonus track for the vinyl version; at first we were thinking perhaps a Motörhead, or Black Flag cover song, but Rob our drummer suggested Killing Joke and we listened to it, and immediately gravitated towards the song and start working on it immediately. It made sense for us to cover it; we added our own twist and turns to the track, and even added a guitar solo at the end. Me and Rob really are Killing Joke fans, and it turned out to be our tribute to Kevin “Geordie“ Walker who recently passed away, Rest In Peace.
E&D: How did it feel for EvilDead to return with the United States Of Anarchy album in 2020, having not released an album since The Underworld in 1991?
Karlos: I feel it was past due. I noticed years ago whenever I toured with Agent Steel, fans would show up to our shows wearing EvilDead t-shirts. Many metal fans would ask if there would ever be an EvilDead reunion, so it’s nice to finally expand the EvilDead discography.
Juan: It felt pretty damn good, a good portion of that material were songs from the past like ‘Greenhouse’ that we never recorded back in the day. Albert and Rob had some demos versions of songs like ‘No Difference’ and ‘Without A Cause’which we re-recorded with Bill Metoyer Producing. I think it’s a very solid thrash metal album, and the cover artwork by Ed Repka kicks ass! My favourite songs off the Anarchy album include ‘Word of God’ and ‘Napoleon Complex’ songs which we perform live at most of our concerts.
E&D: What were some of the highlights of the early days of EvilDead?
Juan: Highlights? I think the recording sessions of our debut album Annihilation of Civilization at Music Grinder Studios was a major highlight for us; we got to work at a top notch studio and it opened our eyes to the possibilities ahead; a very uplifting experience. Also our fist show at Fenders Ballroom in 1987 with Possessed, Dark Angel and Cryptic Slaughter was also another big highlight.
Karlos: I can name many, but one highlight I will always hold dear is the European tour of EvilDead and Laaz Rockit in 1992. We created a merge group made up of members of both bands, and wrote a few original songs which we performed live as an opening act to ourselves on that tour. We went under the name Satan’s Load featuring songs like ‘Human Schwarma’ and ‘Grandma Soup’ these were heavy songs that were obviously a bit cynical). Maybe someday I can revisit these songs, and record them for bonus tracks at some point.
E&D: Are you looking forward to your record release show with Whiplash in August and how do you feel that the material from Toxic Grace will fit into your live set?
Karlos: These songs were meant to be played live and loud. I hope to mix them into our regular EvilDead tracks setlist. Eventually played live at some more festivals in other continents of the world.
Juan: Personally I cannot wait for that show! Of course we will include songs from the Annihilation of Civilization album, and a few songs from The Underworld but my goal is also to include 3 or 4 tracks from Toxic Grace. I’d like to include ‘Raising Fresh Hell’, ‘F.A.F.O.’, ‘Reverie’ and ‘Fear Porn’ into the live-set all those songs are bangers!!!
E&D: Have you got any other shows planned as yet and will you be making it overseas this year at all?
Juan: We are discussing a big show that will happen in October up in the San Francisco area with Sodom that we’re looking forward to the announcement soon. As far as going overseas to Europe, or any other continent; I think we will wait until 2025 Let’s wait for the new album to circulate. I’d like to film and release a few music videos in the meantime.
E&D: What have been some of the most memorable shows that EvilDead have ever played?
Karlos: Recently, Wacken Open Air (Germany), Alcatraz Festival (Belgium), and our last show in Poznan, Poland as well. The three EvilDead supporting Dark Angel shows at the Teragram Ballroom in 2023 were amazingly memorable as it was a tribute to our fallen brother, guitarist Jim Durkin.
Juan: Yeah like Karlos mentioned, Wacken Open Air 2023 was amazing for us we had full use of pyrotechnics for that show. Also the Alcatraz Festival in Belgium was an intense live show! We really enjoyed our recent European tour in 2023, Brutal Assault In Czech Republic was magical as well. Performing with Dark Angel is always special as they are good friends and a great band.
E&D: What is your favourite film in the Evil Dead series and why?
Karlos: Army of Darkness. I believe the humour and the medieval elements oft he story were fantastic. Plus we actually wrote a song for the soundtrack before the movie studio scrapped it or passed on the song; as the film was picked up by a major studio and they wanted the music to go in a different direction. I was bummed but we still kept the song, ‘Darkness’ and you can still find it on Live… from the Depths of The Underworld EvilDead EP, it was a bonus track live in the studio we recorded.
Juan: The original Evil Dead movie from 1981 was mind blowing! Written and directed by Sam Raimi, I think Bruce Campbell is an amazing actor; the story line was original and the super natural twist to it is so original and evil. Fuckin’ scary movie in 1981 for sure!!!
E&D: What are some of your favourite memories from your time with Abattoir?
Juan: Opening for Metallica and Armored Saint at the Country Club in Reseda, California back in the day (1983) was very awesome. Metallica was touring Kill ‘Em All at that time. Also supporting W.A.S.P. at the Troubadour before they released their debut album was epic. Abattoir is a great metal band; the debut album Vicious Attack is one of my favourite albums to date. We’ve discussed possibly performing an Abattoir song live on occasion with EvilDead. We’ve done it in the past with the song ‘Screams From The Grave’.
E&D: Juan, you have played guitar in Body Count as Juan of the Dead since 2014. Can you tell us about the new record and are you looking forward to the Merciless tour this summer?
Juan: My first show with Body Count was in 2014, so I’ve been with Body Count now going on 10 years. I can’t wait for the summer Merciless European tour. Body Count is one of my favourite bands even before I started playing guitar with them. The band is solid, and we all get along well, a very professional situation and I’m grateful to be part of it. The new Body Count album should be released this year as well and the songs are super heavy and catchy.
E&D: What have been the highlights of your time in Body Count so far?
Juan: First show in Austin, Texas in 2014 at the Fun Fun Fun Festival was epic. Also Ozzfest at the Forum in Los Angeles in 2018 was also a highlight because I grew up attending the Los Angeles Lakers play basketball in that venue, and I also witnessed KISS on their Alive II tour there! Body Count getting nominated twice for best metal performance was surprising and finally winning a Grammy was surreal.
E&D: You also played in Agent Steel for a number of years. What were the highlights of playing in the band?
Juan: I was involved with Agent Steel in the beginning, and recorded on the debut album Skeptics Apocalypse from 1985, that album was a highlight to record because we were big Iron Maiden fans back then and to finally record the A.S. songs and see it released was a highlight. Also recording the second album at Morrisound studios in Tampa, Florida was another highlight. Unstoppable Force is such a timeless album. My last show with Agent Steel in 2011 at the Sweden Rock Festival was also another memory that was incredible; I thought we performed very well.
