OK, now with their third album, Five Serpent’s Teeth, can we argue that the U.K.’s Evile—hailed as one of the "New Big Four” of thrash metal—finally can put the comparisons to classic Metallica to rest?

No way—are you fucking kidding me? “Eternal Empire” clearly has shades of, if not a striking resemblance to “Disposable Heroes” within its thrashing notes, and the album closer, “Long Live the New Flesh,” sounds remarkably similar to a song that closed out a classic 1988 album. But you know what? That’s OK. Obviously, the band had its influences growing up, and if they naturally let these influences come up in their playing, then yes, you will hear familiar riffs and styles.

It was going to be a tough task to top Infected Nations, an album that solidified the brothers Drake (vocalist/rhythm guitarist Matt Drake and guitarist Ol Drake) and Evile among thrash metal’s new elite crop of bands. With Five Serpent’s Teeth, they come close, but I don’t think it quite trumps its predecessor.

For one, after the first few listens, for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to hit as hard as Infected Nations. Matt’s vocals seem even cleaner than before. He’s dropped that rough edge in parts, but still retains that angry end-note emphasis. Maybe this is a product of him becoming a better singer or the album’s production. Ol Drake is  the force of the band anyway. As with most successful thrash metal, the riffs and searing solos are the backbone of the sound. That’s been the case since Evile’s inception, and it hasn’t changed. “Descent into Madness” and “Origin of Oblivion” are the showstoppers here for Ol.

A “ballad” is included—the “make it” or “break it” standard for thrash metal bands back in the heyday of the subgenre. If said ballad became popular, you had sold out. As long as it didn’t go to radio or MTV, you were still “underground.” But “In Memorium” is neither; it’s an original, haunting tribute to bassist Mike Alexander, who passed away in 2009. Its emotional lyrics (“Come with me/When the darkness comes/We all must leave/When the darkness comes”) evoke stirring emotions in the listener.

“Cult,” the first single and video, is one of the strongest tracks, bringing to mind classic Anthrax with the “Caught in a Mosh”-style opening riff and Matt’s clean, melodic vocals. “Centurion” is a warrior’s anthem with the  title’s battle cry as the chorus—he’s a gladiator or a servant of the Gods, hellbent on victory and death.