Two years since the cult US thrashers EvilDead released Toxic Grace, it is time for a remaster of the band’s first two albums, Annihilation of Civilization and The Underworld. The recordings date back to the halcyon days of 1989 and 1991, with Bill Metoyer doing the remastering.
EvilDead – Annihilation Of Civilization
Release Date: 27 March 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
We are focused only on Annihilation Of Civilization for this review, which featured vocalist Phil Flores, Albert Gonzales and Juan Garcia on guitars, bassist Mel Sanchez and drummer Rob Alaniz, with classic album art by the legendary Ed Repka. Four of this line-up remain active in the band following their reformation in 2016.
Annihilation Of Civilization is a melting pot of Speed and Thrash with a crossover stomp and a lyrical content that typically addressed political and social issues alongside more generic horror and apocalyptic themes.
So why remaster this album? “Compiling and remastering these two classic albums was time-consuming, from tracking down bonus material to locating old photos,” says co-founder Juan Garcia. “Our fans have been asking for these albums to be available again for many years, and we’re proud to announce that the long wait is finally over.”
Opening with F.C.I. The Awakening and powering through to the finale of Rise Above, EvilDead never let up on the tempo. It is a maelstrom of ferocious and frenetic riffs, extreme speed and chaotic solos that rip out of the main body of the songs with real teeth.
It is interesting to listen to an album that was released not long after the Big Four were already moving far away from the original Thrash sound, but there are plenty of influences that live within this album.
There are the Anthrax type stomps and the visceral edge of early Exodus, the political rage of Nuclear Assault and the broader melody of Testament. Just four Thrash outfits who remain in high regard today and whose influence is evident here.
Throw in classic Crossover outfits as well, and you have this potent mix, which still sounds great today.
The title track still challenges, with its staccato beat and driving riffs. And they are not just throwaway three-minute tracks here, but more complex thrashers like Living Good, which at over 5:30 in length is almost progressive for EvilDead.
Combined with the chug of Future Shock and the dark Holy Trials, and you have three solid and varied tracks which provide a big part of the record.
For EvilDead, this is an opportunity for those fans who may have only recently found them to delve further into their heritage. Few could argue that Annihilation Of Civilization is not a Thrash classic, even if it sits a generation behind the old gods.
With a powerful and fresh production, it is time to dust off the hi-tops and the denim jacket. It’s time to mosh it up!!
EvilDead release the remasters of Annihilation Of Civilization and The Underworld on 27 March 2026 via Steamhammer. Pre-orders are available from evildead.lnk.to/Annihilation and evildead.lnk.to/Underworld.
