EVILE Recording PANTERA's 'Cemetary Gates' For DIMEBAG Tribute Album; Video Footage Available

December 3, 2009

British thrashers EVILE recently recorded their version of a classic PANTERA track for the upcoming "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) tribute album, which will be released on the cover of the 200th issue of the U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine.

The special CD and magazine are being released to coincide with the five-year anniversary of Dimebag's passing, and will be available in shops on December 16.

Alongside various other well-known bands such as MACHINE HEAD, EVILE were asked to record a song as a tribute to the late guitarist. EVILE recorded a cover of the track "Cemetary Gates", and this tragically turned out to be the band's last recording before the untimely death of their own bassist, Mike Alexander, who passed away on October 5 while on tour in Sweden.

A behind-the-scenes video — the last video filmed with Mike — of EVILE recording the track at Parlour Studios with producer Russ Russell can be seen below.

Commented EVILE lead guitarist Ol Drake: "The day we got the call from our manager, Julie Weir, saying Metal Hammer have asked us to pay tribute to Dimebag Darrell by covering a PANTERA song, we couldn't have been more excited and honored.. I mean, how many more bands are there more worthy of paying tribute to the man? With us all being fans of PANTERA, we swiftly said yes. Mike, though, was the biggest PANTERA fan. He'd seen them years ago and absolutely worshipped Dimebag.

"After Dime got killed, Mike couldn't listen to 'Cemetary Gates' anymore. He'd always ask us to skip the track in the car/van/bus because it was too much for him. So when we chose to do the track, it was tough for Mike, but I'm glad he did it. It turned out to be the last song he recorded, which to me is a strangely 'appropriate' tribute to him and Dimebag. I remember him nearing the verge of tears whilst I was doing the tremolo bends at the end of the track.

"We hope PANTERA/Dimebag fans find this a fitting tribute from us, as we're simply fans ourselves who've been given this rare honour."

Added Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas: "I was genuinely over the moon when EVILE volunteered to produce a track for our upcoming Dimebag tribute, a stunningly rendered cover of PANTERA's classic 'Cemetary Gates'. So when the truly tragic news of Mike Alexander's all-too-premature departure from this world hit the office, the tragic irony wasn't lost on me or anyone here that Mike Alexander's tribute to the immortal legacy of Dimebag would also be a final testament to his own impeccable musicianship and commitment to the music we love.

"To understate the case slightly, it's a very special track indeed, and we're honoured that it's a part of our upcoming tribute collection.

"Rest in peace, Dimebag, and rest in peace, Mike Alexander."

The Dimebag Darrell tribute album contains the following tracks:

01. ZAKK WYLDE - "Suicide Note Pt. 1"
02. MACHINE HEAD - "Fucking Hostile"
03. MALEFICE - "I'm Broken"
04. AVENGED SEVENFOLD - "Walk"
05. EVILE - "Cemetery Gates"
06. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH - "A New Level"
07. BIOHAZARD - "Mouth For War"
08. SYLOSIS - "Strength Beyond Strength"
09. CHIMAIRA - "Slaughtered"
10. UNEARTH - "Sandblasted Skin"
11. THROWDOWN - "Becoming"
12. KIUAS - "This Love"
13. THIS IS HELL - "Rise"

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