Just a few days into their European tour with AMON AMARTH, EVILE bassist Mike Alexander was suddenly taken ill and rushed to hospital, but tragically passed away in Lulea, Sweden on October 5th due to a pulmonary embolism (blood clot on the lungs).

In their first interview since the tragic incident, Evile members Matt Drake, Ol Drake and Ben Carter speak exclusively to Metal Hammer in the UK about what happened and where the band will go from here.

Watch a video of the interview along with pictures of Mike below.

Evile: The Mike Alexander Interview from Metal Hammer on Vimeo.

The band has announced two UK memorial shows as follows:

December
7 - Leeds, UK - Rios
8 - London, UK - Underworld

According to a band update: "The entrance fee will be £5 minimum as a donation to Mike’s family. To raise more for Mike's family we will be holding a tombola/raffle - Items will include gifts from bands from around the world; EXODUS, OVERKILL, HIRAX and many more being confirmed every day. Raffle tickets will be £10 with all takings going to the family."
For information visit Facebook.

Mike Alexander was born in West Ham, London, and died at the age of 32. He was a founding member of Evile, which formed in 2004. The band's debut album, Enter the Grave, was released through Earache in 2007. Evile's second album, Infected Nations, was released on September 21.

Check out the Mike Alexander Memorial site at this location.