Just a few days into the band's European tour with AMON AMARTH, bassist Mike Alexander of British thrashers EVILE was suddenly taken ill and rushed to hospital, but tragically passed away in Luleå, Sweden [on Monday, October 5]. He was 32 years old.

EVILE members Matt Drake, Ol Drake and Ben Carter have released the following statement:

"This is so hard to find the words to express fully how we feel. We can't believe or accept what's happened. One minute we're talking to our buddy, Mike, the next minute we can never speak to him again.

"There's so many things rushing through our heads that we want to say, do and feel. We half expect him to come round the corner and call us 'dickheads'. We can't get our heads around it.

"It upsets us so much that he was away from his family when this happened, although knowing Mike, we're at least glad he was on tour doing what he loves.

"We're lost for words. We all miss him so much already. He was such a headstrong, genuinely nice guy who loved music and his family. We've got so many brilliant memories with him.

"Our hearts go out to his daughter, family and friends at this tragic, difficult time.

"Mike is much loved and is sorely missed.

"Rest in peace, brother."

BrooklynRocks conducted an interview with Ol Drake and Mike Alexander on August 20, 2009 at the Earache Records offices in New York City. Watch the chat below.

EVILE's sophomore album, "Infected Nations", was released on September 21 in Europe and September 22 in the U.S. via Earache Records.