Ol Drake

On 30 August 2013 Ol announced that he was leaving Evile due to becoming detached from the band and touring scene. He said, "I've reached a point where I want a family/kids, a house, a steady and definite income and everything in between, and in regard to my personal preferences, a touring band's income and uncertainties, in the state that I feel they would continue to be in, has become incompatible with how I feel and what I want/need".

In December 2013 it was announced that Ol Drake had begun recording and will be releasing his debut solo album in 2014 under Earache Records titled Old Rake. In March 2014 he collaborated with Skindred drummer Arya Goggin as well as Eddy Temple-Morris, dubstep producer Rednek and grime rapper Beaupierre in a new Jägermeister UK backed project called "REABO".

On 10 December 2013 Drake announced he had inked a deal with Earache Records/Century Media with James Murphy (Death, Testament, Obituary,) mixing the album. His debut record, entitled "Old Rake" is slated for release on 22 June in Europe and 23 June in North America. Guests on the album include Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer), James Murphy, and Josh Middleton (Sylosis). Mike Heller (Malignancy, Fear Factory, System Divide) plays drums on the entire album.

In May 2012, Ol was nominated in the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder" Award as part of the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.

Ol appeared as a guest on Destruction's 2011 album Day of Reckoning stating that it was "An experience I'll never forget". On 29 June 2011 Ol revealed the solos which he contributed are as follows: "The Price" (1:09-1:20, 2:09-2:15 and 2:23-2:29), "Devil's Advocate" (3:08-3:21), "Sorcerer of Black Magic" (2:36-3:14), "Sheep of the Regime" (4:06-fade) and "Stand Up and Shout (Dio Cover)" (1:25-1:52 and 2:28-end).

At the UK's Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth in 2010 Ol joined comedian Tim Minchin on stage for his track "Rock N Roll Nerd".

In September 2009, Schmier from Destruction asked Drake to stand in for their guitarist, Mike Sifringer, who broke his fingers forcing Destruction to find a temporary replacement, for their performance at Portugal's Caos Emergente Festival.

In December 2008, Drake paid tribute to the late Chuck Schuldiner, by posting a cover of Death's "Voice of the Soul" online, along with a video slideshow of Schuldiner related images.

On 19 November 2008, while on tour in Europe with Satyricon, Drake collapsed due to health issues. His jaw was fractured and the underside of his chin was cut open. Evile were forced to cancel their appearances on the remainder of the tour. He then had to have his jaw wired shut for two weeks for healing.

In 2004, they formed Evile. They recorded an EP All Hallows Eve in 2004 (which contained an instrumental track by Drake named "Torment") and a demo Hell Demo in 2006. Soon after, the band signed to Earache Records and recorded their debut album, Enter the Grave, produced by Flemming Rasmussen. He was also responsible for conceptualising the album art for Enter the Grave.

They would go on to play live in the local areas under the name Metal Militia, Drake taking on the role of lead guitarist, though after three or four years, this grew stale for the band, forcing them to eventually go on to form Evile in 2003. Original songs would feature in the live set, with positive results.

In 2000, Matt Drake and Ben Carter got together to form a covers band. As Drake had advanced on the guitar by this time, they asked him to join the band. After bassist Mike Alexander joined, they played many shows together over the next few years.

Ol Drake (born Oliver Michael Drake, 28 March 1984) is an English guitarist, most notably the lead guitarist of English thrash metal group, Evile.