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Evillive II
Evillive II
Evillive II
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Evilive II
Live album by
the Misfits
ReleasedAugust 14, 1998
RecordedOctober 31, 1997–March 10, 1998
Genre
LabelCaroline
Misfits chronology
American Psycho
(1997) 		Evilive II
(1998) 		Famous Monsters
(1999)

Evilive II (also known as Evillive)[4][5] is a 1998 live album by the American punk rock band Misfits. Featuring the "resurrected"[N 1] Misfits lineup of vocalist Michale Graves, bassist Jerry Only, guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, and drummer Dr. Chud, the album was recorded between October 1997 and March 1998 at a number of concerts in the United States. The album was released on CD by Caroline Records on August 14, 1998, and was made exclusively available through the official Misfits' fan club, known as "the Fiend Club", and was also sold on tour. The CD has since gone out-of-print.

The album's title is reminiscent of the title of the band's previous live album, Evilive, which was released in 1982. The cover artwork for Evilive II was created by artist Pushead.

Recording and release

[edit]

The tracks for Evilive II were recorded live at various concert venues throughout the United States between October 31, 1997, and March 10, 1998.[4] The album was released on CD by Caroline Records on August 14, 1998, and was made available to members of the official Misfits' fan club, known as "the Fiend Club", by mail order.[4][8] The album was also sold on tour between 1998 and 2000.[5] The cover artwork for the album was created by artist Pushead.[4][8] The first 1,000 copies were mistakenly printed in blue ink, and all subsequent copies were printed in white ink as originally intended.[5] The CD has since gone out-of-print.[5]

Bootleg recordings of Evilive II on CD were available in Europe as early as 2005.[8] The album was also bootlegged and released in Germany on LP records.[8]

Track listing

[edit]

All tracks are written by the Misfits (Michale Graves, Jerry Only, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, and Dr. Chud) except where noted.

No.TitleRecording date/locationLength
1."Intro / Abominable Dr. Phibes"October 31, 1997, The Palace, Los Angeles[citation needed]1:46
2."American Psycho"October 31, 1997, The Palace, Los Angeles[citation needed]2:05
3."Walk Among Us"October 31, 1997, The Palace, Los Angeles[citation needed]1:16
4."The Hunger"October 31, 1997, The Palace, Los Angeles[citation needed]1:38
5."From Hell They Came"October 31, 1997, The Palace, Los Angeles[citation needed]2:06
6."Speak of the Devil"November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, Denver[citation needed]1:43
7."Last Caress" (Glenn Danzig)November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, Denver[citation needed]1:55
8."Dig Up Her Bones"October 31, 1997, The Palace, Los Angeles[citation needed]2:52
9."American Nightmare" (Danzig)November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, Denver[citation needed]1:34
10."Day of the Dead"November 17, 1997, Bohager's, Baltimore[citation needed]2:08
11."Hate the Living, Love the Dead"November 5, 1997, La Luna, Portland, Oregon[citation needed]1:36
12."Shining"November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, Denver[citation needed]2:47
13."Don't Open 'Til Doomsday"March 10, 1998, White Rabbit, San Antonio[citation needed]3:11
14."This Island Earth"November 17, 1997, Bohager's, Baltimore[citation needed]2:10
15."Where Eagles Dare" (Danzig)November 14, 1997, Agora Theatre, Cleveland[citation needed]1:56
16."Bullet" (Danzig)November 5, 1997, La Luna, Portland, Oregon[citation needed]1:24
17."Vampira" (Danzig)March 10, 1998, White Rabbit, San Antonio[citation needed]1:25
18."The Haunting"November 14, 1997, Agora Theatre, Cleveland[citation needed]1:26
19."Die, Die My Darling" (Danzig)November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, Denver[citation needed]3:08

Personnel

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
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Evillive II

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Evilive II is a live album by the American band Misfits, released in 1998 as a limited-edition CD exclusively through the band's Fiend Club . Featuring 19 tracks recorded at various U.S. venues between October 31, 1997, and March 10, 1998, the album captures the band's high-energy performances of both classic songs and newer material from their late-1990s resurrection era. The album showcases the Misfits lineup of vocalist , bassist , guitarist , and drummer , marking a revival of the band's original horror-themed punk sound after a hiatus. Only 4,033 copies were pressed, with 1,000 featuring a black-and-blue label and the remaining 3,000 in black-and-white, emphasizing its collectible status among fans. Produced and written by the band, with engineering by and Ian Heath, Evilive II serves as a to the group's live release , blending punk aggression with horror motifs in tracks like "," "," and "." Key tracks include an intro featuring "Abominable Dr. Phibes," followed by staples like "From Hell They Came," "Hate the Living, Love the Dead," and "Die, Die My Darling," highlighting the Graves-era Misfits' fidelity to their roots while introducing songs from the album American Psycho (1997). The recording spans multiple shows, providing a raw, audience-energized document of the band's tour supporting their comeback, and it remains a notable entry in their discography for preserving this transitional phase before further lineup changes. Though primarily available on CD at release, unofficial vinyl pressings have since emerged, often in colored variants like gold or white, catering to vinyl collectors.

Background

Misfits Reformation

The Misfits were originally formed in April 1977 in , by bassist and vocalist , emerging at the dawn of the movement with a distinctive blend of aggressive punk sounds, horror-themed lyrics inspired by B-movies and sci-fi, and a signature visual style including the "devil lock" hairstyle. The band quickly built a through singles and EPs released on their own Plan 9 label, but internal conflicts, particularly creative and personal tensions between Only and Danzig, led to the group's dissolution in 1983. Following the breakup, Danzig pursued successful projects with and his solo band Danzig, while Only explored other ventures, including a brief band with his brother . In the early , Only initiated legal action against Danzig to reclaim rights to the Misfits name, trademarks, and , stemming from disputes over royalties and usage of the band's iconic imagery like the "fiend skull" . The protracted battle, which lasted nearly a decade, centered on ownership of the band's legacy, with Danzig arguing for shared control based on his foundational role. An out-of-court settlement in 1994, effective January 1, 1995, granted Only and the exclusive rights to record and perform as the Misfits, resolving the core conflicts and allowing Only to move forward without Danzig's involvement. This victory was motivated by Only's desire to revive the band's ethos and capitalize on its enduring fanbase, supported briefly by the Fiend Club fan organization during the legal process. The official reformation was announced in 1995, ushering in the "resurrected Misfits" era with Only on bass and vocals initially, Doyle returning on guitar, and a new vocalist, , to inject fresh energy and appeal to younger audiences while honoring the original sound. Graves, a 20-year-old from , was selected for his vocal range that echoed Danzig's style but added a modern edge, enabling the band to blend classic with heavier, more metallic elements. This lineup's creative motivations focused on recapturing the band's aggressive spirit and expanding its thematic universe, free from past constraints. As a precursor to later live recordings like Evillive II, the reformed Misfits released their first full-length studio album, , in 1997 on , which debuted at No. 117 on the and reestablished the band's commercial viability. The album featured 15 short, punchy tracks—most under two minutes—drawing on '50s influences and horror motifs, with Only handling much of the songwriting to assert the new era's direction. It marked a successful , blending the original punk roots with contemporary production, and set the stage for the lineup's touring and further output.

Lineup and Pre-Recording Tour

Following the legal settlement in 1995 that permitted and to revive the Misfits name, the band assembled its core lineup with vocalist , bassist , guitarist (returning after leaving in 1983), and drummer (David Calabrese). Graves, then 20 years old, was recruited after responding to a advertisement for auditions where his horror-themed vocal style impressed the band; Only described him as "really good" and noted his early songwriting talent, having penned tracks like "" as a teenager. This configuration marked a deliberate effort to blend the band's classic punk energy with fresh material while preserving their signature hairstyles and aesthetic of ghoulish imagery, including and themes. Starting in early 1997 and continuing through late 1997 and into 1998, the lineup embarked on an extensive tour across and to promote their American Psycho, building momentum for subsequent live recordings including those captured for Evillive II. The tour featured high-energy sets that tested a mix of classic Misfits tracks from the 1980s alongside new songs like "American Psycho" and "Halloween," allowing the band to refine their performance dynamics with Graves' soaring, theatrical vocals. Notable stops included Halloween-themed shows, such as the performance at in , where the setlist emphasized horror-infused anthems to engage audiences in the band's macabre atmosphere. Fan reception to this new era was initially mixed, with some purists dismissing the Danzig-less incarnation as a commercial ploy, while others embraced the lineup's catchy fright-rock sound and commitment to the Misfits' devilock and corpse-paint visuals as a successful . The tour's enthusiastic crowds, often numbering in the thousands, demonstrated growing acceptance, particularly for Graves' ability to channel the band's horror roots in live settings, helping solidify the group's resurgence.

Production

Live Recording Process

The live recordings for Evillive II were captured across select dates of the Misfits' 1997–1998 U.S. tour, spanning from the band's Halloween performance on October 31, 1997, at in to their show on March 10, 1998, at the in . Key venues included the Ogden Theatre in on November 8, 1997, and Bohager's in on November 17, 1997, where multiple tracks from the album were sourced to showcase the band's dynamic stage presence. The band employed multi-track recording equipment at these chosen U.S. tour stops to faithfully preserve the raw, unpolished energy inherent in their performances, emphasizing the chaotic intensity of live shows over studio polish. Selection of recording dates prioritized locations with high-energy crowds and strong technical reliability, particularly those drawing the band's devoted "Fiend" fanbase, whose enthusiastic participation amplified the horror-punk atmosphere. The lineup, stable since the start of the 1997 tour with on vocals, on bass and vocals, on guitar, and on drums, ensured consistent delivery across the recorded sets.

Post-Production and Mastering

Following the live captures from various tour dates, for Evilive II took place at Creepy Attic Studio in , where drummer handled the mixing of the raw tapes. Mastering was completed by John Smith to prepare the material for CD release. Engineers and Ian Heath contributed to the process, with the Misfits credited as overall producers. The album opens with a live introductory track incorporating dialogue from the 1971 film . The final sequencing features 19 tracks with a total runtime of 38 minutes and 6 seconds, mixing contemporary songs from the reformed lineup, such as "" and "," with established classics like "" and "."

Release

Commercial Release Details

Evillive II was released on August 14, 1998, as a by the Misfits through their self-released Fiend Club imprint, capturing live performances from the band's 1997–1998 tour at its peak. The album documented the resurrected lineup's energetic stage presence across multiple venues, including shows in , Portland, , and others, highlighting the evolution of their sound in a live setting. Initially, the album was made available exclusively through the Misfits' official , the Fiend Club, via mail-order, with limited editions pressed in quantities such as 1,000 copies featuring blue and black CDs and 3,000 with black and white variants. This direct-to-fan approach allowed early access for dedicated supporters before broader distribution. Starting in late 1998, copies became available for purchase at the band's live shows during the Evillive II Tour and subsequent performances through 2000, expanding reach to concert audiences.

Packaging and Distribution Variants

The cover artwork for Evillive II was created by artist . It depicts the band in a live performance setting, emphasizing their signature aesthetic with sporting prominent devilocks. The original release came in a standard jewel case CD format, exclusively distributed through the band's Fiend Club fan club. A total of 4,033 copies were pressed, with the first 1,000 featuring a black and blue CD label due to a production error, while the subsequent 3,000 used the intended black and white label. Due to the album's out-of-print status, unauthorized bootleg versions emerged, including a CD pressing in around 2005 and various LP editions in starting in 2003, some pressed on colored vinyl like milk white or clear and often featuring modified artwork.

Content

Track Listing

Evilive II consists of 19 tracks recorded live during the Misfits' 1997–1998 U.S. tour, capturing performances from various venues to showcase the band's high-energy setlist that blends classic material with newer compositions. The album's track listing is as follows:
No.TitleRecording Date and VenueDuration
1"Intro / "October 31, 1997, The Palace, , CA1:46
2""October 31, 1997, The Palace, , CA2:05
3""October 31, 1997, The Palace, , CA1:16
4"The Hunger"October 31, 1997, The Palace, , CA1:38
5"From Hell They Came"October 31, 1997, The Palace, , CA2:06
6""November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, , CO1:43
7""November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, , CO1:55
8""October 31, 1997, The Palace, , CA2:52
9"American Nightmare"November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, , CO1:34
10"Day of the Dead"November 17, 1997, Bohager's, , MD2:08
11"Hate the Living, Love the Dead"November 5, 1997, La Luna, Portland, OR1:36
12"Shining"November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, , CO2:47
13"Don't Open 'Til Doomsday"March 10, 1998, White Rabbit, , TX3:11
14""November 17, 1997, Bohager's, , MD2:10
15""November 14, 1997, Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH1:56
16"Bullet"November 5, 1997, La Luna, Portland, OR1:24
17"Vampira"March 10, 1998, White Rabbit, , TX1:25
18"The Haunting"November 14, 1997, Agora Theatre, Cleveland, OH1:26
19""November 8, 1997, Ogden Theatre, , CO3:08
The selections draw from the band's classic 1977–1983 era (7 tracks, including punk staples like "Last Caress" and "Bullet"), the 1997 American Psycho album (9 tracks, such as "American Psycho," "Dig Up Her Bones," "Hate the Living, Love the Dead," and "This Island Earth"), and 3 Graves-era originals ("American Nightmare," "Shining," "Don't Open 'Til Doomsday"), some of which were later released on Cuts from the Crypt (2001). The original pressing includes no bonus tracks, maintaining a runtime of approximately 38 minutes.

Song Selections and Performances

Evilive II features a curated selection of tracks that blend the Misfits' classic horror punk catalog with material from their late-1990s reformation, emphasizing continuity in theme and energy across eras, including previews of material later featured on Famous Monsters (1999) such as "Shining" and "Don't Open 'Til Doomsday." The album opens with an intro leading into "American Psycho," a new composition from the 1997 album of the same name, signaling a revitalized start for the lineup featuring Michale Graves on vocals. This is followed by early hits like "Walk Among Us" and "Last Caress," evoking nostalgia for the band's original Glenn Danzig period while integrating fresh songs such as "The Hunger" and "American Nightmare" to demonstrate evolution without abandoning core motifs of monsters, horror, and punk aggression. Standout live performances highlight Graves' interpretations of Danzig-era staples, infusing them with a distinct, youthful edge that differentiates the reformed sound, though some deliveries veer off-key and evoke a akin to GWAR's frontman. Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein's guitar work maintains the raw, riff-driven intensity of the originals, with the overall renditions staying faithful to studio versions but amplified by infectious crowd noise and spontaneous banter, such as Graves responding to fan requests mid-set. Tracks like "Where Eagles Dare" and "Bullet" exemplify this dynamic, where audience participation through chants and cheers heightens the chaotic, immersive atmosphere central to the Misfits' live ethos. The selections prioritize versions capturing peak audience engagement, avoiding subdued takes in favor of those that amplify thematic consistency in —evident in the seamless flow from supernatural narratives in "From Hell They Came" to undead anthems like "." Stage interactions and crowd responses further enhance songs such as "," reinforcing the album's role as a document of the band's high-energy shows from 1997 to 1998.

Personnel

Band Members

The lineup for Evillive II featured the reformed Misfits configuration from the late 1990s, with and reuniting to anchor the band alongside newer members. served as lead vocalist, having joined the Misfits in 1995 following open auditions; his contributions to the live album emphasized a horror rock style with powerful, emotive delivery that energized the crowd during performances. Jerry Only, the band's founder and primary songwriter since its inception in 1977, handled and backing vocals, propelling the rhythm section with his aggressive, driving lines and maintaining the group's signature hairstyle as a visual hallmark. Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, an original member who returned in 1995, played , delivering the heavy, riff-driven sound that defined the album's intense live energy and bridged the band's punk roots with metal influences. Dr. Chud provided drums and backing vocals, setting the fast-paced punk tempo essential to the Misfits' horror punk aesthetic, while also contributing to the recording and mixing processes that captured the raw stage atmosphere of Evillive II.

Production Team

The production of Evillive II involved key technical staff who handled the recording, mixing, and mastering to preserve the raw energy of the Misfits' live performances. Dr. Chud, primarily known as the band's drummer, took on additional responsibilities for recording and mixing the album, focusing on maintaining the authentic live sound captured during the shows. Live sound engineers Ian Heath and were responsible for the on-site engineering, ensuring multi-track audio capture at the venues to facilitate work. Their efforts contributed to the high-fidelity representation of the band's energetic sets. John Smith served as the mastering engineer, polishing the final mixes for the CD release and optimizing the overall sonic balance. Artist designed the cover artwork, providing a striking visual identity that aligned with the album's aesthetic and the band's branding.

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

Upon its release, Evilive II received mixed reviews from critics and fans, praised for its raw capture of the Michale Graves-era Misfits' live energy during their 1997-1998 tour but often critiqued for uneven sound quality and vocal delivery. Mark Prindle described the album as a compilation from seven concerts, highlighting its unpolished, "raw" audio as a welcome contrast to the band's slick studio productions like , though he noted the performances lacked the menacing presence of the original lineup, with Graves' vocals coming across as off-key and more reminiscent of GWAR's Oderus Urungus than Danzig's baritone style. User ratings reflected this ambivalence, with an average score of 2.8 out of 5 on based on 101 reviews, where some appreciated the fidelity to the band's revived sound and crowd banter during tracks like "," which helped bridge classic material with newer songs for longtime fans. On , the fared slightly better with a 4.24 out of 5 from 83 user ratings as of 2025, emphasizing its value as a straightforward document of the tour despite technical shortcomings. Overall, while not a standout in the , Evilive II was regarded as a competent live snapshot overshadowed by the band's more polished studio efforts.

Availability and Reissues

The original Evillive II CD self-release through the Misfits' Fiend Club from 1998 is out of print, with original copies commanding high prices on the , often exceeding $50 for well-preserved examples. No official reissues of the have been produced as of 2025, though select tracks from the era appear in broader Misfits compilations. Unofficial bootleg versions proliferated following the original's scarcity, including CD compilations released in starting in 2005 and various LP pressings in from 2003 onward, with additional unofficial LP reissues in 2023, featuring inconsistent audio quality and pressing variants such as standard black, milk white with streaks, clear vinyl, and others. Digital access to Evillive II remains limited, with the full album unavailable on major streaming platforms like or as of 2025, though individual tracks occasionally surface through the band's Nitro Records-affiliated catalog on select services.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/release/825444-Misfits-Evilive-II
  2. https://tpl.se/music/misfits-evilive-ii-lp-white/
  3. https://www.discogs.com/master/138542-Misfits-Evilive-II
  4. https://earcandymusic.biz/misfits-evilive-ii-lp-vinyl/
  5. https://www.misfits.com/info/
  6. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/misfits-mn0000891063
  7. https://www.ibtimes.com/glenn-danzigs-lawsuit-against-former-misfits-bandmate-digs-bones-decades-old-trademark-1582583
  8. https://crypticrock.com/interview-jerry-only-of-the-misfits/
  9. https://mytoucheblog.com/portfolio/after-i-left-misfits-i-lost-everything-exclusive-interview-with-michale-graves/
  10. https://www.allmusic.com/album/american-psycho-mw0000020952
  11. https://www.popmatters.com/cut-out-bin-the-misfits-american-psycho-1997-2496126347.html
  12. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336331/bio/
  13. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/misfits/1997/the-palace-los-angeles-ca-5bdcabe4.html
  14. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/misfits?page=1&year=1997
  15. https://www.misfitscentral.com/misfits95/tourdates.php
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/1813921-Misfits-Evilive-II
  17. https://www.misfits.com/info/discography.html
  18. https://www.discogs.com/release/2113805-Misfits-Evilive-II
  19. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/misfits/evilive-ii/
  20. https://www.misfitscentral.com/misfits95/discog.php
  21. https://www.discogs.com/release/5291943-Misfits-Evilive-II
  22. http://www.misfitscentral.com/display.php?t=marticle&f=boxset.96
  23. https://www.discogs.com/master/8096-Misfits-American-Psycho
  24. https://www.discogs.com/master/29614-Misfits-Cuts-From-The-Crypt
  25. https://www.discogs.com/master/8092-Misfits-Famous-Monsters
  26. http://www.markprindle.com/misfitsa.htm
  27. https://tascam.com/us/learn/detail/58309
  28. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/michale-graves-mn0000555988
  29. http://www.markprindle.com/only-i.htm
  30. https://dyingscene.com/archive/10-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-jerry-only-misfits/
  31. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/doyle-mn0001346704
  32. https://www.discogs.com/release/3932531-Misfits-Evilive-II
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