If you had to pick one word to describe the Rock band calling themselves Pop Evil, it would be tenacious. Out of the blue-collar town of North Muskegon, Michigan, led by Vocalist Leigh Kakaty, they put in the work as a local band in the mid-2000s, and soon, their worth was realized with a record deal. Going on to release their debut studio album Lipstick on the Mirror in 2008, the band succeeded with songs like “100 in a 55” and “Hero” while finding themselves on tour with legendary acts like Whitesnake and Judas Priest in 2009.
Truly a dream come true, the road ahead for Pop Evil was not entirely paved with roses because they had to continue grinding away. All in a day’s work for a Rock band; it paid off with albums like 2011’s War of Angels, 2013’s Onyx, 2015’s Up, and their 2018 self-titled, which all reached peak positions on US charts. Always driven by melodic hooks, the band has also not shied away from pushing their sound in different directions from album to album, which is a factor that continues to make them interesting. This was evident with the 2023 outing Skeletons, which was a mixed hybrid of Hard Rock and heavier modern Metal. However, Pop Evil looks to push the envelope further in 2025 with the new album What Remains.
Due out on March 21, 2025, through MNRK Heavy, Pop Evil’s eighth studio album digs deeper, turning frustration into something furious and poignant. Still led by Kakaty on vocals, joining him is original Guitarist Dave Grahs, long-time Lead Guitarist Nick Fuelling, Joey “Chicago” Walser (of Egypt Central/Devour the Day) on bass, and brand new member Blake Allison (also of Devour the Day/Egypt Central) on drums. With Allison taking over on drums for Hayley Cramer (who bowed out after recording three studio albums and touring regularly with Pop Evil), the band seems to have taken the changes in stride as they push forward.
As mentioned, Pop Evil is a band that has sustained success… but not without tribulations. Breaking it down briefly, the band has been hit with various lineup changes through the years but still marches on. Furthermore, band leader Leigh Kakaty has also battled through his own issues, such as losing his father and learning hard life lessons, all while spending most of his time on the road with a Rock-n-roll band. Someone who certainly is conscious of what he does and who wants to strive to be the best version of himself, Kakaty certainly reaches into the depth of his soul with What Remains to dish out a lot of pent-up feelings in what could be Pop Evil’s heaviest record to date.
Consisting of ten tracks, the album takes on a modern Alternative Metal ascetic with Hip Hop, Pop, Rock, Electronic, and even some Metalcore elements. A sound that might take some by surprise; if you have heard early promotional singles like “Deathwalk,” “What Remains,” or “Wishful Thinking,” you should have some idea that these songs possess some very heavy guitars and aggressive vocals. Matched with modern production and interesting vocal effects, this is Pop Evil like never heard before.
In short, What Remains is quite intense. A bold move, Pop Evil further proves they are far from a one-trick pony. Unlike other bands that find a sound and stick with it, Pop Evil seems to keep experimenting with little concern about losing an audience. Something commendable, you could say that Pop Evil is challenging you to pay attention. With that in mind, songs that hit you heavily on What Remains would have to include the resilient “When Bullets Miss,” the realization of external negativity on “Side Effects,” the crushing Industrial feeling of “Criminal,” and “Enough Is Enough” which has signature Pop Evil vocal hooks throughout.
Overall, What Remains is a record that feels like a volcanic eruption. It is a cathartic release and could mean Pop Evil will continue along this heavier trajectory, or not… because we all know little is predictable with this band. That is why Cryptic Rock applauds their fearless experimentation and gives What Remains 4 out of 5 stars.
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