Released by: MNRK Heavy
Release Date: March 17th, 2023
Genre: Hard Rock/Metal
Links: https://popevil.com/
Line Up:
Leigh Kakaty
Nick Fuelling
Dave Grahs
Joey “Chicago” Walser
Hayley Cramer
Tracklist:
1. Arrival
2. Paranoid (Crash & Burn)
3. Circles
4. Eye of The Storm
5. Sound of Glory
6. Skeletons
7. Worth It
8. Who Will We Become
9. Wrong Direction (Feat Devour the Day)
10. Dead Reckoning (Feat Fit For A King)
11. Raging Bull (Feat Zillion)
Pop Evil I feel is a group that still seems to somewhat fly under the radar when it comes to stand-out Hard Rock/Metal bands out there. They have consistently dished out massive anthem tunes over the last few releases, and have managed to consistently improve on each album they have steadily released.
We first got into Pop Evil here after their self-titled record, which landed some big hits the likes of “Waking Lions”, “Be Legendary” and “A Crime To Remember” on the Billboard charts. The guys have stayed relatively busy with consistent touring and with another record out in 2021 “Versatile”, the urge to keep delivering hard-hitting honest music keeps the band motivated.
This shows very clearly on their new offering “Skeletons” out March 17th, via MNRK Heavy. The band still consists of frontman, Leigh Kakaty, lead guitarist Nick Fuelling, rhythm guitarist Dave Grahs, bassist Joey “Chicago” Walser, and drummer Hayley Cramer, and if you we’re all in on the guys the last few years, you have more of the same hard-hitting, catchy, melodic, Rock here.
With more commercially driven songs like “Circles”, and “Eye Of The Storm”, the outfit follows the same formula that they delivered with high potency in past works. Things tone down a bit, with a more subtle chorus and groovy-laden vibe on the album title track “Skeletons”. Something I enjoy about Pop Evil is the way they can tone the music down almost into power ballad style and make the songs very catchy, giving the band its own identity.
Another anthem comes via the chorus of “Worth It”, with Leigh Kakaty delivering the highs on another radio-worthy tune with a grandiose groove. The record finishes strong with some collaborations with “Fit For A King”, and “Zillion”, proving yet again that Pop Evil is here to stay and keeps driving the music that has made them relevant in an often overcrowded arena of Mainstream Hard Rock.
I challenge you to check the guys out live on the road as they put on a great show. Tons of energy, super tight musicianship on stage, and honestly one of the hardest hard-working bands out there. These guys love to grind live and have built a great reputation based on their live shows. Check out the new album when it comes, you won’t regret it!!!
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 8/10
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