Modern rock giants Pop Evil are back with a thunderous statement of resilience and power. Their eighth studio album, What Remains, dropped last week, March 21, via MNRK Music Group. This new release marks the band’s heaviest and most personal offering to date, showcasing their evolution from post-grunge to an even more intense and emotionally charged sound.

As the title suggests, What Remains is the product of years of perseverance, loss, and triumph. Frontman Leigh Kakaty, along with guitarists Dave Grahs and Nick Fuelling, bassist Joey “Chicago” Walser, and drummer Blake Allison, have crafted an album that channels their journey through personal battles and growth. Kakaty himself describes the record as a raw release of emotions that have been buried for years. “There are a lot of issues and things that I’ve dealt with in this journey of Pop Evil that I’ve buried for a long time,” Kakaty shares. The result is a collection of tracks that resonate with anyone who’s fought to overcome adversity.

Since the release of their 2023 album Skeletons, Pop Evil has taken their sound in a more metallic direction, and What Remains continues this trajectory. The album opens with tracks like “The Bullet That Missed” and “Deathwalk,” full of scything riffs, pounding drums, and anthemic choruses that make it clear this album is not about staying within the confines of commercial rock. Kakaty describes the creative process as one of letting the songs find their own path, rather than chasing radio-friendly sounds.

The band pushes their boundaries further than ever before, embracing their metal roots and incorporating heavier, more visceral elements into their music. “Metal has always been a part of our DNA, but we’ve never made it such a focal point before,” Kakaty explains. What Remains is a sonic explosion of life-affirming noise, one that taps into a primal energy that feels raw and unapologetic.

One of the album’s standout tracks, “Side Effects,” has already made waves with its powerful message and explosive musical backdrop. The song is a hard-hitting anthem about breaking free from toxic relationships and finding strength through liberation. “The world I built you tried to tear apart,” Kakaty sings, reflecting on the painful but necessary process of letting go. The track is anchored by a fiery breakdown and relentless guitar riffs, making it the perfect arena anthem.

Kakaty describes the message of the song as a call to action: “Toxicity is a virus that spreads and kills, but liberation and healing lie in an antidote you already possess. And now is the time to take it.” The accompanying music video for “Side Effects” mirrors the intensity of the track, showcasing the band’s explosive energy in a performance-driven clip that brings the songs themes of personal freedom to life.

Pop Evil’s journey to this point hasn’t been easy. Kakaty reflects on his early years with the band, hustling through local bars and self-releasing EPs out of the back of his truck. After overcoming a devstating knee injury that ended his basketball dreams, Kakaty put everything into Pop Evil, finding purpose in music rather than in a traditional career path. This tenacity eventually led to the band’s breakout moments, with albums like Lipstick on the Mirror and Onyx gaining them worldwide recognition.

However, the band’s path hasn’t been without struggles. Kakaty’s grief after losing his father nearly derailed Pop Evil in the early 2010s. “I was completely lost … I had just missed the last five years with my dad, chasing this dream when I could have been with him,” Kakaty recalls. But this loss led to some of Pop Evil’s most powerful work, including the self-titled Pop Evil album, which was written as a form of self-therapy during the band’s darkest period.

With What Remains, Kakaty is finally confronting his demons head-on. “There’s a lot of personal healing on this record, a lot of things I wanted to get out for my own mental well-being,” Kakaty explains. The album’s raw vulnerability, mixed with the band’s signature heaviness, marks a powerful moment in Pop Evil’s career.

To support What Remains, Pop Evil will embark on a massive spring 2025 headline tour, kicking off on April 8 in Tulsa, OK. The tour will run through May 18, hitting cities across North America. Joining the band on the road will be fellow rockers Devour the Day, Return to Dust, and Oni. The dates promise a high-octane experience, with fans able to witness the band’s new material live in all its explosive glory.

For tickets and VIP packages, visit the band’s official website.

Pop Evil has undoubtedly proved that post-grunge and nu-metal can still sound fresh and exciting in 2025, as they continue to carve their path in the modern rock scene. What Remains isn’t just an album; it’s a testament to survival, healing, and the power of music to carry you through the darkest of times.

WHAT REMAINS TRACK LISTING:
“The Bullet That Missed”
“Deathwalk“
“What Remains“
“Wishful Thinking“
“Side Effects”
“Criminal”
“Enough Is Enough”
“Zero To None”
“Knife For The Butcher”
“Overkill”

What Remains is out now via MNRK Music Group.

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