Deep Dive Into Pop Evil and New Music Video of Single “What Remains”
Pop Evil - A Hard Rock band composed of Leigh Kakaty (Vocals), Hayley Kramer (Drummer who Left the band in 2023), Chachi Riot (Drummer), Dave Grahs (Guitarist), Nick Fuellings (Guitarists) and Matt DiRito (Bassist). They originated in North Muskegon, Michigan, in 2001. They got their name from Leigh Kakaty’s love of heavy metal music, which includes loud, crackly guitars and metal rhythms. Their first album, named “War of the Roses,” involved the songs “Off You Go,” “Out of The Rain,” and their first song, “Denial.” Their studio debut album was released on August 12th, 2008, named “Lipstick on The Mirror” with the hits “100 in a 55”, “Somebody Like You,” and “Stepping Stone.” With this new single, “What Remains,” they’re genuinely proving how great the band all work together. Having this single follow-up to their album “Skeletons” was a great choice for them. The single was officially released on August 9th, 2024.
Now, let's get into the video! It gave me very dystopian world vibes. It reminded me a lot of the Divergent movies. It’s eerie, and then at (0:50), the music absolutely booms out at you, with all the instruments coming together to make this amazing melody that shakes you to your core. And then after that, at (1:04), Leigh Kakaty shows his amazing vocal range, comparing his almost rapping-like sound at the beginning to the chorus is a crazy difference. It’s so admirable that he can do that! The instrumental parts of the song really show how well the band all works together. All of the sounds, the guitar riffs and drumming pounding through your skin, work together so well. I felt completely transported into the music and it sent goosebumps all over my arms. I’m so excited to be seeing them on their upcoming tour, “The Animal Instinct Tour,” with Bad Wolves, Sierra Pilot, and ONI.
In the scene around (2:05) where the walls start crumbling, it gives off a sense of panic but relief. Like those walls you have over yourself finally breaking, it’s terrifying because you're opening yourself to be seen and perceived, but then it is freeing. You finally feel like you. Then he saves himself- well the clone of himself- like it’s his past self. Even though he looked at it with disdain in his eyes because you don’t always like who you are. But they are always a part of you, and you take all the pieces of you and pull them together and grow them to become something you're proud of because they always were and are you. Overall, the meaning of the song and the video are great and cohesive. It was a great watch, and I’m glad it was released. It seems pretty loved, with only being out for 2 weeks and having over 327,000 views so far!
