For twenty years, Leigh Kakaty has been determined to elevate Pop Evil from the grassroots of Michigan’s local music scene to the forefront of modern rock. A survivor of the industry’s highs and lows, Kakaty has remained steadfast in his vision. On March 21, 2025, Pop Evil released their eighth full-length album, What Remains, via MNRK Heavy.
Produced by Wage War’s Cody Quistad, the album is a relentless fusion of heavy metal and modern rock, pulling no punches. Kakaty delivers a raw and impassioned performance, channeling his personal and professional struggles into a record that lays bare the challenges of the industry and Pop Evil’s place within it.
Formed in North Muskegon, Michigan, in 2001, Pop Evil was shaped as much by Kakaty’s love for basketball as by his passion for music. The discipline, teamwork, and perseverance he learned on the court became the foundation for his approach to the music business. After a knee injury sidelined his sports ambitions, Kakaty turned to music, grinding through local bar gigs and handing out EPs from the back of his truck.
By 2008, Pop Evil had released their debut album, Lipstick on the Mirror, followed by War of Angels in 2011, which brought global success. Their 2013 album Onyx introduced the band’s first of nine No. 1 singles and earned six RIAA-certified gold and platinum plaques. Subsequent releases, including Up (2015), Pop Evil (2018), and Versatile (2021), solidified their status externally.
However, under the surface, personal tragedy struck when Kakaty lost his father in 2011, leading to a period of uncertainty about whether he could or even wanted to continue with Pop Evil. The turning point came with the writing of “Waking Lions,” a song Kakaty described as saving his life and reminding him of his purpose, to create music that resonates with and helps others. That mission has fueled every album since, culminating in the latest, What Remains.
Following the success of 2023’s Skeletons, What Remains is the band’s heaviest and most unfiltered album to date. Kakaty, along with guitarists Nick Fuelling and Dave Grahs, bassist Joey “Chicago” Walser, and drummer Blake Allison, delivers a record that is both musically and emotionally intense.
The album opens with the hard-hitting “When Bullets Miss,” a fierce statement punctuated by thunderous drums, searing guitars, and Kakaty’s powerful screams, aimed directly at those who have tried to bring Pop Evil down over the past two decades. The title track seamlessly blends pop-infused melodies with crushing metal instrumentation, emerging as an instant fan favorite.
“Wishful Thinking” boasts an explosive intro and a massive bridge, while “Knife for the Butcher” captivates with a mesmerizing chorus, exploring the internal struggles of trauma and recovery. Rock songs with a unique twist, “Deathwalk” and “Overkill,” delve into Kakaty’s depression, mortality, and legacy, channeling his experiences through a perspective crafted for Pop Evil. Explored through lyrics such as, “We’re all on our death walk- but that doesn’t have to be scary.”
“Side Effects” infuses electronica elements into Pop Evil’s signature rock sound, highlighted by the haunting line, “The side effect is you.” The industrial metal-tinged “Criminal” is filled with powerhouse screams, closing with the defiant proclamation, “You can’t push me around again.”
Meanwhile, “Enough is Enough” delivers relentless energy, driven by soaring vocals and a blistering instrumental bridge. The nu-metal-inspired “Zero to None” rounds out the album with infectious choruses destined to become fan favorites.
Jam-packed with meaning, intensity, and a refusal to back down, What Remains is more than just an album; it’s a statement. Kakaty pushes his songwriting, vocal delivery, and storytelling to new heights, proving that every success Pop Evil has achieved has been hard-earned. What Remains is Kakaty’s story, reflecting the battles he and the band have fought, both in music and in life. As he puts it, “It’s not always going to be written the way you want it to be.” It’s imperfect and unpredictable, but the next page has yet to be written.
With What Remains, Pop Evil delivers an album that will resonate with rock and metal fans alike, whether longtime followers or welcoming new listeners.
Pop Evil, What Remains, is available to order at this location.
