Album Review: Pop Evil, What Remains

Written By James Magill, OOTB Publications

As I sat in my car, ready to dive into Pop Evil's What Remains for this review, I couldn't help but ask myself: When was the last time I actually listened to an entire album from start to finish?

In this age of streaming and AI-curated playlists, my music habits have shifted—over the past two years, about 95% of my music consumption has been dictated by Spotify's AI DJ X.

But today, I had a 40-minute commute ahead of me, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to tune in and just listen. And let me tell you, I cranked it up.

Pop Evil is back with their eighth full-length studio album, What Remains (MNRK Music Group). This is no small return. This album is unapologetically metal; packed with screeching vocals, pounding drumbeats, and a diverse range of riffs.

I’ll be honest—when I think of Pop Evil, the first track that comes to mind is from their debut album: a soulful rock ballad called “100 in a 55.” The contrast between that track and the intensity of What Remains is nothing short of striking. Where that song took its time to build, this album delivers ten tracks of raw, high-octane energy.

It’s the kind of album that begs to be blasted at full volume with the windows down, ready to share the noise with everyone in your vicinity.

The album kicks off with “When Bullets Miss,” a track that feels like a defiant message to the band's critics and detractors, daring them to take a shot. It’s got that punchy, aggressive edge that sets the tone for the entire album.

Then we get to the title track, “What Remains,” which is nothing short of anthemic. The melodic chorus is complemented by an electronica-metal twist, making it a track that jams just as hard as it resonates.

But where What Remains really grabbed my attention was in the back half of the album. Tracks like “Knife for the Butcher” had me nodding along, totally lost in the rhythm. It’s easily my favorite on the album—raw, relentless, and unforgettable.

And then there's “Overkill,” the final track. It’s introspective in a way that balances the album’s heavier moments, closing the journey with a reflective, almost somber tone.

In summary, What Remains is a solid album—one or two standout tracks that’ll stick with you, along with a lot of bangers worth revisiting. I would absolutely listen to it again, and I’d share it with a friend without hesitation.

The drummer on this album deserves serious credit—the drum tracks throughout are insane, and you can almost feel the physical strain from the intensity.

If I had one small critique, it’s that I miss the unaltered vocals from earlier albums. Every song here seems to have some sort of vocal effect that alters the natural sound, which may turn off fans who prefer the band’s earlier, raw vocal style. Nonetheless, What Remains is definitely worth a listen.

Rating

3.9/5

Pre-Order Album

https://store.popevil.com

Tour Dates

https://www.livenation.com/artist/

Pop Evil is:

Leigh Kakaty – lead vocals

Dave Grahs – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Nick Fuelling – lead guitar, backing vocals

Joey "Chicago" Walser - bass

Blake Allison – drums