The Michigan boys are back with a new album hitting the streets May 14 this their third studio effort, “Onyx“. The quintet’s sophomore album, “War of Angels” was the best hard rock album of 2011. It was instantly addictive and full of memorable tracks. The first single off this one, “Trenches” seems to pick up where the last record left off. So when Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kakaty said the new album “absolutely destroys” the last one and called it “a statement album,” well NECR is pretty excited to review this album.
For anyone familiar with the modern rock scene, Grand Rapids’ Pop Evil needs no introduction. They have toured with bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Trivium, Theory of a Deadman, Killswitch Engage and many more! Their sophomore album “War of Angels” was a massive success with their singles “Monster You Made” and “Boss’s Daughter” hitting #11 and #9 on the billboard charts, respectively. Their back and coming with heavy artillery for the follow-up to that album, “Onyx”. The debut single “Trenches” peaked out at #12 on the billboard charts and is probably one of the heaviest tracks on the album. “Onyx” is a dizzying mix of heavy guitars, gritty vocals, and melody like no other. The last album “War of Angels”, was a great album but it just didn’t have the stay-power that “Lipstick on the Mirror” had. However, this new album is quite the opposite. We were incredibly impressed with it and are honored to be able to review it.
“Goodbye My Friend”: The latest single and opening track to the album, this is by far one of my favorites, but that’s not what this is all about. This track is a perfect blend of aggression & angst. It is also a perfect example of the heavier direction that this band can take, not often do we hear screams from this band. However, about mid-way through, we hear a few from vocalist Leigh Kakaty, which are incredibly impressive. This track appears to be about either a betrayal or falling out and walking away from that person.
“Torn to Pieces”: In the ode to their softer songs like “100 in a 55″ and “Monster You Made” we get a slower, more acoustically driven track. The vocals in this one are beautiful and the lyrics bring tears to your eyes. “I’m torn to pieces, I’m broken down. I still see your face when you’re not around. I sit here in misery, wondering if I’ll ever be, half the man you wanted me to be.” Leigh Kakaty sings with such angst in this song and you can hear every bit of emotion in every part of the song. Instrumentally, it’s melancholy; even the drums are sad and slow.
“Welcome to Reality”: This track is a really fun, heavier track. The lyrics seem to be about living in reality, when all you want to do is to live in fantasy. I can see this one being a crowd favorite, if they ever play it on tour. It’s got a really catchy and infectious chorus, as well as a great song flow and structure.
Final Thoughts: Everything has it’s place on this album and, whether you like it or not, Pop Evil has cemented themselves in history with some of the modern hard rock greats with this album. For not really knowing what to expect, we were incredibly pleased with the outcome of this album and we think they did an incredible job on every part. Pick up your copy of “Onyx” on eOne Music on May 14th and find out for yourself what an amazing ride this album is!
Tour dates
Jun 16
Pop Evil featuring Candlelight Red
Wally’s Pub
Hampton, New Hampshire
Jun 19
SOiL Official – Pop Evil
The Rustic Room
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Jun 20
Pop Evil
The Castle Theatre
Bloomington, Illinois
Jun 23
Pop Evilw/ Candlelight Red & Core
Rookies Bar And Grill
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Jun 27
Hollywood Undead featuring Pop Evil / 3 Pill Morning / All Hail the Ye
The Wilma
Missoula, Montana
Jul 2
HOB 20th Anniv. Presents Hollywood Undead
Skyway Theatre
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jul 3
HOB 20th Anniv. Presents Hollywood Undead
House of Blues – Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Jul 7
HOB 20th Anniv. Presents Hollywood Undead
Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Indianapolis, Indiana
Jul 11
Pop Evil
Victory Theatre
Evansville, Indiana
Jul 12
HOB 20th Anniv. Presents Hollywood Undead
Toyota Presents the Oakdale Theatre
Wallingford, Connecticut
Jul 13
One In The Chamber – Siklid – Pop Evil – Catherine’s X
Headliners
Toledo, Ohio
Jul 13
HOB 20th Anniv. Presents Hollywood Undead
House of Blues – Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Jul 14
HOB 20th Anniv. Presents Hollywood Undead
Paramount Theater
Huntington, New York
Jul 18
Romantic Rebel – Pop Evil – SOiL – Drowning Pool – Wayland – Nonpoint – Beyond Threshold – THE LAST VEGAS – Trippin Molly
Winnebago County Fairgrounds
Pecatonica, Illinois
Jul 21
Drowning Pool & Pop Evil
Pop’s Nightclub
East Saint Louis, Illinois
Jul 28
100.3 The X Presents: Pop Evil
Knitting Factory Concert House
Boise, Idaho
Jul 30
Pop Evil & Drowning Pool
In the Venue
Salt Lake City, Utah
Aug 1
Pop Evil with Drowning Pool / Gemini Syndrome / Era 9
The Black Sheep
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Aug 2
Pop Evil with Drowning Pool / Gemini Syndrome / Era 9
Summit Music Hall
Denver, Colorado
Aug 10
Dirt Fest 2013
Birch Run Expo Center
Birch Run, Michigan
