Pop Evil | War of Angels

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by Chris A.
Staff Writer

High-energy, great hooks, loud guitars all wrapped up with a confident attitude is an accurate description of Pop Evil, a quintet of vintage rock/metal inspired fans who formed a band in the boonies of the American mid-west. Released in July, 2011, their new album, War of Angels mirrors the above mentioned attributes of the band.

Based in the great lake state of Michigan near Grand Rapids, since 2008 Pop Evil have been crisscrossing America in their custom Prevost tour bus playing as often as they can. From large venues to small clubs, no matter the size of the audience, Pop Evil refuse to play at less than 100 percent. Mailing in a performance just isn’t an option for this veteran touring machine. Their objective is similar to most bands; turn people onto their music, build a fan base and earn a living. It’s a mission easier said than done but Pop Evil have a some advantages — talent, fan-friendly members and a quality product.

In the midst of non-stop touring the band managed to record its second studio album. Released in July 2011, War of Angels showcases the significant and growing talents of Pop Evil as a band and specifically Leigh Kakaty’s emergence as a top-tier rock vocalist. With incredible strength and power, Kakaty demonstrates a superb vocal range setting the tone for each tune with his vocal dynamics. Couple that with his performance showmanship and his ability to pull off live what he can do in a studio and he’s reminiscent of Queen front-man Freddy Mercury. The guy can sing, he’s engaging, he interacts with fans during the gig and has complete command of the stage.

War of Angels is a perfect compliment to the intent of the “Pop Evil” name. The album features catchy hooks and has an occasional “Def Leppard-y pop feel” but equally, the album grows with “evil” Pantera and classic metal-inspired licks crafted by guitarists Tony Greve and Dave Grahs. While the vocals are great, these rock and groove-metal riffs are the engine upon which propels the Pop Evil train forward. Make no mistake, this band rocks and rocks hard especially live. You don’t get to open for Judas Priest if you’re not a legitimate rock band. Assisting the guitar-slingers and providing a solid foundation and steady tracks for the Pop Evil train are Matt DiRito and Dylan Allison, on bass and drums respectively. (Currently Allison is off the road recovering from neck surgery. Filling in on drums for the past few months has been Josh Marunde, an energetic drummer who has proved a good fit for the band.)

Together, these five guys become Pop Evil and the synergy they produce live is invigorating, powerful and incredibly entertaining. War of Angels offers a dozen new cuts and absolutely something on this disc is sure to catch your attention. While hardcore headbangers will undoubtedly bemoan the disc’s softer cuts, the contents of the album are going to satisfy the vast majority of rock music fans, while being reasonably radio friendly. If the plan was to create an album that would appeal to a wide swatch of rock n roll lovers, War of Angels should be a home run.

A few of the cuts that stand out include:

Last Man Standing: This song attacks you right from the start, Kakaty’s voice commands attention. It’s a driving tune that fits perfectly as a sports anthem. It will have you banging your head and feeling invincible too. No wonder the NHL loves this song!
Epitaph: Frenetic, aggressive, it’s do or die, it’s you against the world. If you like a it hard and fast the groove-metal riffs of this song will make your day.

Monster You Made: As far as ballads go, Pop Evil knows how to integrate them into an album and into a live performance without diminishing the overall energy of the presentation. Kakaty demonstrates his soaring vocal capabilities while the band moves into a slower-paced, emotional musical presentation in “Monster”.

Daisy Chain: A straight out party song, a down and dirty bluesy rocker that reminds you that you’re listening to a real rock n’ roll band.

Overall, War of Angels is a solid rock album filled with quality songs. The diversity of the cuts on the album are fresh and is evidence that Pop Evil is a band willing to go beyond just playing three chords in a Drop “D” tuning and turning it up to 10. The most critical listener should appreciate that the album’s cuts are thoughtful quality tunes, not simply filler material to surround a couple hot tracks. Give War of Angels a spin and there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself a Pop Evil fan. Catch them live and you’ll be blown away by the enthusiasm and energy of the band.

Genre: AOR

Track Listing:
1. Last Man Standing
2. Epitaph
3. Broken and Betrayed
4. Monster You Made
5. Let it Go
6. Boss’s Daughter
7. Daisy Chain
8. Purple
9. Black & Blue
10. Next Life
11. Save the World

Label: Entertainment on Disc

Web: www.popevil.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.9