ALT BLK ERA release Rock / Drum & Bass crossover dancefloor filler ahead of album release

Photo Credit: A. Vassell

ALT BLK ERA kick off 2025 at full throttle with their huge rock / drum & bass crossover single 'Run Rabit'. This guaranteed dancefloor filler is the fifth and final single to be released ahead of their highly anticipated debut album Rave Immortal, out 24th January 2025 via Earache Records.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/5y1JGMN_MJc

Pre-order Rave Immortal here: earache.com/altblkera

Vocalist Nyrobi comments: "'Run Rabbit' is about the consequence of causing complete havoc on a night out and having to make a run for it after upsetting the neighbours with our loud music. Again it follows the story of my disability, where, after being limited for so many years I just wanted to feel the adrenaline rush. It captures the feeling of the chase and how being close to danger is another way we get to feel alive".

Catch ALT BLK ERA at one of their headline shows or album in-store appeareances this month:

Jan 24: Bristol, Rough Trade  
Jan 25: Nottingham, Saltbox (full show)
Jan 27: Liverpool, Rough Trade
Jan 28: Oxford, Truck
Jan 29: Brighton, Resident
Jan 30: Kingston, Pryzm x (full show)

Tickets:  linktr.ee/altblkera.instore

ALT BLK ERA have announced their Rave Immortal UK headline tour throughout April 2025.

Dates: 

15 Apr: Manchester, The Deaf Institute
16 Apr: Leeds, The Key Club
18 Apr: Sheffield, Corporation
20 Apr: Birmingham, The Flapper
21 Apr: Southampton, Heartbreakers
23 Apr: London, The Underworld

Tickets: https://www.altblkera.com/live

Within just a year ALT BLK ERA have established themselves as one of the most unique and exciting new alternative acts today, winning over audiences at major festivals including Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, and opening for artists such as Tom Morello, Lord Of The Lost and many more. Their highly acclaimed debut EP Freak Show accelerated their meteoric rise, earning them nominations in both the 2024 MOBO and Heavy Music Awards. The album announcement comes after their triumphant set at Download Festival, where Metal Hammer magazine described them as one the bands that defined this year’s event.

As two alternative people who understand living life outside of the edge of social norms,ALT BLK ERA have created a wonderful safe space and a community for alts and their allies. This ethos has earned them a loyal and diverse following, who see no barriers and boundaries musically and socially. 

This safe space has allowed the girls to open up even more onRave Immortal, which among its themes around diversity and inclusion, centres aroundNyrobicoming to terms with a disabling illness, and the support she received fromChaya. From pain and struggle to newfound strength and unconditional love, this is a story that will resonate with anyone who has faced barriers, and is an inspiration overcome them and to be yourself no matter what.

OnRave Immortal,Nyrobicomments:"You might not notice on a first listen that this album is about my hidden disability that is a result of chronic illness that took hold during my teens and left me bed-ridden for years. I take the listener through the shadows and share the pain of abandonment I felt, and the solace that I found in my younger sister's unwavering support.

"This part of the album is so painful for me and at the same time it feels beautiful because it shows my sister by my side, every step of the way; through each emotion and every story. I wouldn’t have been brave enough to share this part of me without
Chayaand the track 'Come On Outside' is a beautiful reflection of her.

"But we don’t stop there! The album then captures the defiant energy that grew within us, as I became more able. The songs show us crashing through the imposed barriers and boldly claiming spaces that we were once excluded from. As the songs transition into a dreamscape, they delve into the exploration of relationships; the clash of personalities when fitting into a new friendship group and the dangerous mind of an infatuated person who is scarred by illness and years of isolation.

The rebellion then builds as we begin to host wild celebrations, fiercely defending our joy after so many years of imposed restriction. The final tracks turn the tide, transforming our pursuit of freedom into an exhilarating hunt, where those who once stifled our spirit are drawn into our eternal dance of liberation, freeing them from all worldly constraints."


Chayacontinues:"This album starts as a deeply personal story of the physical and emotional pain that my sister went through when she first became ill. I was about twelve at that time. It was during the pandemic so it was a time of worry and isolation for me also but asNyrobislowly became more able to communicate, we spent every minute that she was awake together. I would sit in her room and contribute to her creations whilst she wrote song after song after song. From my more introverted perspective, the calmer songs reflect my nature, so 'Straight To Heart', 'Come On Outside' and 'Run Rabbit'. However,  I’ll ride-or-die for my big sis, so when it’s time to be defiant or to be rebellious, or when it’s time to scream, I’m right there too. This is what the album is about for me - our bond, that also respects who we are as individuals."
 
ALT BLK ERA are:
Nyrobi - vocals
Chaya - vocals

ALT BLK ERA online:
Instagram ||TikTok

Rave Immortal tracklist: 

01. Straight To Heart
02. Come On Outside
03. Crashing Parties
04. My Drummer’s Girlfriend
05. Hunt You Down
06. Upstairs Neighbours
07. Come Fight Me For It
08. Run Rabbit
09. Catch Me If You Can
10. Rave Immortal 

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Swedish power metal troupe Majestica reveal new single

Swedish power metal champions Majestica invite fans to embark on an electrifying journey with their second single, 'A Story In The Night,' from their highly anticipated album, Power Train, set for release on 7th February 2025.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/dP08ex8nbKE

Listen to the song on all platforms: https://majestica.bfan.link/story-in-the-night

Pre-order/pre-save Power Train here: https://majestica.bfan.link/powertrain-album

A blistering showcase of speed, melody, and storytelling, 'A Story In The Night' is a power metal anthem that captures the heart-pounding essence of the genre. The track, clocking in as one of Majestica’s most dynamic works to date, is accompanied by an epic music video that brings the song's vivid narrative to life with striking visuals and cinematic flair. 

Frontman Tommy Johansson comments:

”Fast, extreme, melodic and fast - 4 words that really describe the new single ’A Story In The Night’ perfectly. The fastest song on the new album, filled with guitar solos, glorious melodies and epic power metal vocals that tell a tragic story…in the night.”

When it came to the process of recording and putting all the pieces together, the band did not change a lot compared to their last projects. Again the music was written, recorded, and produced by Majestica themselves. "Like our previous albums this one is also produced by ourselves, and we recorded most parts in our new place Majestic Studios. For mixing we went back to Jonas Kjellgren as we have been very happy with the sound of ’A Christmas Carol’ and ’Metal United'", says bassist Chris Davidsson. Regarding the amazing artwork for Power TrainChris explains: "For the artwork we teamed up with Jan Yrlund / Darkgrove design. It invites you to join this majepic ride of the Power Train, imagine standing there on the platform eagerly waiting, and you hear "all aboard"!".

Majestica are:
Tommy Johansson | guitars, vocals
Petter Hjerpe | guitars
Chris David | bass
Joel Kollberg | drums

Majestica online:

https://majesticametal.com
https://www.facebook.com/Majesticametal
https://www.instagram.com/majesticametal
https://x.com/MajesticaMetal

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The Hellacopters release new single 'Do You Feel Normal'

Kicking off 2025 with a bang, high-energy rock'n'roll royalty, The Hellacopters, have released another smashing single from their upcoming new studio album Overdriver, which is due on 31st January via Nuclear Blast Records.

'Do You Feel Normal' is one of the most captivating and uplifting songs on the album despite its lyrical themes, which deal with alienation and solitude. 

The Hellacopters have written many hits in their career, and this one easily belongs in the top tier. Its enticing lead melody and chorus could become your first addiction in 2025.

Listen to the new single here: https://hellacopters.bfan.link/dyfnsg

The sharp looking music video for 'Do You Feel Normal' was shot at the beautiful historic amusement park Gröna Lund in Stockholm, Sweden, which first opened its gates in 1883. It was directed by Johan Bååth and you can watch the clip here: https://youtu.be/AlQ5XwmKdls

Pre-save and pre-order the new album, Overdriver, here: https://hellacopters.bfan.link/odlp

AVAILABLE FORMATS:

- Ltd Edition Digipak CD /w Patch & 2 Bonus Tracks * (3.500)

- Ltd. Deluxe LP (Apricot & Black Marbled)
  + Bonus Maxi 12'' * (via NB Mailorder & band store US) (1.200)

- Ltd. Deluxe LP (Magenta Transparent)
  + Bonus Maxi 12'' * (only via band store EU) (1.000)

       * Bonus Tracks: Wild Night (Van Morrison Cover), What's Going On? (Al Stewart Cover)

- Black LP (unlimited)
- Brick Red LP (unlimited)
- Apricot + Purple Black Splatter LP (1.500)
- Apricot LP (only in Nordic countries) (1.000)
- Yellow Transparent LP (only in Sweden) (1.000)
- Oxblood LP (via Sound Pollution) (500)
- Red Gold LP (via Sweden Rock) (500)
- Picture LP (only via band) (1.000)

- Cassette (only via band) (200)

- CD Jewelcase

- Digital Album

ABOUT THE HELLACOPTERS
Less than three years after their triumphant, chart-storming comeback record, Eyes Of Oblivion, which entered on #1 in their home country, on #3 in Germany, and on #6 in Finland, Sweden's most consistently great rock outfit is back with another banger of an album called Overdriver, due out on January 31st, 2025.

In the meantime, THE HELLACOPTERS have celebrated their triumphant return by playing a show with the mighty Iron Maiden in Gothenburg in July 2022, and gigs with Ghost in Germany in June 2023, apart from their own string of headline shows throughout Europe. Eager to keep the rock flowing, February 16th, 2024 saw THE HELLACOPTERS release not one, but two stunning versions of their classic Grande Rock album, which was originally released in 1999. Grande Rock Revisited included a remastered original version and a remixed and partially re-recorded version as a companion piece, showing how the album could have sounded in a parallel universe with guitarist Dregen being in the band at the time. After making rock grande again, the group set sights on new material, debuting the phenomenal single 'Stay With You'  in May 2024 and releasing it as limited 7inch via Lightning Records.

Their ninth full-length Overdriver was recorded at Strawberry Studio & The Honk Palace and is the first THE HELLACOPTERS album entirely produced by Nicke Andersson. As you might expect from a THE HELLACOPTERS album it's filled to the brim with roaring guitars and earth-shattering grooves, fist-raising energy and anthemic choruses, while keeping the variety richer than ever before. The striking cover for Overdriver was created by German illustrator Max Löffler.

For more:
https://www.facebook.com/thehellacopters
https://www.instagram.com/thehellacopters
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCXYfoQipr6Unnyb-WKbkjw
https://linktr.ee/thehellacopters

Overdriver tracklisting:

1    Token Apologies    03:21
2    Don't Let Me Bring You Down    03:15
3    (I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory    03:23
4    Wrong Face On    02:57
5    Soldier On    04:15
6    Doomsday Daydreams    03:13
7    Faraway Looks    02:52
8    Coming Down    03:53
9    Do You Feel Normal    03:35
10    The Stench    03:56
11    Leave A Mark    05:21

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Smash Into Pieces release new single 'Heroes'

Photo Credit: John Gyllhamn

Swedish rockers Smash Into Pieces have unveiled their new single 'Heroes' - their version of Eurovision 2015's winning entry by Måns Zelmerlöw

Stream here: orcd.co/smashintopiecesheroes

Smash Into Pieces' guitarist Per Bergquist comments: "We loved 'Heroes' when it was released, so it's an honor to create our own interpretation of the song! Our sound is quite different compared to Måns, but 'Heroes' is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and we've brought out the wolf".

The new track follows their previous chart-topping singles, including 'Six Feet Under' and 'Heroes Are Calling.' Both songs have seen significant streaming numbers, with 'Six Feet Under' earning double Platinum status and 'Heroes Are Calling' achieving Gold within weeks of its release.

​Known for their distinctive futuristic and apocalyptic aesthetic, Smash Into Pieces have also gained recognition for their cinematic mini-series 'ARCADIA WORLD,' which explores a parallel virtual reality. Their live performances are marked by powerful choruses and an energetic presence, drawing audiences into what has been described as a "digital cybertronic circus".

​With over a billion streams and views, the band have established a strong global presence. In 2022, they supported Evanescence and Within Temptation on the Worlds Collide Tour, further expanding their reach. 2023 saw Smash Into Pieces achieve a new milestone when 'Six Feet Under' placed #3 in the Swedish Eurovision competition. This was followed by a busy touring schedule across Europe and the US, with a total of over 150 live shows throughout the year.

​2024 began on a high note as the band once again competed in Swedish Eurovision, where they reached #3 in the grand final, and their single topped Swedish radio charts for four weeks. The band ended their year with their sold-out UK headline tour, supported by From Fall To Spring, including London's Electric Ballroom.

For more information:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vhrwzjf9H3icunkVFi9tq?si=WcGyc23hQoKl8JkY2s-XCw&nd=1&dlsi=b65b2cd54c954fca
https://www.instagram.com/smashintopiecesofficial
https://www.facebook.com/SmashIntoPieces
https://www.tiktok.com/@smashintopiecesofficial

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THROATCUT. release new track and video 'creep'

Newly signed band THROATCUT. have released their new single and video 'creep.'

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/-fhg_5YGRnI

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/creep


Packed with atmospheric intensity and powerful lyrics, "creep." weaves a narrative of self-reflection and resilience, all wrapped in THROATCUT.'s signature blend of crushing riffs and emotive melodies. The single stands as a testament to the band's ability to confront heavy emotional themes while delivering an unforgettable sonic experience.

'creep.' is about the voice, or rather the person in your head, that lurks in the shadows and constantly follows you,” the band explain. “It criticizes you, makes you doubt yourself, and tries to take control. But instead of ignoring it, the song emphasizes the importance of awareness and acceptance. Reflecting on yourself and co-existing with this voice can help make it quieter."

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Industrial noise pop trio Tayne stream new single 'Scars'; Free tattoos at album launch

Photo Credit: Eivind Hansen

Dublin born, London based Tayne announce their debut album ‘Love', to be released 31st January 2025 (MNRK / Inside Job), with the release of ‘Scars’, splicing together Lady Gaga pop with a ‘terminator judgment day’ inspired percussive thud of destruction.

Watch the video to 'Scars' here: https://youtu.be/ky0D6js-E4s

Pre-order Love here: https://insidejob.lnk.to/TayneLOVE

“Thematically revealing, honest and being open” explains Tayne frontman Matt Sutton, “It's about allowing yourself to be vulnerable, showing your intimacy and not letting your baggage drag you down." 

As part of the launch, Tayne will be offering 20 Tayne tattoos to fans to be tattooed by the bands frontman who’s a resident at Kings Cross’ acclaimed tattoo shop Sacred Gold as well as Album Release party at Camden’s Home of Heavy Metal, The Black Heart, on Wednesday 5th February.

‘Scars’ is co-produced by Tayne & longtime collaborator Wayne Adams (Green Lung, Pet Brick), one of a number of collaborations with artists as diverse as Jesu, Cage Fight, Rolo Tomassi, Mastiff, Katie Kim & Poisonous Birds with Tayne supporting the likes of HEALTH, Author & Punisher and The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato.

Tayne have been announced for 2000 Trees & ArcTanGent festivals alongside fellow countrymen Kneecap, Taking Back Sunday, Rolo Tomassi, The Melvins, Between The Buried And Me, The Fall of Troy & more

Live dates:
Wed 5th February: Album Release Party at The Black Heart, London
29 - 30th May 2025: Supersonic Bloc Party, Paris, FR
9 - 12th July: 2000 Trees, Cheltneham
13 - 16th August 2025: ArcTanGent Festival, Bristol

Tayne are: 
Matthew Sutton (vocals / bass)
Tom Hancock (guitar)
Paul Traveller (drums)

Tayne online:
https://www.youtube.com/@tayneband
https://www.instagram.com/tayneband
https://x.com/TayneBand
https://www.tiktok.com/@tayneband
https://www.facebook.com/tayneband
http://www.mnrkheavy.com

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Multinational blues-rock institution Ellis Mano Band streams new single 'Count Me In'

Photo Credit: Tabea Hüberli

Multinational blues-rock institution Ellis Mano Band have released their new single 'Count Me In', taken from their new album MORPH, set for release on 21st February 2025 via SPV.

Watch the lyric video for 'Count Me In' here: https://youtu.be/7h8JU8sqqH4

Pre-order MORPH here: https://ellismanoband.lnk.to/morph

'Count Me In' is a powerful rock track that instantly grabs your attention with its mix of heart and energy. "The song combines the raw energy of Heartland Rock with a vocal style reminiscent of David Bowie’s expressive power," says the band. "It’s about love – or maybe it’s not – and the choices we make as we search for our way in life. With its catchy melody and sing-along potential, this song is an invitation to embrace the moment and live life to the fullest. For those ready to dive in completely: Count us in."

With MORPH, the Ellis Mano Band present a multi-faceted, coherent opus. “It is more than just an album for us - it's our next big step, our musical diploma,“ say the band. With songs like the epic ‘Countdown To Nothing’ and the powerful anthem 'For All I Care,'  the band invite their listeners to join in on an intense journey through the evolution of our sound. MORPH represents change and growth – a transformation reflected in every track. Energized riffs meet unexpected, quiet moments, creating a listening experience full of tension and depth. The artwork by Canadian album design legend Hugh Syme (Rush, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi…) perfectly captures this essence and symbolizes the spirit of MORPH. "We are excited to share these new sonic worlds with our fans, both on record and live!” 

With several top 2 rankings in the Swiss album charts and excellent reactions from critics, the Ellis Mano Band continue on their path and will keep on delivering music at its best - timeless and 100% handmade.

On the single, the band comment: "‘Stray’ is a song that speaks deeply from the heart – inspired by all the dogs that remain unwaveringly loyal despite disappointment and pain. Chris Ellis, our singer, who has adopted street dogs himself, wanted to tell the story of an animal that continually seeks love but is left alone time and again. ‘Stray’ shows what true, unconditional loyalty means and reminds us that everyone deserves a home. It’s a musical call to give these strays a second chance." 

The video for the single was created in cooperation with VETO, the association of European animal welfare organisations. The non-profit limited company, which is committed to the welfare of shelter and street animals, provided the Ellis Mano Band with the film material used for the music clip.

The first public airing of Ellis Mano Band’s fourth album MORPH was performed during their support slot to rock legends Deep Purple, on their German tour in July 2024. The record features eleven tracks, including ‘For All I Care’, which was one of the highlights in their set supporting the British rock legends. Powerful and characterised by tempo changes, it is a contemporary, modernised homage to the essence of classic rock from the late 1960s to the end of the 1970s. A quiet acoustic interlude is thrown in for good measure. A definite nod to the unforgotten Old School. Compositional sophistication, variety and incredible playing are the hallmarks of the Anglo-American sound of the Ellis Mano Band. So it was only logical to engage a global great for the cover art. The cartridge with the broken tip and flowers growing in ist case was realised by Canadian album design legend Hugh Syme (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Rush and many more). The music is just as impressive. It shows how the Ellis Mano Band continue their development in line with the album title.

Legendary artwork designer Hugh Syme comments: "I have always been motivated and inspired to bring a compelling, and (usually) improbable visual solution to those album covers I create for bands whose music, composition, performance and production I truly respect. Such is the case with the Ellis Mano Band. Thank you to Thomas Hammerl for bringing us together! All the best with the launch of the new 'MORPH' album project."

Ellis Mano Band are:
Chris Ellis - Vocals
Edis Mano - Guitars
Severin Graf - Bass
Nico Looser - Drums
Lukas Bosshardt - Keys

Ellis Mano Band online:
https://www.ellismanoband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EllisManoBand
https://www.instagram.com/ellismanoband
https://www.youtube.com/@EllisManoBand

Track list:

1 Virtually Love
2 Count Me In
3 20 Years
4 For All I Care
5 Scars
6 Madness And Tears
7 Ballroom
8 Stray
9 Countdown To Nothing
10 State Of Grace
11 The Fight For Peace (Live)

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Cytotoxin unleash new single 'Condemnesia'

Photo Credit: Mrs.CONTRAst

After the release of their fourth full-length record Nuklearth in 2020, the nuclear quintet Cytotoxin strikes back with their second standalone single 'Condemnesia'. The band continue their blast of a musical and lyrical concept, tackling the catastrophic incident at the Chernobyl power plant in 1986.

Watch 'Condemnesia' here: https://youtu.be/4stPeEBp6e0

Listen to 'Condemnesia' here: https://cytotoxin.bfan.link/condemnesia

With this second standalone single, Cytotoxin underline their instrumental skills, as well as vocal variety, and demonstrates that technical death metal can indeed be melodic and catchy. 'Condemnesia' sheds light on the victims of the Chernobyl incident, who suffered from acute radiation sickness and describes the desperate and hopeless situation for affected individuals and physicians in the Soviet hospitals.

Cytotoxin have recently announced brand new EU/UK tour dates for April and May this year. A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.

Cytotoxin EU/UK dates:
10/04/25 Berlin, DE
11/04/25 Magdeburg, DE
12/04/25 Chemnitz, DE
13/04/25 Hamburg, DE
14/04/25 Hannover, DE
15/04/25 Essen, DE
16/04/25 Chaleroi, BE
17/04/25 Paris, FR
18/04/25 Strasbourg, FR
19/04/25 Aalen, DE
20/04/25 Lindau, DE
21/04/25 Weinheim, DE
24/05/25 Manchester, UK

On the night of 26th April, 1986  an explosion at the Chernobyl power plant changed the course of the world.

Inspired by this catastrophe, the German death metal band Cytotoxin emerged in 2010, bringing a new level of intensity to the genre. By fusing technical and brutal riffs while thematizing the devastating effects of the reactor disaster, they quickly drew attention in the scene. Their debut album, Plutonium Heaven (2011), was a self-produced powerhouse, followed by their second record, Radiophobia (2012), which secured them a three-album deal with American label Unique Leader Records.

Cytotoxin quickly gained a reputation for their explosive live performances and razor-sharp precision on their instruments. Their third album, Gammageddon (2017), solidified their place in the tech death community, while their fourth album, Nuklearth (2020), showcased their versatility and songwriting capabilities. Following numerous European tours and major festival shows, Cytotoxin just made their U.S. and Canadian debut in November 2024. Now, they are ready to conquer new territories with their two new singles 'Hope Terminator' and 'Condemnesia' in hand.

Keep your gas mask ready, as the radiation spreads across the globe!

Cytotoxin are:
Vocals - Sebastian „Grimo“ Grihm
Guitar - Fabrice „Fonzo“ Töpfer
Guitar - Jason „Mathias“ Melidonie
Bass - Vitalis „V.T.“ Kast
Drums - Maximilian Panzer

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/Cytotoxinmetal
https://www.instagram.com/cytotoxin.official/
https://www.youtube.com/@CYTOTOXINOFFICIAL
https://www.tiktok.com/@cytotoxin.official
https://t.me/CYTOTOXINOFFICIAL

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Pop Evil share dark new single / video 'Wishful Thinking'

Photo Credit: Nick Fancher

Modern rock powerhouse Pop Evil follow their scorching singles 'What Remains' and 'Deathwalk' with a new, dark track 'Wishful Thinking', along with cinematic music video, via MNRK Heavy

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/UpLkY4zJoaA

The band comments on the track: "'Wishful Thinking' pushes us into a realm that's deeper, darker, and more intense than ever before."

The six-time RIAA gold-certified band are gearing up for their forthcoming eighth studio album What Remains, which is set for release 21st March, 2025.

For two decades, Pop Evil frontman Leigh Kataky has needed to mine the deepest of reserves in order to drag the band up from the blue-collar grassroots of his local Michigan scene to stand proud at the top of the modern rock game. Soaring successes, bitter defeats… Leigh Kakaty has survived it all.

What Remains is the culmination and story of this journey with Pop Evil, laid bare like never before. Continuing in the recent vein of 2023's acclaimed Skeletons, the new opus is both sonically and thematically Pop Evil's heaviest ever offering; a thundering collection of arena-ready modern rock and metal hits in which Kakaty opens heart, mind, and soul.

"There are a lot of issues and things that I've dealt with in this journey of Pop Evil that I've buried for a long time," the frontman explains of this document of resilience, perseverance, and accountability.

Pop Evil were born in North Muskegon, Michigan in 2001, Kakaty drawing on the lessons of a youth first shaped not by music, but by high school basketball — leadership, team work, the drive to improve in the lonely hours put in at the gym at 5am, the will to win suppressing any fear — in order to fight tooth and nail for their break-out moment.

"I was hustling and learning every day to make my dreams come true," Kakaty recalls of his time playing local bars and slinging early EPs out of the back of his truck. "Studying never interested me. Neither did getting a regular job. A knee injury wrecked my shot at playing sports. Music was all I wanted to do from that moment, and I didn't give myself a backup plan. Pop Evil gave me a purpose, and a reason to get up every day. It became a crusade."

Lipstick on the Mirror, their 2008 debut, and its follow-up, War of Angels, brought acclaim and global attention; 2013's Onyx delivered the first of the band’'s nine No.1 singles and six RIAA-certified gold and platinum plaques, but also a period of darkness brought on by the grief of Kakaty losing his father. "I was completely lost … I had just missed the last five years with my dad, chasing this dream when I could have been with him. I didn’t know if I wanted or could do Pop Evil any more," he says. The band’'s 2017 self-titled album, opened by the smash-hit 'Waking Lions' was written "pretty much to save my life" – but in turn “reminded me of the fire I have inside, and that God put me here to make music that could help people."

It's a mission statement enshrined in Pop Evil to this day — and which provided the spark for the genesis of What Remains.

You're always chasing that one song that can connect with that one person," Kakaty says. "And that process has to start with yourself. There's a lot of personal healing on this record, a lot of things I wanted to get out for my own mental well-being. I'm finally at a place where I can confront my demons."

Sonically, the album is a riotous explosion of life-affirming noise; a vortex of scything riffs and gut-punch drum beats that regularly give way to Pop Evil's hallmark anthemic choruses. 

"We set out to push boundaries” nods Kakaty. "Metal has always been a part of our DNA, but we've never made it such a focal point before. A lot of writing on this record has been about listening to what my soul is saying and letting the songs find their own path, rather than chasing a sound that might fit in on the radio. I think you can really hear the mood and emotion of the album's themes in the music."

Pop Evil online:
www.popevil.com
www.facebook.com/popevil
www.twitter.com/popevil
www.instagram.com/popevil

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