Waking Lions
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founder | Leigh Kakaty (lead vocalist) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Leigh Kakaty, Nick Fuelling, Dave Grahs, Matt DiRito, Hayley Cramer |
| Products | Music recordings, singles, albums |
Waking Lions is a track by the American rock group Pop Evil, released as the primary single from their fifth studio album, Pop Evil. In March 2018, it achieved the top position on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
Background
In March 2017, lead vocalist Leigh Kakaty crafted "Waking Lions" during individual writing sessions for the band's fifth album, opting to work independently to prevent the creative process from becoming overwhelming for the group. He developed both the lyrics and music prior to sharing it with the rest of the band, who collectively decided it was fitting to serve as the album’s lead single. Although there were initial reservations about early versions of the track, these concerns were alleviated after producer Kato Khandwala delivered a final mix that impressed everyone involved. Kakaty also evaluated responses by showing video recordings of band members, relatives, and friends; their favorable reactions reinforced its suitability as the first release. The positive energy surrounding the song reinvigorated the band’s mindset toward completing the album.
"Waking Lions" was released on October 30, 2017, marking the first appearance of new drummer Hayley Cramer with Pop Evil. The music video features alternating scenes of the band performing and a storyline depicting an individual facing an enigmatic force, emphasizing the song’s intense themes.
Themes and composition
The band aimed for the song to express messages of optimism and empowerment, especially highlighting female empowerment in light of widespread reports of sexism in Hollywood that fueled the MeToo movement. Musically, Loudwire identified it as among Pop Evil’s heaviest singles, combining hard rock with metalcore influences to create a richer and more aggressive sound. Notably, both guitar and vocal parts are executed in Bb tuning—a first for the group.
Personnel
- Leigh Kakaty – lead vocals
- Nick Fuelling – guitar
- Dave Grahs – guitar
- Matt DiRito – bass
- Hayley Cramer – drums
Weekly charts
Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany Rock Airplay (Official German Charts) | 9 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2018) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard) | 78 |