EVIL ELVIS – Evilest Elvis (2025)

Evil Elvis is back in 2026 with his new album Atomic Psycho, but you can get a taste of the new tunes on his new compilation:  Evilest Elvis!  KC Carlisle is a Toronto psychobilly artist who has a reputation for a hot live show, great musicianship, and horror-inspired lyrics.  The tunes range from punky spunk to loungy rock.

 

 

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The songs:

“Cat Woman” from 2017’s Undead Or Alive:  The rambunctious chorus of “Here, kitty kitty” will keep you rocking while that bassline keeps things moving!

“Zombified” from 2001’s Evil Elvis:  Now we’re on a slow nocturnal groove, perfect for those spooky nights.  This smooth, smoky tune has an intoxicating quality.

“Evil Love” – new song from 2026’s Atomic Psycho:  The master of the drum, Cleave Anderson from Blue Rodeo, makes his Evil Elvis debut here.  It is incredible to think that this veteran drummer from one of my favourite bands is now burning down the house with Evil Elvis.  On this one, EE channels the original Elvis a bit on the chorus, but in ways the King could never have foreseen.  “I’ll kill your fuckin’ parents and make it look like suicide!” he growls.  “Evil Love” indeed!  Cleave absolutely proves his punk rock mettle here.  A promising song.

“Too Fast For You” – a 2015 single that ended up on Undead Or Alive, is a personal favourite.  There’s an Alice Cooper vibe here, of the Detroit variety.

“Surfin’ To Hell” – from 2011’s Tattoo’d Fuckwit.  This adds surf rock sounds to the repertoire.    The guitar solo is manic panic fun.

That concludes “Side Eh” of the album, and on to “Side B”:

“My Evil” from 2017’s Undead Or Alive:  A jaunty number with organ and a shuffle beat.  This impressive song has lush backing vocals, on a chorus that reminds me a little bit of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Possibly the best track on the album and a song which deserved to be a hit somewhere somehow!  “GO!”

“I Wanna Wed (The Undead)” is a funny title, from 2001’s Evil Elvis.  This has the most traditional rock and roll sounds, like something out of a 1950’s graveyard.  Just pure fun, with a Halloween dance party vibe.

“Wolf Woman” – from 2006’s Viva Las Vampire:  If you have a thing for a woman with body hair, you will probably love this ode to werewolf love!

“Heavenly Body (From Outer Space)” is the second of the new songs to come from 2026’s Atomic Psycho.  The bassline plays a bit of the Twilight Zone theme before Cleave rings the band in with a thumping beat.  We’re off to space this time!  The backing vocals provide a the hooks on the chorus.  Once again, the musicianship and singing are really top notch here.  The guitar solo is way fun!

“Let’s Make Sin” from 2011’s Tattoo’d Fuckwit:  “Come on baby, let the sinnin’ begin!”  Vampire love is fun way to end the album.  But wait!!

There’s more!  Two “XXXtra Tracks” bring the total track count to 12.

“Backseat Love” – from 2017’s Undead Or Alive.  A fun duet with one foot in the 1950s and the other in the grave!

“Hey Space Girl!” – from 2001’s Evil Elvis.  The roughest, most garage-y song on the album.  An ode to a woman from Mars that’s here to stay.  “Hey space girl, wanna see my laser gun?”

This album was dedicated to photographer Ron Boudreau, a staple of the Toronto scene who took pictures of many of the bands I loved.  Rest in peace Ron.

4/5 stars