P.O.D.
Take hardcore Punk, Alt. Metal, Hip-Hop, a dash of Reggae and blend it with Christian oriented lyrics - that's P.O.D. (Payable On Death). Led by singer Sonny Sandoval, P.O.D. formed in San Diego in '92 with guitarist Marcos Curiel, bassist Traa and drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo. They spent a big chunk of the '90s recording for Rescue Records. The albums "Brown," "Snuff The Punk," "Live" and the "Warriors" EP rolled out.
"Fundamental Elements of Southtown" marked the group's '99 Atlantic Records debut. Next out was "Satellite" in '01 which featured the Alt. Rock hit "Alive." With guitarist Jason Truby in tow, P.O.D. released "Payable On Death" in late '03. The group spent a large part of the next year touring before returning to the studio. The Glen Ballard produced "Testify" was an early '06 release.
P.O.D. completed their seventh studio album, "When Angels & Serpents Dance," in late '07 and it was released the following spring ('08). "(Our label) is excited about the release and has big ideas for us," reported Sandoval, prior to the album's arrival. The disc marked the return of Curiel who left in '03 (last heard on "Satellite").
P.O.D.'s neo-Rap/Metal has been finding its footing on recent releases. Early indie efforts have enough material for one - maybe two great CDs. P.O.D. takes a major leap forward with "Fundamental Elements of Southtown." The hot track from this set is "Rock The Party (Off The Hook)."
On "Satellite" P.O.D. bears down with tighter songs. The pay-off comes on the title track, the hard charging "Youth Of The Nation" and mega-Alt. Rock hit "Alive." "Payable On Death" with the spitting guitar and lashing rhythms is a return to the "Southtown" mode. The opener "Wildfire" lurches with a pent up energy while "Revolution" and "Freedom Fighters" let it loose. For a total change of pace there's the Rap/Reggae "Execute The Sounds." While not as accessible as "Satellite," "Payable On Death" Rocks harder.
By the time "Testify" arrived both Nu Metal and P.O.D. had been around for awhile. There was the desire, or need, to broaden the horizons for both. While "Testify" is not the epic creation it was designed to be, it is a far reaching effort. With Matisyahu, Boo-Yaa and T.R.I.B.E. contributing, P.O.D. expand their use of R&B and Reggae elements, most notably on the hypnotic mid-tempo set opener "Roots In Stereo."
A few years ago, the Grunge "soft verse/loud chorus" became such a cliché that groups were chided for dragging out that shopworn device. The same should happen to the Nu Metal's "Rap verse/sung chorus" motif. "On The Grind" is basically the same old thing. It's done well, but it's been done to death. P.O.D. comes out roaring on "Sounds Like War" and "Let You Down." But they are far more effective on the mid-tempo "Goodbye For Now" and the melodic "If You Could See Me Now."
Curiel's contributions are welcome on "When Angels & Serpents Dance." He shines on "Condescending" playing a Classic Rock riff with all the subtlety it deserves - which is none. His guitar anchors and animates the ballad "It Can't Rain Everyday" (guess P.O.D. has never been to Seattle) and the mid-tempo "Rise Against."
Though the set opens with the hard driving "Addicted" and an upbeat, yet intimate, "Shine With Me," the album is surprisingly low key. Still, P.O.D. gets down and dirty on "Kaliforn-Eye-A" ("California you've been warned") and the title track. The acoustic guitars are pulled out for "Roman Empire," which doesn't do much, and the far superior "Tell Me Why." The electronic noodling on "God Forbid" dissipates Page Hamilton's contribution but Suicidal Tendencies' vocalists Mike Muir has a good turn on "Kaliforn-Eye-A."