When P.O.D. shaped in San Diego in 1992, the time period ‘nu metallic’ wasn’t but even a whisper within the metallic global. Nevertheless, the band’s mix of hip-hop, punk and metallic made them forerunners in a scene that might dominate the pop-culture panorama.
Regardless of the style’s fall from grace on the flip of the millennium, P.O.D. persisted. Their new album, Veritas, arrives six years after their earlier one, 2008’s When Angels & Serpents Dance, or even with the departure of drummer Wuv Bernardo after virtually 30 years, vocalist Sonny Sandoval says the band are more potent than ever.
The distance between Veritas and its predecessor is the longest between albums in P.O.D.’s historical past. What used to be the grasp up?
We had been a bit bit in the back of the 8 ball on account of covid. A large number of bands once they realised they couldn’t excursion had been like: “Cool, let’s write as an alternative.” However we’re an old-school band, we take a seat in combination in a room and we write information.
What does Veritas say about who P.O.D. are in 2024?
It’s a must to develop and alter – that’s part of existence. We’re no longer those teenage children writing in-your-face ‘that is what I consider’-type songs. However the core will at all times be the similar – P.O.D. comes from a spot of gratefulness and of affection. Our religion in God won’t ever trade.
P.O.D. have at all times embraced collaborations, and this album is not any other. What do you get from running with different artists?
We had been one of the crucial first bands to line up a couple of collaborations on an album, as a result of we’re hip-hop enthusiasts and that’s what they might do. We’ve labored with legends and new ability alike: HR from Dangerous Brains, Eek-A-Mouse!, Tatiana Shmayluk… the record is going on. It displays our range. We will be able to play with the heaviest of bands, or paintings with a reggae legend.
Have been you frustrated at being lumped in with nu metallic, even supposing P.O.D. predate the style?
We’re some of the pioneers on this sport! Each and every time we do a report or play a display, we don’t perceive why we don’t get the similar appreciate as bands who got here later. Other folks would possibly assume we’ve were given those large songs, so it’s all simply cash within the financial institution, however for some reason why we ignored that boat. Our pals are enjoying arenas and feature cash to burn, however right here we’re proving that you’ll do it.
How did it really feel when the style took off?
Once we first began, other folks would have a look at it like: “They’re heavy, however they’re rapping. They will have to be like Frame Rely.” Then the similar factor took place with Rage In opposition to The Device. Then Limp Bizkit comes out and we’re being in comparison to them. ‘Nu metallic’ used to be simply any other identify. Ahead of that it used to be rap rock, or rapcore… We didn’t care as a result of we had been simply doing it. Now we embody it; if any person says: “You’re my favorite nu-metal band”, I’m simply glad to be their favorite [laughs].
Who’s essentially the most sudden P.O.D. fan you’ve ever met?
Just a little like how other folks would possibly suppose we most effective like heavy song, it could possibly move each tactics. We were given invited to play the Latin Grammys with Santana. As we’re strolling as much as carry out, Justin Timberlake had simply given an award, and he sees us and begins making a song Alive. We couldn’t consider it, guy!
Veritas is out now by the use of Mascot.
