When P.O.D. fashioned in San Diego in 1992, the time period ‘nu metal’ wasn’t but even a whisper within the steel world. Nonetheless, the band’s combination of hip-hop, punk and steel 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. persevered. Their new album, Veritas, arrives six years after their earlier one, 2008’s When Angels & Serpents Dance, and even with the departure of drummer Wuv Bernardo after nearly 30 years, vocalist Sonny Sandoval says the band are stronger than ever.
The hole between Veritas and its predecessor is the longest between albums in P.O.D.’s historical past. What was the maintain up?
We have been somewhat bit behind the eight ball due to covid. A number of bands once they realised they couldn’t tour have been like: “Cool, let’s write as a substitute.” However we’re an old-school band, we sit collectively 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 life. We’re not these teenage youngsters writing in-your-face ‘that is what I imagine’-type songs. However the core will all the time be the identical – P.O.D. comes from a spot of gratefulness and of affection. Our religion in God won’t ever change.
P.O.D. have all the time embraced collaborations, and this album isn’t any totally different. What do you get from working with different artists?
We have been one of many first bands to line up a number of collaborations on an album, as a result of we’re hip-hop followers and that’s what they might do. We’ve labored with legends and new expertise alike: HR from Bad Brains, Eek-A-Mouse!, Tatiana Shmayluk… the listing goes on. It reveals our range. We will play with the heaviest of bands, or work with a reggae legend.
Had been you irritated at being lumped in with nu steel, although P.O.D. predate the style?
We’re among the many pioneers on this recreation! Each time we do a document or play a present, we don’t perceive why we don’t get the identical respect as bands who got here later. Folks may suppose we’ve received these large songs, so it’s all simply cash within the financial institution, however for some purpose we missed that boat. Our buddies are taking part in arenas and have cash to burn, however right here we’re proving that you are able to do it.
How did it really feel when the style took off?
Once we first began, individuals would take a look at it like: “They’re heavy, however they’re rapping. They should be like Physique Depend.” Then the identical factor occurred with Rage Against The Machine. Then Limp Bizkit comes out and we’re being in comparison with them. ‘Nu steel’ was simply one other title. Earlier than that it was rap rock, or rapcore… We didn’t care as a result of we have been simply doing it. Now we embrace it; if somebody says: “You’re my favorite nu-metal band”, I’m simply pleased to be their favorite [laughs].
Who’s probably the most stunning P.O.D. fan you’ve ever met?
A bit like how individuals may assume we solely like heavy music, it may possibly go each methods. We received 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 singing Alive. We couldn’t imagine it, man!
Veritas is out now by way of Mascot.