Grab your surf board, beach towel, head phones and settle in for another Southern California good time from the boys in Payable on Death aka P.O.D. They just released their 10th studio album on their new label Mascot Records November 16, 2018. This collection of eleven songs features two that were show cased earlier, “Soundboy Killa” and “Rockin with the Best”. P.O.D which consists of Sonny Sandoval on vocals, Wav Bernardo on drums, Marcos Curiel-Lead Guitars and Trace Daniels on Bass have put together a solid grouping of Reggae Infused Alt Rap Metal that is very reminiscent of their previous works. When interviewed they have stated that they wanted to stay true to their selves and their 25 plus year career when making this new disc. This means making relevant songs. They have definitely done that with Circles. The title track “Circles” is a song about the current epidemic of addiction and how society has made it acceptable to use medications to cope.
The album kicks off with “Rockin’ With the Best”. This tune has a swagger that pulls you in right away. Always Southern California, is an homage to the bands roots. “Panic Attack” is a smack in your face jam reminding us how we can get overwhelmed. Track number 6, “Fly Away” is a feel good reggaesque song that really stands out from the rest of the collection. “Listening for Silence” should be checked out as it is the latest video release. The next couple of songs, “Dreaming” and “Dominos” are a continuation of the theme that permeates throughout this record of how people in the world are losing their way and how actions can compound. The album closes with “Home” which is a bit slower than most of the others. This song really reminds us that P.O.D is a Christian band. The metaphor of going home to feel accepted and safe is not lost on the listener.
P.O.D held a record release party on November 20th at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this show as part of their headlining tour with Nonpoint and Islander. Their set was chalk full of tried and true hits as well as a nice blend of new tunes off Circles. P.O.D puts on a great show and involves the crowd with their anthemic sing alongs. Their current tour will end in Destin, FL on December 14th. After that, they will be jumping across the pond for a headlining European tour starting in February 2019.
