P.O.D. have released “OUTBREAK,” a collaboration with Norma Jean vocalist Cory Brandan that started with a rough guitar demo and its working title. The single arrived September 30, 2026, through Mascot Records, with production by Will Yip. It is the band’s first new original song since their 2024 album VERITAS, accompanied by a zombie apocalypse video directed by J.T. Ibanez.
Guitarist Marcos Curiel sent the initial demo to Sonny Sandoval with “OUTBREAK” already attached as its name. Sandoval immediately responded to its heaviness and texted Curiel to tell him how much he liked it. The riff and a warning sample suggested an apocalyptic setting, giving the singer a direction for the words before he considered changing the title.
“Once I heard it, I knew there was no need to change the title and use it as the lyrical theme,” Sandoval said in a press statement announcing the release.
Curiel connected that premise to the band’s interest in zombie stories, video games and movies. He described the song as moving between fiction and real life, using a familiar horror scenario while leaving room for listeners to connect it to the world around them. Bassist Traa Daniels also drew that connection, saying the apocalyptic theme could relate to current events. Neither musician singled out a particular event in their comments.
The weight of the demo also shaped the decision to invite another singer. Sandoval wanted someone whose voice could meet the intensity he heard in the material, and Brandan had become a familiar presence through the bands’ time on the road.
“This is possibly one of the heaviest songs P.O.D. has ever written, so we wanted to showcase a guest vocalist who reflected that,” Sandoval said.
P.O.D. and Norma Jean toured the United States together in 2024. Although the musicians had known each other before those shows, Sandoval said it was their first tour together and gave them the opportunity to become closer friends. That experience led to the idea of involving Brandan. Sandoval pointed specifically to the Norma Jean singer’s tone and commanding delivery as qualities that suited the song and complemented his own voice.
For Daniels, the recording was also a personal highlight. The bassist described enjoying the studio work and named “OUTBREAK” among his favorite P.O.D. songs. His comments focused on both the experience of making it and the possibilities of its horror theme, while Sandoval emphasized the vocal pairing and Curiel explained the interests behind the concept.
Guest vocalists were also part of VERITAS. Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe appeared on “DROP,” while Jinjer’s Tatiana Shmayluk joined the band for “AFRAID TO DIE.” On “OUTBREAK,” the connection to Brandan developed through a shared tour, with the choice of collaborator following the direction established by Curiel’s demo.
The release arrives ahead of P.O.D.’s October 2 appearance at Aftershock in Sacramento, California. Their remaining 2026 schedule includes shows in the United States, Mexico and Australia.
