Feeling so “Alive,” Nu Metal/Rap Rock veterans P.O.D. return on Friday, November 16, 2018, dropping their new album, Circles, via Mascot Label Group. Back for the first time since 2015’s The Awakening, P.O.D.’s tight unit of Vocalist Sonny Sandoval, Guitarist Marcos Curiel, Bassist Traa Daniels, along with Drummer Wuv Bernardo have stuck together for over twenty-five years and their tenth studio album plans to keep their bond going strong well into the future.
Passionate for music, P.O.D. has fearlessly led a legion of fans into a world of positive vibes through flavorful music. A Grammy nominated, platinum-selling act, P.O.D. entrenched their Christian beliefs into inspiring hits like “Youth Of The Nation” and “Satellite.” Rock fans who grew up in the early 2000’s will recall P.O.D.’s music chock-full of moxie, pungent tones, and lyrics that really meant something. That said, P.O.D. delivered some memorable moments a generation of Rock fans are still drawn to in 2018.
For those who may have lost track of P.O.D., this band of brothers never stopped rocking after the Nu Metal age was pushed underground in the mid-2000’s. As mainstream music shifted towards Emo and Pop, P.O.D. continued making music on their own terms. Over the last few years alone, P.O.D. has played to thousands of loyal fans at major events like the Download Festival, Rock on the Range, and Carolina Rebellion. Respected by their peers, P.O.D. has shared stages with some of today’s hottest bands like Five Finger Death Punch, Shinedown, and Prophets of Rage.
Proud of their accomplishments, P.O.D. are hyped to celebrate the release of their tenth studio album, Circles, kicking-off the first track “Rockin’ With The Best” fittingly via the lyric “Let Us Begin.” Coming out swinging, this perfect opener serves as a reminder of who P.O.D. really are and lyrics like “I remember when this music meant something” say it all. Proud to hail from San Diego, California, P.O.D. show their love for the sunshine state on “Always Southern California.” Diving into the band’s deeper side, “Circles” speaks of being stuck in your own mind, plagued by confusion and voices.
One of the best qualities of P.O.D.’s music is the band’s ability to drop good feelings and an irresistible message into their sound. This is showcased among a number of cuts on Circles including the twisted rhymes of “Panic Attack.” Then, “On The Radio” talks about loving a song that never gets attention from radio (“They never play it on the radio, But we still rock it on our stereo”). Channelling Sublime (“Santeria”), the Reggae infused “Fly Away” is a beautifully catchy and freeing tune, wishing for a utopia where only love matters.
On the next two tracks, P.O.D. once again tackle serious subject matter as anyone who has ever felt misunderstood can relate to “Listening For The Silence” while “Dreaming” wishes for a more desirable world to raise our kids in (“What happens if we lose our way?”). More island vibes are present on “Domino” before the sinister groove of “Soundboy Killa” kicks it in the only way P.O.D. can – full of energy. Completing Circles, Sandoval screams out his angst from the unexpected loss of a close friend on the cathartic rocker “Home.”
For any P.O.D. fans out there, Circles persists to maintain the band’s journey in delivering music that reaches people beyond the album’s catchy grooves. The substantial lyrical content shows P.O.D.’s dedication to spreading music that will make fans reminisce about family, friends, and the blessings of life. In essence, P.O.D. is a grateful band who believe in music, and Circles is another prime example. For these reasons, Cryptic Rock gives Circles 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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