P.O.D. - Payable On Death

Tuesday 11th November 2003
P.O.D. - Payable On Death
P.O.D. - Payable On Death

STYLE: Hard Music
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 9149-8870
LABEL: Atlantic 7932202
FORMAT: CD Album
RRP: £2.50

Reviewed by Dustin Helgeson

IN THE MAINSTREAM

As an American here in the UK, I’d suggest “Brilliant! Smashing! Cracking!” are some British terms that could be used to describe this new release from San Diego-based hardcore/rock outfit P.O.D. In America, the expression might be: this album FREAKING ROCKS. Two multi-platinum selling albums later, P.O.D. seem only to continue building on the success. ‘Payable On Death’ picks up at a point where the band lost founding guitarist Marcos Curiel, known for his signature guitar sounds. The band chose to turn this potentially devastating occurrence into an opportunity to stay fresh by adding Jason Truby to the mix. Once a guitarist for Christian metal veterans Living Sacrifice, Truby’s rich musical vocabulary packs the album full of fresh energy. “Sleeping Awake”, which was released on the ‘Matrix: Reloaded’ soundtrack was the first single where Truby’s melodic, haunting guitar riffs shone. What a treat to find the song on the new album! The first official single from ‘Payable On Death’ is “Will You”, a powerful and passionate track screaming with emotion: “Shaken, mistaken, forsaken/It’s killing me…/Will you love me tomorrow?…/Will you stay with me today?” While P.O.D.’s sound is strikingly different from ‘Satellite’ and ‘The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown’, Sonny’s signature scream still works, as does his singing voice which has developed quite nicely. Reggae influenced vibes are still evident on “Execute The Sounds”. Essentially this is a melodic hardcore album, full of dark imagery, but offering hope, encouragement and inspiration. The instrumental “Eternal” deserves to replace Kenny G in elevators around the world, featuring refreshing guitars from industry veteran Phil Keaggy and from Truby, who adds his own stylings and nu-metal guitars. If you are a fan of P.O.D. or you follow current hardcore trends, you must buy ‘Payable On Death’. It is packed with the goods. As an added bonus, the album comes with a DVD full of insightful stuff about the band and their lives, as well as a rad featurette about Daniel Martin Diaz, the artist who created the amazing art packaged with the album. The making of ‘Payable On Death’ is a chrysalis from which P.O.D. has found re-birth, and wings. It’s true: P.O.D. is a better band now that Marcus Curiel has left. The reason? Truby is a more skillful guitarist. The new blood has brought new creativity and a rawness to P.O.D. With Curiel out of the picture, P.O.D. are now free to continue pushing the creative envelope. I predict this is a new start that will see the band making even more successful and confident strides in the mainstream. ‘Payable On Death’ lacks nothing. It’s simply excellent.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Anonymous in Nowhere, Nowhere @ 16:20 on Jun 17 2010

This is one of my favorite albums by them. The whole album has a dark, brooding, but fresh, with sounds of hope feel to it. Change The World, Revolution, Freedom Fighters, and Eternal are the best songs on the album. It grows on you, so listen to it multiple times.



Posted by Vincent in Poland @ 18:11 on Jun 10 2009

I totally agree with this review. P.O.D. was a better band when Marcos Curiel had left. Now he came back, and I hate their new album. Payable on Death and Testify was 2 best of their albums



Posted by jSun in Australia @ 02:12 on Feb 16 2007

To Dustin,

Check your attitude before you start slagging of about peoples abilities.

"It’s true: P.O.D. is a better band now that Marcus Curiel has left." Dustin Helgeson

This is not the type of atitude i would expect to find on a Christian website.

I have only just started listening to pod.

Their new song Going in blind is awsome, and it may not have been the same if anyone else had colaborated on it.

Dustin maybe you should read

http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Marcos_Return/25 540/p1/

And be thankful. What ever happens GOD is in control not human expectations of who thinks who is better.

Cheers



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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