Album Review: P.O.D. – Veritas (Mascot Records)

Platinum-selling rock juggernaut P.O.D. will release their 11th album, ‘Veritas’ on May 3rd, 2024, via Mascot Records.

I’m of the age where I can remember when P.O.D. first rose to prominence, and while I was finding my feet in the rock and metal world, their music never really resonated with me. I quickly stopped paying attention, and was quite surprised a few years back to find out that they were still around. I was even more surprised to find that I quite liked what they were doing too (specifically the ‘Circles’ album).

Maybe it was their musical maturity, maybe it was my own, or maybe it was combination of both. Either way, I figured I might have been missing out so did a backwards binge and found a band that had been improving release by release. Which meant I was excited to hear what this new album offered.

Does it deliver?

Well, on the guest front it certainly does. With the album kicking off with Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe making an appearance on the intense Drop. P.O.D. bringing the heavy groove and adding a touch of sinisterness.

As much of an anthem as this opener is, it’s Afraid to Die that really delivers a truly anthemic sound. A track that utilises the wonderful vocals of Jinjer’s Tatiana Shmayluk and has such a ‘P.O.D.’ chorus, it’s impossible to not smile.

The last guest is Saosin’s Cove Reber, and while I’m not particularly familiar with this band or the artist, I won’t complain about the punk-infused rock banger that is This My Life.

As for the rest of the album, there’s some mighty fine stuff going on elsewhere. I Got That is a ‘clock-turning’ back track with some solid gold riffs. Dead Right combines frenzied nu-metal energy with erratic melody. Breaking has the vocals spitting some real bars but hits its stride with the melody that then leads into a soaring chorus. Lay Me Down (Roo’s Song) has harmonious passion, P.O.D. at their most epic sounding.

The middle of portion of the album is then capped off with I Won’t Bow Down, and a dynamic P.O.D. groove that hits all the highs of their sound. Familiar, but fresh, and proof that focusing on what they do so well, is what works best for them.

Which means there’s little to complain about with the latter part of the record. Even when we get something that has the poppy vibes of Lies We Tell Ourselves or something focused so heavily on the crossover alternative sound with We Are One (Our Struggle). If you’ve enjoyed everything up to this stage, then you’ll enjoy these tracks too.

The finale of Feeling Strange shouldn’t be ignored though, as it is a big closer with a strong chorus. It doesn’t quite hit with the force of other tracks, but it’s still an enjoyable finish to another slice of P.O.D. quality. I think I can call myself a fan now.

P.O.D. – Veritas Track Listing:

1. Drop (Feat. Randy Blythe)
2. I Got That
3. Afraid To Die (Feat. Tatiana Shmayluk)
4. Dead Right
5. Breaking
6. Lay Me Down (Roo’s Song)
7. I Won’t Bow Down
8. This Is My Life (Feat. Cove Reber)
9. Lies We Tell Ourselves
10. We Are One (Our Struggle)
11. Feeling Strange

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