Album Of The Week: Satellite by P.O.D.

One of the premier bands to ever come out of the Nu-Metal scene has always been the very underrated Christian Nu-Metal group P.O.D. (Payable On Death). This group from San Diego, California had been cutting their teeth on the scene for a little while before they gained recognition for the album The Fundamental Elements of Southtown. But the album that helped define the band’s fourth album Satellite which came out on September 11, 2001. The album once again featured Sonny Sandoval (Vocals), Marcos Curiel (Guitars), Traa Daniels (Bass), and Wuv Bernardo (Drums) while the album was produced by Howard Benson and P.O.D.. Despite the idea of the album coming out on the worst day in American History, the album did very well for the band as it peaked at number six on the Billboard Top 200 charts as it sold over 133,000 copies in the first week and it spent five straight weeks in the top 10. The album sold over seven million records worldwide (3 million in the US) and it placed at 137 on Billboards Top 200 albums of the decade (2000-2009). The album also had three different songs nominated for a Grammy despite not winning any of them and it shows you how amazing the record was.

1. Set It Off– A kick ass way to kick off the album with a track that is so full of energy when it needs and melodic when it needs to be as well. The track is all about getting up and realizing that you have to stick up for yourself and be proud. 5/5

2. Alive– The first track released off the album that helped sooth times during 9/11 in a track that is all about knowing that life is so beautiful that we are lucky to be alive. The track was nominated for a Grammy for Bets Hard Rock Performance in 2002. 5/5

3. Boom– Another high octane, high energy track that bumps in this track that is all about the band’s rise from nothing to the top. 5/5

4. Youth Of A Nation– A very dark and melodic track that was inspired by a tragedy. The band was on their way to rehearsal when they were stuck in traffic. They found out the reason was because their was a school shooting and after the album’s release was delayed they wrote this track. The track was nominated for a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2003. 5/5

5. Celestial– a very cool instrumental from the band that segways nicely into the next track. 5/5

6. Satellite– a very cool and inspirational track from the band that is all about God and how he looks down and watches us. It’s like saying to yourself that you know things are good because God is always watching over me. 5/5

7. Ridiculous– a rock track with a more reggae feel to it and that could be because the track features Jamaican reggae artist Eek-a-Mouse. 4.5/5

8. The Messenjah-a cool track that is all about how P.O.D. have established that they will always speak the word of Jah no matter what until death so they are the messenjahs. 4.5/5

9. Guitarras de Amor– The track title translates to guitars of love and this is another instrumental track that blends some Latin guitar playing into it. 5/5

10. Anything Right– a very melodic track from the band that features Christian Lindskog of Swedish group Blindside. The verses are very melodic, but the chorus is intense as Sonny claims that no matter what he does, he an’t do anything right. I think the track is basically saying we should show more love because not everyone is like us. 4.5/5

11. Ghetto– Another melodic track that has a lot of hope for the world in it’s lyrics as Sonny believes that the world believes in love. It’s basically preaching that love is basically the answer. 4.5/5

12. Masterpiece Conspiracy– an OK track on the album that is all about how this band is a family and that everything they have they have worked for so no one outside the circle can claim a slice. 4/5

13. Without Jah, Nothin– an in your face punk style track (with a little reggae mixed in too) that features HR of Bad Brains on the track whose lyrics basically says that nothing good comes out of this world with out God. 4/5

14. Thinking About Forever– a track that is semi acoustic in this song that Sonny wrote for his mother who passed away. He hopes that she is proud of him. 4.5/5

15. Portrait– The last track on the album that was nominated for a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2003. The track is a metal track with a little bit of a punk feel to it that talks about how people have taken a beautiful thing like God and they have distorted his teachings and who he is. 5/5

My Final Thoughts– This at the time was the last album that Marcos would be on with the band until 2008’s When Angels & Serpents Dance. This was one heck of a follow up to Fundamental…, but it set the standard for the band moving forward that they have had to top. These are literally some of the nicest guys in the business which is why I love this band and have a lot of respect for them. So, I am going to give this album 4.8 stars out of five for a final grade.

P.O.D. Unleash This Goes Out To You

One of my favorite bands and all around nice guys from the Nu Metal era that is still kicking it to this day in P.O.D. (Payable On Death) has unleashed some important info for fans of the band. The band released information on the upcoming release of their new album The Awakening which is due out August 21ST. In an interview with Billboard, singer Sonny Sandoval said, “The Awakening is meant to be listened to in its entirety. Every song ultimately explores a character dealing with life, making mistakes, fighting, trying. But we also live in a singles-type world, and it works on that level, too.” Traa Daniel (Bass) added, “[It’s] definitely an evolution from where we’ve come from. It’s this amazing piece of art that we’ve been able to put together as four guys who are like brothers — this is really special.” The band also unleashed a new track for all of the fans to hear and the track This Goes Out To You is also dedicated to the fans. The song is exactly what fans would expect from a P.O.D. track where it’s bumpin and it has a kick ass groove to it. Sandoval spoke about the origin of the track and why Producer Howard Benson was a big part of it stating, “Howard said, ‘Let’s do this for the fans who have been there for 23 years, who are growing with you and love your band and get you and your bigger-picture ideas, but let’s also make it accessible for other listeners and fans.” Fans can pre-order an autographed copy of the new record, but it’s limited to 500 copies so get it while it’s still available by going here. Check out the song below: