P.O.D. has been teasing the arrival of their upcoming studio album Veritas, which so far has included a new single "Drop" featuring Lamb Of God vocalist Randy Blythe.
The song is a total banger, with Sonny Sandoval's vocals riding a funky/electronic vibe, a grinding counterpart chorus by Blythe, and a massive breakdown around the 2:30 minute-mark – all of which pointed at the band being out for blood in the heaviness department.
Now, in a recent interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program Wired In The Empire, Sandoval said that the new album is "just rocking all the way through." He also revealed that renowned session drummer Robin Diaz laid down the drum tracks, marking the first P.O.D. LP that doesn't feature longtime drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo Jr.
"I would say this album is definitely more rocking. It was a different writing process because of COVID and all that stuff. It wasn't like we could all sit in a room like we're used to. So a lot of it was just piecing things together. And so it was basically song by song. And then by the time we have an album's worth, it's kind of, like, that's just what it's supposed to be. And a lot of people are saying, 'Did you guys get to do your reggae kind of swing, any more punk-type stuff?' And, actually, I think it's just rocking all the way through."
Commenting about Robin's contribution to Veritas Sandoval added: "He tours with all the bands, but he's pretty much one of the — I would say next to Josh Freese, he's probably the main man in Hollywood. And he's an old-school friend of ours, and, dude, he came in and just nailed it. So there's a different feel on that too, because it's the first time without my cousin Wuv. So it's a rocking feel."
In a recent interview with Ethan Jackson of Topeka's rock radio station KDVV/V100, guitarist Marcos Curiel said the album is due out sometime in spring 2024, and it also features vocalists Tatiana Shmayluk of Jinjer and Cove Reber, formerly of Scary Kids Scaring Kids and Saosin.
"I can't wait for you guys to hear it, man. It's pretty cool. We also got Tatiana from Jinjer on a track. And we have Cove Reber. He sang for Scary Kids and Saosin. And he also sings in a new band called Dead American. He's on a track."
