P.O.D used rap core and thrash metal guitars with angst driven song writing to become one America's top most Alt metal bands in the late 90s. Revolutionary themes filled in their music with religious connotations; they have often been labeled as a Christian metal band something they vehemently deny. Lead singer and principal songwriter Sonny Sandoval has grown to express his pain and anguish over the loss of his mother who died at an early age.

P.O.D - Alt Metal Superheroes

"Beer smelling, dirty wall to wall, low ceilings. It's special. It'll be unannounced shows, just last minute things. It's special. We want kids to hear new P.O.D. stuff with a couple hundred kids" - Sonny Sandoval - singer POD (remark on playing small cities)

The Youth of the Nation

P.O.D used rap core and thrash metal guitars with angst driven song writing to become one America's top most Alt metal bands in the late 90s. Revolutionary themes filled in their music with religious connotations; they have often been labeled as a Christian metal band something they vehemently deny. Lead singer and principal songwriter Sonny Sandoval has grown to express his pain and anguish over the loss of his mother who died at an early age.

This would give POD music a maturity and emotional quotient missing in the rap core genre. The band's unique style has infused even reggae into metal in latter albums. Album sales of 10 million world and three Grammy nominations, their biggest moment is the song "Youth of the Nation", its anthemic chorus with school children reminds you of the free spirited as well as rebellious stand of a certain Pink Floyd masterpiece.

Formation of POD

The roots of the band can be traced to 1991 when guitarist Marco Curiel and drummer Wuv Bernardo started jamming together without a lead vocalist. The drummer's cousin Sonny Sandoval joined the band to keep him from thinking about the death of his mother. They started doing covers and writing their own music, as they recruited a bass player and produced their first demo. Signing to Rescue Records (created by Wuv's father); they released three albums "Snuff the Punk", "Brown" and "Payable on Death Live". The live album saw a punk-reggae jams reminiscent the Police.

Breaking into Mainstream

After performing gigs in clubs and theaters, they signed to major label Atlantic Records in 1998. Their first major label release "The Fundamental Elements of Southtown" which spawned semi-hit single "Southtown". POD's videos also started gaining ground for their originality and vision. The album was certified platinum.

It was their second album which gave them mainstream recognition and critical acclaim. Released in Sept 2001, the band's seminal effort "Satellite" reached No.6 on the album charts on the strength of the anthemic "Youth of the Nation". The band chose the records the chorus sung by school children seem to have enhanced the sound and its cult classic appeal. The band went on a tour cementing their super star status among the rap-core genre. The album has thus far been certified triple platinum.

Payable by Death

In 2003, the band were given a huge blow as their guitar player and founder Marco Curiel quit the band to focus on his side project. He was replaced Jason Truby, who added his unique guitar playing flare to the band.

The fifth album "Payable by Death" was released in 2003, to mix reviews. However it was the cover which sparked a debate for its occult theme. The album was produced by Howard Benson, who was looking for a shift in their rapcore sound to more melodic heavy metal. The album was richly produced and with the dark themed lyrics it was a shift in their direction. The album debut in the top 10 and has been certified Gold. The single "Will you" and "Change the World" were hits.

The next album "Testify" was released in and received critical acclaim for using hip-hop beats with their signature trashing guitar sound. It was not a commercial success but POD went on a world tour titled "Warriors Tour 2: Guilty by Association" in support of the album.

The Guitar Player Returns

In 2006, P.O.D announced online that they had left Atlantic Records and within a month they signed with Rhino Records. They released a Greatest Hits album aptly titled "POD Greatest Hits - The Atlantic Years". Before the end of the year Marco Curiel returned to the delight of their fans.

After recording and writing sessions for nearly a year, the band released a new album in 2008 titled "When Angels and Serpents Dance". The album with its widely hailed album cover was received with mixed reviews. They were now experimenting and taking a few risks. The reggae flavored "I'll be there" was unlike anything the band had done before and was a reggae tune with a heavy bass line. The album seemed to have shocked some of the hard core fans who wanted a return to the old sound which made the band famous.

POD is at the cusp of producing some very interesting albums and takes their legacy to the next level.

• The acronymPOD, which is the name of Sonny's band, stands for Payable On Death
• The POD album Satellites has the dubious distinction of being released on the day on infamy - Sept 11, 2001
• POD's signature song "Youth of the Nation" was parodied by Weird Al Yankovic in his song :Angry White Polka Boy"

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