Review P.O.D. “Veritas”

P.O.D. was founded in 1992 and the guys were right on time. It was the beginning of a wave of nu metal and modern metal bands that rolled over the metal scene in the 90s. Thunderous riffing and massive energy was what these bands brought, and it was the infectious groove that allowed these groups to create an explosive musical vibe.

Even though the hype ebbed many years ago, bands like P.O.D. are still present, and they are releasing a new album this spring with “Veritas,” their first studio album since “Circles” in 2018.

“Veritas”, which means “truth” in Latin, is a meaningful title with a theme that resonates with songs like “Lies We Tell Ourselves”. The title says it all. The song is about our inner lies and the hope that they won’t come true. The song itself is a rather melodic one and is anchored more in alternative a la Weezer than in Nu Metal. Still, “Lies We Tell Ourselves” is a song that describes the range of “Veritas”, especially when compared to “Drop”.

The opener is an angry song with a rebellious heart. Equipped with a massive groove and a guest appearance by Lamb Of God‘s Randy Blythe, the track is one of the hardest racks on the album. Especially the jump-around chorus is an energizer and a great counterpart to the few quieter moments.
The sonorous “I Got That” is next and shows why the fusion of metal and rap produces such an addictive sound. Again, it is the groove that captivates and the song immediately shows its crushing power.

Tatiana Shmayluk (Jinjer) is another guest singer on “Veritas” and her vocals are a great addition to the anthemic “Afraid to Die”. “Breaking” is a darker and partly calmer song, still with some sonic outbursts. It’s a very emotional tune and it’s the rebellious spirit that breaks through with “I Won’t Break Down”.
Furthermore there is “This is My Life”, a song that has more of a punk vibe with Cove Reber adding some vocals to the mix.

“Veritas” is an angry and furious album that shows why P.O.D. are still one of the most important bands in modern metal. The guys have established their musical trademarks and have been able to maintain them over the past decades. This album connects to the 90’s and at the same time every song on “Veritas” sounds fresh and very dynamic.