Retro Insider - "P.O.D."

We're now ready to talk about a group who has had success in both the Christian and mainstream markets.
They have toured with Korn, played at the 2000 Ozzfest festival and rubbed shoulders with the biggest names in rock.  We're talking about Payable on Death, aka P.O.D.
The exact date of P.O.D.’s formation is unknown, but it was in the early nineties. It began as the band Eschatos, as common jam sessions were conducted by drummer Wuv Bernardo and lead guitaritst Marcus Curiel.  Vocalist Sonny Sandoval became a Christian and was asked to join the group by his cousin Bernardo.  They also recruited bassist Traa Daniels in 1994.  In 1994 they signed with Rescue Records and recorded three albums: 1994’s Snuff the Punk, 1996’s Brown, and 1997’s Payable on Death Live.  In 1997, Essential Records offered a huge contract but Sonny said no saying God had bigger plans for P.O.D. In 1998, they signed with Atlantic Records, and they gave their fans a sneak-peak of their upcoming album  The Warrior’s EP.  In 1999, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown was released. One song went number 1 and three songs were featured on the soundtrack for the movie "Little Nicky". The album also went platinum.
In 2001, on September 11, the world changed forever. So did P.O.D.’s career with the release of Satellite. The album had the hits "Alive", which became a song of hope and went number 1 and "Youth of the Nation", inspired by recent school shootings.  The album also went triple platinum.  However, in 2003, the band nearly split with the departure of Curiel, but the band hired Living Sacrifice guitarist Jason Truby and continued on.  Also, later in 2003, the band released Payable on Death, moving away from their traditional rapcore sound to darker metal.  The album was banned by 85% of Christian bookstores due to its “occult” cover, but it did go gold though.
In late 2005, they gave the fans The Warrior’s EP 2 to build anticipation for the new album.  Then, in 2006, Testify was given to the world.  The songs were successful and the band was involved with WWE at Wrestlemania 22 and Rey Mesterio’s theme song.  In 2006, they also announced their divorce from Atlantic Records.  They would sign with Rhino.  They then released a greatest hits record called Greatest Hits: The Atlantic Years.
At the end of 2006, Jason Truby left the band to be rejoined by Marcos Curiel.  Curiel made his return New Years Eve on the Jimmy Kimmel show.  In 2007, the band signed with INO records.  Then, in 2008 they released When Angels and Serpents Dance.  In 2008, the band played at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for the Harvest Crusade and joined the Music as a Weapon tour with Disturbed and others, and in 2009, they were at Disney’s Night of Joy festival.
The question now is, will P.O.D. being leaving a legacy for their fans?  The band’s sound has been compared to Korn, Limp Biscuit, Kid Rock, Rage Against the Machine, and Santana.  They have been praised for remaining faithful as “sheep in the midst of wolves,” yet some have criticized them for touring with secular bands.  Nevetheless, their commitment to Christ is their focus, and the impression is given that even their non-Christian fans would be disappointed if they tried to hide it.  So, perhaps it is safe to say that no matter what has come, or may come in the future, Payable On Death has made their mark in both the Christian and secular music worlds, and we may have only seen the beginning!
For more info, visit http://www.payableondeath.com/