P.O.D. Set to Unleash First Single from Upcoming Album This August
In a recent chat with 99.7 The Blitz radio station, P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel unveiled some electrifying news: the band has wrapped up the recording of their highly anticipated new studio album, the follow-up to 2024's critically acclaimed Veritas. The sessions took place in the gritty heart of Whitman, South Philadelphia, under the skilled guidance of Grammy-nominated producer Will Yip at his newly established Memory Music Studios.
Curiel shared insights about the whirlwind recording process: "We did vocals, guitars, bass, everything that needed to be recorded, in just 12 days in Philadelphia. Now it’s onto mixing. We dove in with Will Yip, who's made waves recently with Grammy wins for TURNSTILE, alongside his impressive body of work with hardcore legends like TITLE FIGHT and QUICKSAND. We had a window to create and we seized it, cranking out these tracks that we’ve been crafting since October."
When pressed about a release date for the new P.O.D. album, Curiel was optimistic: "While we don’t have a release date or a title yet, new music is definitely on the horizon. We’re hoping to drop a new single for the public in August, and we’re buzzing with excitement because we genuinely believe in this new material."
Reflecting on how this upcoming album will differentiate itself from Veritas, Curiel noted, "That album served as an introduction to our evolution, and this new record is an extension—yet it feels fresh and invigorating." He added, "We can’t wait for the world to hear it. As artists, we love our classic hits, but we’re not finished creating. We want to rock harder and hope our fans connect with the music as much as we did during its creation."
Earlier this month, Curiel elaborated on their collaboration with Yip, stating, "Will has a storied history, working with everyone from CIRCA SURVIVE to CODE ORANGE, and most recently, he’s garnered accolades for TURNSTILE. We didn’t choose him just because of his Grammy status; we’ve long admired his work, and he’s a fan of ours too, which made this partnership feel organic. When he expressed his desire to produce for us, we jumped at the chance."
Curiel proudly revealed, "We tracked 13 to 14 songs in just 12 days. It set a strong tone for the project—being prepared can be a game changer. The results? Absolutely killer. We’re beyond proud of what we’ve accomplished."
Discussing the experience of recording outside of California for the first time, Curiel expressed, "It was an incredible experience." Bassist Mark "Traa" Daniels chimed in, adding, "Sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone is essential. The familiarity of California is comforting, but being in a new environment allowed us to focus intensely, pulling 10- to 12-hour shifts without distractions." Curiel reflected on their daily routine: "We had a 10-minute walk from our Airbnb to the studio, allowing us to absorb the rich culture and vibe of South Philly. I felt like Rocky, man—everywhere you look, there’s character and history."
When asked about the unique qualities Yip brought to the recording process, Curiel stated, "He’s deeply committed and gets what our band is all about. That understanding was crucial for me as a musician. His background spans hip-hop to indie rock and hardcore, and we felt that synergy would resonate perfectly with our sound. And he didn’t try to change us—he wanted to enhance what P.O.D. is and make it fresh."
Vocalist Sonny Sandoval echoed these sentiments: "Working with Will was invigorating. His enthusiasm for our music was contagious. It's rare to find a producer who respects your band and brings genuine energy to the table. Many are just in it for the paycheck, but Will is different; he chooses to work with bands he genuinely admires."