POD: Death Metal.

The release of the POD’s latest album Satellite could barely have had a more auspicious release date. The follow up to the widely acclaimed Fundamental Elements Of Southtown, POD’s second major label disc landed in record stores on September 11, the date of the World Trade Centre attacks.

“For the rest of my life I’m going to remember it because our record came out on the same day,” explained guitarist Marcos recently, trying to add some perspective to the unfolding events. “We didn’t know how relevant this CD was going to be until the tragedy happened. I’ll never really be happy for that day; we were just in shock. In spite of this tragedy that happened we are really thankful that we’re always written positive music. That’s why we knew there was a place for us, and what we’re doing.”

“It was a really emotional time for us. We had worked so hard up to that point, as far as all the years of stuff to get us here, and then to see this stuff happen it’s just not as important any more. It seemed minor with what was going on. The fact that some people are able to get something from our music next to all these things that are happening makes us feel real good.”

Ten years into their musical careers, POD are still only just finding their place. After releasing almost a half dozen independent albums, the band were snapped up as an overnight success for the release of Southtown. While that record certainly hinted at the capabilities of the band, it’s their new disc that really cements their place in the nu-metal pyramid.

Instantly more striking, both in it’s vision and in it’s musical dynamicism, Satellite strives, and attains something of a unique balance. Not only do the band have the energy and musical drive of the genre’s finest, their strong spiritual background drives a very positive message through what they do.

“It’s not necessarily about us being a Christian band, it’s about spirituality and faith.” Marcos explained. “As far as our music goes I’d say that what we believe inspires what we sing about, but in no way are we trying to change people or make people like us. Our beliefs are personal, but we’re just a rock band that plays music for all people.”

“In a way I think a lot of people are getting tired of being angry. It’s very natural for us to be positive, that’s how we are on and off the stage. A lot of bands, they act angry or sad on stage. As soon as they get off they’re stoked because they just got a new car. It’s mostly gimmick onstage. It’s not a gimmick with us, I think people are realising that POD is for real.”

“It would be so easy to just sing songs about sex and drugs and rock and roll. No offence to the bands that do, but you know, there’s much more to life than that.

With three years between the release of the last record and the new disc, the added sense of musical maturity has really come to the fore.

“We were listening to bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. They were heavy, but at the same time there was a way they played their songs, and put things in order that just take you on a ride. We wanted to do that with out music. We’ve always listened to great bands. There are good bands and there are great bands and we’ve always strived to be great. With the last record a lot of people jumped to conclusions and just automatically categorised us, but there was obviously a lot of stuff on there that people didn’t listen to. Their impression was just what they saw from one song.”

Another factor in the growth of the band came from concerns that long term fans were feeling alienated by what seemed at the time a rapid-fire rise to success.

“It’s been a ten year overnight success,” Marcos laughed. “We’ve always made honest records, and I think that this is the most honest record we’ve ever done.”

“We’re hoping people will give it a chance if they are really music lovers, to really understand what we are trying to do. We don’t write for radio or for the industry. You should always write what you feel, and if people like what we’re doing then that’s cool, and if they don’t, then that’s cool too. We just put our heart into every single song. That’s how we’ve always been, and we don’t want to ever loose that focus.”