P.O.D. have unveiled the first taste of their upcoming twelfth studio album with “Outbreak,” a particularly heavy new single featuring Norma Jean vocalist Cory Brandan.
The track arrives alongside a zombie-themed music video directed by JT Ibanez, whose previous credits include work with Atreyu and Sevendust. The apocalyptic visual matches the song’s subject matter, which was inspired by the band’s longtime interest in zombie movies and video games.
P.O.D. vocalist Sonny Sandoval explained that the collaboration with Brandan was intended to match the song’s heavier direction.
“This is possibly one of the heaviest songs P.O.D. has ever written, so we wanted to showcase a guest vocalist who reflected that. Cory’s voice and tone bring a specific intensity and command that draws you in. Our voices together deliver an authoritative energy that matches the power of the song.”
Guitarist Marcos Curiel said the band’s fascination with the zombie apocalypse ultimately helped shape the concept behind the track, adding that the song intentionally plays with the boundary between fiction and reality.
“As avid fans of zombie apocalypse, video games, and movies, it seemed only fitting to compose a song about this topic. The song delicately straddles the line between nonfiction and fiction. It’s fun yet hard-hitting, bridging the gap between what’s real and what’s not.”
Curiel’s initial guitar idea also immediately connected with Sandoval. According to the vocalist, the demo arrived with “Outbreak” already serving as its working title, and the combination of the riff and warning sample gave him the direction he needed for the lyrics.
“Marcos sent me a rough guitar demo, which had the working title of ‘OUTBREAK.’ This by far was the heaviest idea yet, and I immediately texted him how much I loved it. Once I heard it, I knew there was no need to change the title and use it as the lyrical theme. The guitar riff and warning sample immediately gave me a frantic, apocalyptic, doomsday-type vibe.”
Bassist Traa Daniels similarly sees the song as one that should translate well to the live setting, while pointing to its zombie-inspired concept as another reason the track stands apart.
“This track is destined to be a crowd pleaser, with the apocalyptic overtone and a zombie-inspired theme that can be closely related to many current events. This was a fun song to record in the studio and is one of my personal all-time favorites.”
“Outbreak” is the first single from P.O.D.’s forthcoming twelfth studio album, which the band completed earlier this year with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Will Yip, known for his work with Turnstile and Code Orange.
Further details on the album, including its title and release date, have yet to be announced.
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