New P.O.D. Single Meshes Rap-Rock and Empowering Lyrics
Christian rap-rockers Payable on Death (P.O.D.) just unleashed their first new song in years, “On Fire,” and the track is classic P.O.D., complete with rap-rock vocals, reggae grooves and cathartic lyrics.
Reunited guitarist Marcos Curiel opens the rock track with a snake-like riff, before Sonny Sandoval’s familiar, punchy vocals chime in with this attention-getting request:
“Stop, drop and roll. I’m on fire / Come into my house and I set you on fire.”
Screams layer in the background, and the rhythm really moves and chugs along. The rap-rock influences are all over this vignette, and the guys even allude to fellow ‘90s rap-rockers Rage Against the Machine in the song’s early verses: “I was born Raging Against the Machine before…”
As the bridge breaks in, the chug-a-lug rhythm and dramatic build flash back to P.O.D.’s “Boom” and “Set it Off,” from 2001’s Satellite. The lyrics repeat and crescendo: “Turn the heat up my soul ignites / Consumed by the fire let us burn tonight.”
As the bridge ends, the music stops, and Sandoval’s echo-y vocals cry out “Turn the heat up!” before plunging back into the main riff.
“On Fire” certainly shows the guys doing what they do best: making raw, rough, charging rock that fills your heart with emotion. Besides, why mess with a winning formula? Catch the band on the Rock Allegiance tour this fall, and look for their forthcoming, Howard Benson-produced (Daughtry, Theory of a Deadman) album to arrive in early 2012. Stoked for it!
Ink Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Splatters
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