ALBUM REVIEW: When Angels & Serpents Dance (reissue) – P.O.D.
P.O.D. (aka PAYABLE ON DEATH) have had quite the career so far. 2022 marks 30 years since the influential San Diego based nu-metal band came into fruition, and they are stronger than ever. It has been almost four years since the release of their tenth studio album Circles, so evidently we were due another body of work sometime soon. P.O.D.‘s next release is most certainly not a disappointment by any stretch of the imagination; they are reissuing their iconic 2008 album When Angels & Serpents Dance. This will surely please a lot of old school fans of the band as well as new, with the addition of a further three tracks included on the newer version – Don’t Fake It, Ridin’ With You and Walk On Water. The reissue of When Angels & Serpents Dance contains the full track listing from the original release, but completely remixed and remastered for a real treat.
It is very evident that when this album came out, it helped to catapult the band to super stardom, as did others such as 2001’s Satellite. From the first original track Addicted all the way through to the closer Rise Against, the songs sound even more impactful with the more modern production techniques bringing them even further to life. Additionally, lead vocalist Sonny Sandoval‘s rap style rants have even more grit and power than ever before, whereas Marcos Curiel‘s guitar work sounds undeniably fantastic throughout the entirety of this re-release, adding further lasting power to an already incredible album.
Songs such as Condescending and It Can’t Rain Every Day highlight how P.O.D. have managed to establish themselves as one of the most notable nu-metal acts of the 90s. The true talent of bassist and backing vocalist Traa Daniels and their rhythm guitarist, drummer and backing vocalist Wuv Barnardo is proven in spades. The guitar work is second to none, in particular the infectious bass line all the way through in the latter, which is made even better with the elevated modern production.
It is most certainly a welcome surprise for fans old and new to receive three bonus tracks here; none of them are included on the 2008 version and it is truly amazing to hear them at their fullest capacity with a 2022 sound. Don’t Fake It starts off in typical P.O.D. fashion, with a gritty nu-metal riff at the helm. By the time Sandoval‘s iconic vocals kick in, we are well and truly hooked. Ridin’ With You is not as hard hitting as the previous track, with a reggae-themed riff adding a completely different flavour that still works so well. The final bonus track Walk On Water is impactful right from the very start, with a heavy metal riff intertwined with some almost violent, chant-like vocals from Sandoval; it almost gives the impression of a cult-like mentality. Definitely one of the best bonus tracks for sure, it makes P.O.D. even more influential and inspiring than ever before.
While some would argue that most people have well and truly moved on from the nu-metal genre as a whole, P.O.D. are still here proving that the genre is alive and kicking with this excellent re-release of ultimately one of their greatest albums to date. Any fans of the original 2008 release will be undeniably more than satisfied with the outstanding quality of this re-issue, elevating P.O.D. to even further heights than ever before.
Rating: 9/10
When Angels & Serpents Dance (reissue) is set for release on October 14th via Mascot Records.
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