Satellite (CD - 2001)

Additional personnel: Joel Derouin (violin); Larry Corbett (cello); Howard Benson (keyboards, loops); MikeSki (programming); H.R., Eek-A-Mouse, Christian Lindskog, D.J. Harper, Jonnie Hall, Colin Sasaki, Nils Montan, Laurie Schillinger, Meagan Moore, Ayana Williams, Healy Moore (background vocals).

Recorded at Bay 7, Valley Village, California and Sparky Dark, Calabassas, California.

"Alive" was nominated for the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

"Youth Of The Nation" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance. "Portrait" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance.

Personnel: Marcos (vocals, guitar); Wuv (vocals, drums); Joel Derouin (violin); Larry Corbett (cello); Howard Benson (keyboards, loops); Christian Lindskog (background vocals).

Recording information: Bay 7, Valley Villlage, CA; Sparky Dark, Calabassas, CA.

Editor: Bobby Brooks.

Coming off its breakthrough 1999 major-label debut THE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF SOUTHTOWN, P.O.D. returns with SATELLITE, a stunning follow-up whose mix of messages and musical styles puts them head-and-shoulders above their rap-metal peers. Fans get plied with crunching guitars while frontman Sonny Sandoval's rap-flavored vocals perfectly complement the band's rhythmic assault on the bare-knuckle single "Alive" and the equally brutal "Boom." Still proudly brandishing its Christian beliefs, P.O.D. bypasses proselytizing while employing arrangements that go beyond the typical nu-metal barrage.

A children's choir is featured on a chiming treatise about school violence ("Youth Of The Nation"), Rage-flavored staccato riffs pepper a testimony to faith (the title track), and Sandoval's late mother is paid tribute with a gorgeous elegy overflowing with acoustic guitar, harmonies and a groove ("Thinking About Forever"). As if stylistic maturation weren't enough, P.O.D. also pays tribute to their influences via some well-executed guest shots. Bad Brains vocalist H.R. appears on the kind of reggae/hardcore hybrid that his old band mastered ("Without Jah, Nothin'") while toaster Eek-A-Mouse impresses on the mellower-but-no-less intriguing dub-flavored workout ("Ridiculous"). minimize