Testify (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Jacken, Amy Terrin, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. (vocals); Joel Shearer (guitar); Suzie Katayama (cello); Glen Ballard (keyboards).

Additional personnel: Matisyahu, Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E..

Audio Mixer: Chris Lord-Alge.

Recording information: Aerowave Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Henson Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA; John Phillips Estate, Palm Springs, CA; Signature Sound, San Diego, CA; The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA.

Photographers: John Rubeli; Bigness; Sir Chill; James Minchin; Kevin Estrada.

On its 2006 album, TESTIFY, the Christian nu-metal band P.O.D. gets back in touch with its rap roots, after largely abandoning them on '03's PAYABLE ON DEATH. Producer Glen Ballard (renowned for his work with Alanis Morissette and Aerosmith, among others) bolsters the group's already fierce and formidable sound, allowing the guitars and vocals, in particular, to jump out at listeners. Assisting the long-running ensemble are Hasidic reggae wunderkind Matisyahu (who lends his melodic toasting to the soaring "Roots in Stereo" and the Jah-centric "Strength of My Life") and the Samoan-American hip-hop crew Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. (who contribute bold rhymes to the surprisingly R&B/pop-inflected "On the Grind"). Although these tracks indicate that P.O.D. is willing to delve into various styles, the California-based band is at its best when offering up majestic heavy-metal, most notably "This Time," which stands as one of the group's finest anthems. Although the nu-metal boom had come and gone by the time of this release, P.O.D. proves that it can thrive outside of rock trends on this committed and compelling disc. minimize